Articles

Definition of religion differs with the faith and common beliefs in a society.  However, a more acceptable and common explanation of Religion is a system of beliefs and practices by means of which a group of people struggle with the ultimate problem of human life. Religion is that system of activities and beliefs directed toward that which is perceived to be of sacred value and transforming power. There are over 7.6 billion people on the planet earth.  Most of them would declare that they are religious in some way.  Rough estimates are made that place people in the various traditions . Christianity: 2.3 billion Islam: 1.8 billion Hinduism: 1.2 billion Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist: 850 million Buddhism: 500 million Chinese traditional religion: 225 million primal-indigenous: 190 million Sikhism: 23 million Yoruba religion: 20 million Juche: 19 million Spiritism: 14 million Judaism: 14 million Baha'i: 6 million Jainism: 4 mil...

Religion helps in creating an ethical framework and also a regulator for values in day to day life. This particular approach helps in character building of a person. In other words, Religion acts as an agency of socialization. Thus, religion helps in building values like love, empathy, respect, and harmony. People are always on the quest of fulfilling the economic and material pursuits in today’s world. It is the religion which plays a crucial role in establishing our connection to the divine and developing the belief that there is a supreme energy that acts as a regulator in our day to day lives. Thus, the component of prayer, chants, hymns, etc. creates the spiritual bond. Religion also plays a crucial role for a person in giving a cultural identity. Each religion has festivals, traditions, mythologies which form a part of the tangible and intangible heritage of the country. Thus, religion contributes in order to protect this heritage and also adds to the diversity in the country...

Based on above definition and purpose of a religion, we will examine the term Islam from the perspective of a second most practiced religion as well as the fastest growing religion in the world. “Islam” is an Arabic term which means to submit one’s will to the will of God. Islam is a mono theistic religion that teaches that there is only one divine being, one supreme Creator of the universe. Muslims believe that Islam is the true religion of God revealed to humanity. It is a universal religion that can be practiced by anyone at any time and in every place. The central concept of this way of life is total submission to God. Islam is a complete, holistic way of living that covers every aspect of life. Islam leaves no stone unturned as it teaches mankind on how to behave in every area of life: individual, social, material, moral, ethical, legal, cultural, political, economic, and global.

A Muslim is anyone who submits their will to the one and only true God who is worthy of worship, “Allah” (God). A Muslim also believes in the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the last and final prophet of God. By submitting oneself and worshiping Allah (God), a Muslim attains peace through obedience to his commandments. Peace is a natural result of submitting to the will of Allah. For a person to become a Muslim and accept Islam as their faith, they must say and believe in the following phrase: La ilaha illa Allah. Muhammad Rasul Allah This sentence literally means “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger.” The sentence also means “There is none worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.” The moment a person says this phrase and begins to act upon it they become a Muslim. There is a common belief in Islam that every child is born a Muslim. His parents and society converts him to other ...

The first pillar of imaan (faith) in Islam is Belief in Allah. As Muslims, we believe in Allah in accordance with His beautiful names and attributes. Allah has revealed His names repeatedly in the Holy Quran primarily for us to understand who He is. Learning and memorizing the names of Allah will help us to identify the correct way to believe in Him. There is nothing more sacred and blessed than understanding the names of Allah and living by them. How do we expect to worship, love, fear and trust our Lord, The Almighty Allah, if we don’t know who He is? Allah says in the Quran: And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them.. (Quran 7:180) Allah – there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names. (Quran 20:8) He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. (Quran 59:24) Prophet Muhammad ( ﷺ ) said, “Allah has ninety-nine names, i.e. one-hundred minus one, and whoever knows them will go to Paradise.” ( Sa...