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THE INTRODUCTORY OF ISLAM MUHAMMAD AZMI LIM ABDULLAH
YAYASAN DAKWAH ISLAMIAH MALAYSIA
Contents A) The Five Pillars of Islam 1.
The Shahadah i) The Purpose of Shahadah
2.
To Perform Obligatory Solah (Prayer) i) The Purpose of Solah
3.
To Contribute Zakah (almsgiving) i) The Purpose of Zakah
4.
Swam (fasting) During the Month of Ramadhan i) The Purpose of Swam
5.
Performing the Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) i) The Purpose of Hajj
B)
The Definition of Iman (faith) The Law of God
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Belief in Allah Belief in His Malaikat (Angels) Belief in His Kitab (Books) Belief in His Nabi (Prophets) Belief in Akhirat (Judgement Day) Belief in Qadha and Qadar (Pre-measurement from Allah)
Buku: The Introductory Of Islam Penulis: Mohd. Azmi Lim Abdullah Halaman: kata Pengantar
BEING ISLAM is not by heritage nor through physical actions only. By announcing oneself a Muslim means to live wholeheartedly by this religion, abide by its law so it truely becomes one’s way of life. To have true faith and belief in Islam is prerequisite for all Muslims. He must submits or surrender completely to the will of Allah. This book is aimed specially for all the new reverts who have just accepted Islam as their new religion or to those interested in wanting to know more about Islam. This book is an early stage introduction to this holy religion. The writer uses very easy presentation, short and direct in introducing the principle rudiments in Islam and its faith in principle. The introduction which is made brief and general, facilitates the new reverts who have just understood and learned the basics of Islam without much pressure in these early stages. This will become an attractive and exciting factor in order to help them continue their interest in learning and deepening of their knowledge in Islam through reading and researches. It is hoped that this booklet will be of great assistance and benefits to all Muslims.
Datuk Haji Mohd. Nakhaie Haji Ahmad Yang Dipertua YAYASAN DAKWAH ISLAMIAH MALAYSIA
ISLAM MEANS complete submission or surrender to the will of Allah; Islam also means peace, and the way to achieve peace. It is obligatory for Muslims to know and to accept completely the five pillars of Islam and the six pillars of faith without doubt. The Five Pillars of Islam Islam has its pillars which support Islam just like the pillars of buildings. There are five pillars of Islam which act as the framework of a Muslim life. The five pillars are: the testimony of faith, known as the shahadah; prayer (solah); giving zakat (support of the needy); fasting during the month of Ramadhan; and pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.
1.The Shahadah (testimony of faith) The shahadah is the testimony of faith. It is the first pillar of Islam. Shahadah is the declaration that there is no God but Allah and the Prophet Muhammad SAW is the Messenger of Allah. The testimony of faith is saying, “ash hadu al la ilaha illallah, wa ash hadu an na Muhammadar Rasulullah (I bear witness that there is no god who has the right to be worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah),” with conviction. The purpose of shahadah The shahadah is the symbol of our surrender to Allah with complete submission, and commit to the will of Allah SWT. It also testifies unconditional belief in the words of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, to obey him as what he had commanded, abstain from whatever he prohibited, and worship Allah in the manner he prescribes. Thus, we say the shahadah with our tongues, with belief in our hearts, and do righteous good deeds. 2. To Perform Obligatory Solah (prayer) Solah (prayer) is the first, the highest and most solemn phenomenon and manifestation of worship for a Muslim. Solah is the first compulsory acts of devotion which follow the profession of faith; it was the first obligation imposed upon the early Muslims. It is perhaps the most difficult command to follow, demanding constant effort and self-discipline in each and every day of one’s life. But it is also the one which brings the most far-reaching benefits, partly due to the frequency and regularity of its performance. It is obligatory for a Muslim to perform the solah fardhu five times a day. The purpose of solah Solah is the simplest and most direct way for a Muslim to show his gratitude to Allah. In
performing the solah, one submit s wholeheartedly to the Almighty. It is the act of one being humble, of one’s helplessness, standing in the presence of Allah, asking for His blessings, forgiveness and guidance. Solah is the expression of religious consciousness in which a Muslim put himself into relation with Allah. Solah also expresses the communion of brotherhood in Islam, as every Muslim throughout the whole world will perform uniformed movements and recite verses from the Al Quran, facing the same kiblah, with the same intention (nawaitu towards Allah). 3. To Contribute Zakah (alms-giving) Zakah is an obligatory alms-giving due to wealth, with certain conditions. Muslims who have wealth remaining over the year, after paying for their own basic needs, must pay a certain percentage to help others. Zakah is distributed to specific groups of people. Wealth is a gift from Allah. We gained it through opportunities provided by Him, and we should therefore be duly grateful. In Islam, everything belongs to Allah. Therefore, whatever wealth Allah enables us to earn, thus, becomes amanah (trust) from Him which we should care for and use accordingly to the principles which had been set in Islam. This is so that maximum benefit may be achieved without causing harm to oneself or others. Adhering to these principles will ensure that our wealth contributes to, or is part of, our worship to Allah and prevents us from becoming enslaved to it. The purpose of zakah The word zakah means ‘purification’ and ‘growth’. In significance, our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion of our wealth to be given to those in need. This can be likened to the pruning of plants - the cutting off shoots and branches encourages new growth. Zakah cleanses not only the wealth of Muslims but also the souls. Zakah is to be given to the poor, the needy and to those who collect them. Those whose hearts are to be reconciled, those seeking freedom from captives, those in debts, the wayfarers and those in the way of Allah are also entitled to receive the zakah. 4. Saum (fasting) During t he Month of Ramadhan Ramadhan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is during this month that Muslims all over the world perform the saum (fasting). Ramadhan is to be observed as a month of fasting with complete abstinence from food, drink, smoking and other sensual pleasures from dawn to sunset. The purpose of saum Fasting is proven to be beneficial to health but most importantly, it is a method of self-purification and self-restraint. Fasting draws us closer to Allah, strengthens our faith and taqwa. In the month of Ramadhan, we tend to do good deeds all day instead of bad; we watch our tongues and do not fight with each other. We learn not to be greedy and selfish.
performing the solah, one submits wholeheartedly to the Almighty. It is the act of one being humble, of one’s helplessness, standing in the presence of Allah, asking for His blessings, forgiveness and guidance. Solah is the expression of religious consciousness in which a Muslim put himself into relation with Allah. Solah also expresses the communion of brotherhood in Islam, as every Muslim throughout the whole world will perform uniformed movements and recite verses from the Al Quran, facing the same kiblah, with the same intention (nawaitu towards Allah). 3. To Contribute Zakah (alms-giving) Zakah is an obligatory alms-giving due to wealth, with certain conditions. Muslims who have wealth remaining over the year, after paying for their own basic needs, must pay a certain percentage to help others. Zakah is distributed to specific groups of people. Wealth is a gift from Allah. We gained it through opportunities provided by Him, and we should therefore be duly grateful. In Islam, everything belongs to Allah. Therefore, whatever wealth Allah enables us to earn, thus, becomes amanah (trust) from Him which we should care for and use accordingly to the principles which had been set in Islam. This is so that maximum benefit may be achieved without causing harm to oneself or others. Adhering to these principles will ensure that our wealth contributes to, or is part of, our worship to Allah and prevents us from becoming enslaved to it. The purpose of zakah The word zakah means ‘purification’ and ‘growth’. In significance, our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion of our wealth to be given to those in need. This can be likened to the pruning of plants - the cutting off shoots and branches encourages new growth. Zakah cleanses not only the wealth of Muslims but also the souls. Zakah is to be given to the poor, the needy and to those who collect them. Those whose hearts are to be reconciled, those seeking freedom from captives, those in debts, the wayfarers and those in the way of Allah are also entitled to receive the zakah. 4. Saum (fasting) During t he Month of Ramadhan Ramadhan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is during this month that Muslims all over the world perform the saum (fasting). Ramadhan is to be observed as a month of fasting with complete abstinence from food, drink, smoking and other sensual pleasures from dawn to sunset. The purpose of saum Fasting is proven to be beneficial to health but most importantly, it is a method of self-purification and self-restraint. Fasting draws us closer to Allah, strengthens our faith and taqwa. In the month of Ramadhan, we tend to do good deeds all day instead of bad; we watch our tongues and do not fight with each other. We learn not to be greedy and selfish. Fasting promotes a sense of solidarity and equality among the Muslim ummah
(community); among the rich and the poor; the healthy and the sick. Through fasting, one experiences the hardship, hunger and thirst of the poor and the underprivileged. People in some parts of the world go without much food every single day, not just during Ramadhan. Fasting is a good practice to control sensual desires, so that we do not become slaves to them. 5. Performing The Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) The pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj) constitutes one of the five pillars of Islam. Although it is compulsory for every Muslims, it stipulates a clear condition that only those Muslims who have means to make the journey to Kaabah - the very house of divine worship on earth - may do so. Unlike the solah (prayer), saum (fasting) and zakah (alms-giving) which is compulsory to every Muslim as long as he is alive, physical and mental able, the Hajj is obligatory only once in a lifetime for a Muslim, as and when he or she is in the position to undertake it. There are certain conditions which a person should fulfill before the pilgrimage becomes compulsory on him or her. If he or she does not comply with any one of these conditions, the Hajj is not compulsory. The purpose of Hajj Hajj holds a prominent position among all Muslim acts of worships. But it is not just the rites of pilgrimage that constitutes this importance; it is more to the spirit in which Hajj is performed. Hajj coordinates the intentions and efforts of Muslims towards the realizations of their objectives. The journey to Hajj is a journey to Allah. It represents the ultimate closeness one can achieve to Allah. It is also a comprehensive act of worship, involving both financial outlay and physical effort. Hajj is also a truly beautiful portrayal of brotherhood and unity among Muslims ummah. Ummah from different parts of the world, from different backgrounds, colours, languages and cultures come together to the same place on earth, at a specific time, performing the same acts of ritual of worshipping the Almighty Allah. The Definition of Iman (faith) To be precise, faith means belief in Allah and acceptance of His Revelation to the prophets as true. It is stated in the Al Quran, surah Al-Hujurat verse 15 which means: The (true) believers are only those who believe in Allah and His messenger, and afterwards doubt not, but strive with wealth and live for the cause of Allah such as sincerity. The law of God Iman or faith, in other words, means the acceptance of divine principles which become
the basis of a believer’s action. It culminates into complete submission of a believer to his Creator, Allah, whom a believer firmly believes in. He has Allah in his thoughts at all moments. This will ensure that whatever he does or say, does not exceed the boundaries set by Islam. Allah is in his thoughts and intentions; his love is for Allah, and he loves His entire creations because of Allah. This shows that his love for humanity is based on the purest of motives. A Muslim gets clear guidance from the Al Quran and hadiths regarding the matter of faith. There are six articles of iman which every muslim must believe in unconditionally. These six articles or pillars are as mentioned below: 1. Belief in Allah Islam is strictly a monotheistic religion. Allah is one, and one alone. He has no partner or agent. He is the Creator of everyone - animate as well as inanimate objects. His creations include night and day; the sun, the moon; all other known and unknown planets and heavenly bodies; the earth and whatever lives in them, between and beyond. The prophets and angels are merely His servants and not His agents or partners. He has created Moses, Jesus and Muhammad - none of them is His son. Allah has no father, no son, no daughter, no mother and no wife. The word ‘Allah’ is unique and almost incapable of translation. The English word ‘God’ does not convey the actual meaning of the word ‘Allah’. It is not a common noun but is a proper noun par-excellence. We cannot obtain the plural form of this word, like ‘God’ becomes ‘Gods’, nor can we refer based on gender, like ‘Goddess’. It is an Arabic word without any derivation. The word is such that it connotes all the attributes of perfection and beauty in their infinitude and denotes none but One and unique God. When we believe in Allah, we testify that there is no god has the right to be worshipped except Allah. We recognize Allah as The Most Powerful, The Most Benevolent; we testify the oneness of Allah, and His beautiful names. We must learn to understand the teaching and preaching of monotheism in Islam and accept every commandment from Allah by admitting with tongue, with belief in our heart and practice in righteous good deeds. 2. Belief in His Malaikat (angels) Islam believes that angels (malaikat) exist. These angels are the servants of Allah, neither His partners nor His agents. Nobody knows the exact number of angels except Allah, the Almighty Creator. These angels bear up Allah’s throne, descend with His decrees and forever dutiful to each
task they are assigned to. There are angels assigned to record men’s every action, angels assigned to bring down the rain, to blow the winds, even to take each man’s life. There are angels assigned to bring messages and commands from Allah to the prophets. Angels cannot be seen except by the command of Allah. They can take different forms. They have neither special shape nor colour; they are neither male nor female. Angels do not follow the norm practices and acts of human being. They do not eat nor drink; they do not get married, thus, they do not have wives or children. Angels are made from nur (divine light). Their angelic world exists but it cannot be seen by sense-perception in our everyday life. The existence of these malaikat will bring to a realization that this world is created not only for human beings, but there is the existence of angelic and jins world as well. 3. Belief in His Kitab (books) The Al-Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad SAW (peace be upon him) as the final revelation. The Al-Quran was intended for all mankind –with all its contents, right from the first verse that was taught to the Prophet. It is not only meant for those who profess to Islam as their religion but also for those who are willing to heed its divine guidance and wisdom. The Al-Quran contains messages from Allah regarding all the matters in life. It is a complete guidance to every discipline of knowledge, and knowledge in itself. These messages from Allah were in the form of kitab were revealed to His Prophets and Messengers. There are four kitab believed by the great religions of the world. These kitab have many things in common and they have the same purpose, that is to reform mankind. The four kitab are: The Thorah - sent to the Prophet Musa (Moses) a.s (peace be upon him) The Zabur
- sent to the Prophet Daud (David) a.s (peace be upon him)
The Injil (Bible) - sent to the Prophet Isa (Jesus) a.s (peace be upon him) The Al-Quran - sent to the Prophet Muhammad SAW (peace be upon him) The previous kitab revealed by Allah Ta’ala, naturally taught man about righteousness, love, and the way of life that is most pleasing to Allah Ta’ala. However, some of their commands and teachings were confined to a particular tribe, community, or nation and for a specific period. Therefore, the Al-Quran, as the final revelation, is the perfection and culmination of all truth contained in the earlier kitab. Though sent in Arabic language, it is the kitab for all times and for all mankind regardless languages, cultures and nationalities. The purpose of the Al-Quran is to guard the previous revelations by restoring the eternal truth of Allah Ta’ala. The Al-Quran is ‘the light’ by which humanity can be rightly guided onto the straight path.
4. Belief in His Nabi (prophets) To belief in prophets and messengers is an important doctrine of Islam. There should be respect for earlier prophets and messengers by saying alai hissalam (peace be upon him). Allah Ta’ala sent prophets and messengers to preach the unity persecuted by the majority of their people. However there is a difference between a Rasul (messenger) and Nabi (prophet). A messenger is a prophet who was sent to give divine messages to reform mankind and he is given a kitab. Whereas prophets do not receive kitab from Allah Ta’ala. The prophets are a sublime figure chosen by Allah Ta’ala to carry divine information or proclaim news to his own tribe. Prophethood is a bounty and a favour from Allah Ta’ala to him whom Allah pleases. The main objective of sending prophets is to reform a spoilt society. The prophets bring the messages from Allah Ta’ala and from other person. All prophets and messengers were intelligent, trustworthy, knowledgeable and most obedient to Allah Ta’ala. The exact number of prophets and messengers is unknown, but Muslims believe that were 124,000 prophets and 313 messengers. The last of all the prophets is Muhammad SAW (peace be upon him) who is referred to as the seal of the prophethood. 5. Belief in Akhirat (the Judgement Day) In Islam, death is not the end of life. Another kind of life will begin for human after their deaths. On the day of judgement, the good-doers will be rewarded and the evil-doers will be punished. The blessed, Allah-fearing men and women, the humble and charitable, the forgiving, those who had suffered and persecuted for the sake of Allah and His prophets, those who fought in the way of Allah will be asked to enter the paradise. The paradise is the abode of peace in which there abiding mansions. Those who will enter by the flowing rivers, praising Allah Ta’ala, day and night, reclining on silken couches, enjoying heavenly food and drink. This is stated in the surah Yasin; 55-57 which means: “Verily, the dwellers of Paradise, that day, will be busy with joy things. They and their wives will be in pleasant shade, reclining, on thrones. They will have therein fruits (of all kinds) and all that they ask for. Above all, they will be able to see beautiful visions.” But for those who are none believers, the covetous, the worshippers of deities and not oneness of Allah Ta’ala, shall be cast into the fire of hell, to abide therein forever, with no release from its torments, fed with the bitterest fruits and drinks from boiling water. Allah has promised the believes – men and women, garden under which rivers flow dwell therein forever, and beautiful mansions in Gardens of And (Eden Paradise). But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allah. That is the supreme success. (At-Taubah 9:72)
6. Belief in Qadha and Qadar (pre-measurement from Allah) There is no fatalism (which exist in the lesser religions of the world) in Islam. There is no notion in Islam that a man is born a sinner. There is no doctrine of original sin in Islam; therefore, a child born into this world is innocent. It is when he grows up that his mind develops to an understanding of what is right and what is wrong. He is given the intellect of mind by Allah Ta’ala to think. It is at this point that he can pick and choose between good and evil. In Islam, if a man commits theft for example, it is not because Allah has destined him to do so; he has done it on his own accord and free will and not predestination. But life and death are entirely in the hand of Allah Ta’ala. This is where pre-destination stand in Islam. This is pre-measurement of good and evil. In Islam, the belief in fatalism amounts to disbelief. A man cannot acquire anything without effort; and Allah does not change the destiny of any community unless they try to change their destiny. As Allah has said in the Quran, surah Ar-Rad 13:11: For Him (each person) there are angels in succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the command the of Allah. Verily, Allah will not change the (good) condition of a people as long as they do not change their state (of goodness) themselves (by committing sins and by being ungrateful and disobedient to Allah). But when Allah wills peoples punishment, there can be no turning back of it, and they will find besides Him no protector.