Sajakkini

How does one begin to comprehend a religion that supports peace, promises rewards on earth and in the afterlife, and yet has extreme followers that use Islam in so-called terrorist attacks?

Islam, for moderate believers, is a religion of peace, moderation and has all the answers to their worldly questions. For fanatical Muslims, so to speak, Islam gives them permission to defend the religion, their way of life by encouraging suicide bombings and threats against Western countries. And for non-Muslims, their perception of the religion vary – from the accepting to mortification, and sheer confusion.

DINA ZAMAN lives in Kuala Lumpur. Her journalistic hero is Tintin, Boy Reporter. Other than that, she has few regrets. She can be contacted at dina@malaysiakini.com.

Hence a brief and whirlwind lesson in Islam is required, to foster some understanding on Muslims.

The definition of Islam

Islam in a phrase, means submission to Allah, God, the Creator of all things. The word Islam is derived from the Arabic language. To understand it further, here’s a brief look at the roots of the word itself:

“Should we take its root from the word Salima, hence Islam means ‘safe’; saviour or sanctuary. In this context, Allah takes care of the welfare of all Muslims, in both worlds – the present and the afterlife. A believing Muslim will then take care of his family, his friends, his community’s and worldly safety.

“If Islam is derived from the word ‘Salmi’ then it means peace. If from the word ‘Istaslama’, then Islam means to obey God and be faithful to its teachings, as promoted and taught by the Prophet, Nabi Muhammad (May His Soul Rest In Peace). It also means honesty, sincerity. If Islam comes from the word ‘Sullam’, it means ‘ladder’ or ‘advancement’, for all believers must strive to be the best they can be.” (Bimbingan Lengkap Fardhu Ain, Abu Humaira).

Any Muslim, practising or not, should be able to spout the trunk of Islamic beliefs in a second. These have been drummed into their heads from young, and woe behold those who cannot remember two-thirds of them. Like the recitation of the Al Fatihah, Muslim children are taught the pillars of Islam and faith the moment they can warble words.

The Five Pillars of Islam are:

1. The testimony that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Mohammad is His Messenger
2. Establishing the prayer and that one is to pray five times a day: at dawn, afternoon, late afternoon, at sunset and night (Subuh, Zuhur, Asar, Maghrib and Isya)
3. Zakat – giving alms to the poor
4. Fasting in the month of Ramadhan
5. Performing the Hajj at least once in a lifetime, provided the believer is sane, has reached puberty, a free man as opposed to being a slave and able financially and physically to perform the Hajj.

Then there are the Six Pillars of Faith (Iman), which is not to be confused with the former. The believer must believe in:

1. Allah (God)
2. His Angels (mentioned in Surah Al Baqarah 2:177 & 285)
3. The Book – Quran
4. The Messengers
5. Qiamat – the Last Day on earth
6. Qada’ and Qadar – Divine Preordainment

What is the difference then between the former and latter? The Pillars of Islam mean the performed deeds that are seen, while Iman refers to the affairs of the soul. Both these two go together, and are to be observed strictly.

The last messenger

Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was the last Rasul, the Messenger. He was born in 570 AD. His early life was marked by loss – deaths of close family members such as his mother, Amina and his grandfather – but with his uncle Abu-Talib guarding him and championing him, this helped and encouraged Muhammad in his teachings and the spreading of Islam.

To say that Muhammad was different from other men of his and our time, would be contradictory. He was an orphan and uneducated. He was also poor. Yet with the obstacles ahead of him, he was put on earth for a purpose. His trials and life only served to turn him into a leader.

Unlike other prophets such as Isa (Jesus Christ), Muhammad received the complete Godly messages, to reveal to the world The Final Revelation. He was 40 years old when Jibrail came to see him and announced that God had chosen Muhammad as His Messenger to all mankind.

To write about Muhammad’s life, however brief, would be of great disservice to readers and the Prophet himself, so I would suggest you buy Martin Lings’ book on Muhammad (pbuh) (and other books such as Muhammad Asad’s The Road to Mecca), which makes for an excellent primer on The Messenger’s life.

Who?

You may be seeing these terms along the way. A brief interpretation of them is as follows:

The Muttaquns – the Pious. The Believers. The word ‘Muttaqun’ originates from ‘taqwa’ which means protecting one’s self from God’s punishment by obeying Him.

The Munafiks – Hypocrites. They say they are Muslims but do not behave so. There is a whole chapter devoted to them: Surah Munaafiquun.

The Musyrik – they do not believe in God; most devote themselves to idol worship.

That’s not so bad, isn’t it?

Here are more rules to abide: no pre-marital or extra-marital sex, no indulging in anything that will make you ‘khayal’ – high – such as alcohol, drugs and other substances or activities that make you forget the world. Dress modestly, and behave with utter decorum. Food fall into two categories: kosher and haram. Pork is bad, while fish is good. Chicken and beef have to be slaughtered in the proper Islamic manner before consumption.

Then dogs. You can keep them as watchdogs but not as pets, and you can touch them, but only when they are dry. And why is that? Dogs are dirty. What about cats? Cats lick their behinds, don’t they. And if alcohol is sinful, what about alcohol in medication and perfume? What’s the difference?

Another question that was lobbed my way: if you can’t have pre-marital sex, then what about masturbation? Which is better, solo sex or real sex? The former is not encouraged as it has been said that it is the Devil that performs the deed, and may make you go blind, while the latter is a no-no, you will go to hell, but in this day and age when marriage is no longer such an attractive option, and you know you can’t have pre-marital sex, what on earth are you to do?

The interpretation of Islam in modern times has made the religion seem anti-social, anti-human rights and against progress. Islam is a dynamic guide to virtuous living, for its people to cultivate a life and a world that will reward them on earth and in the Afterworld.

So how do you go about being a Muslim?

Islam in 1,000 words