Beliefnet Guide To Islam

1 What Is This Religion Called Islam? The religion we know as Islam began in Arabia in the sixth century when a man named Muhammad began to experience a series of "revelations," or communications from the Divine. He was a reluctant prophet at first, even fearing that his own sanity was in question, but his beloved wife, Khadija, said, "Muhammad, a man like you doesn't go crazy." Over a period of twenty-three years he would receive periodic guidance from this Divine Source, often in response to the particular needs of his growing community, in a language of great depth and beauty. This revelation is called the Qur'an and it is the foremost inspiration, reference point, and final authority of the religion of Islam. Here is some of what it says about itself: God has sent down the best of teaching in a Book fully harmonious with itself, repeating the truth in manifold ways and often repeated in recitation; A Book that causes the skins of all who stand in awe of their Lord to shiver, but in the end their skins and their hearts soften at the remembrance of God. Such is God's guidance. (39:23) And We have sent down to you, step by step, this Book, to make all matters clear, and as guidance and grace and good tidings unto all who have submitted themselves to God. God commands justice, the doing of good, and giving to one's relatives; and He forbids all that is shameful and runs counter to reason, in addition to aggression. He exhorts you so that you may bear this in mind. (16:90) Surely it is a sublime Book. No falsehood can ever enter it from before nor behind; it is a bestowal from on high by the One who is All-Wise, ever due to Him all praise. (41:41-42) It is of great significance that the religion of Islam is founded upon the Qur'an and that all Muslims see this book as the final authority. The Qur'an occupies a position in Islamic civilization similar to the place held by the Constitution within American society. People may debate its meaning and interpret it according to their own views, but finally when they want to establish justice, claim their rights, or justify their actions, they will refer to it. But only a small part of the Qur'an refers to legal or social issues; the greater portion of it is for spiritual guidance. The Qur'an is not believed to be the voice of Muhammad, but a voice from beyond the human realm. Yet it is addressed to the essential needs of human beings, reminding them of their essential nature, their moral responsibilities, and of the exquisite grace and guidance that the Divine showers upon humanity. It is also full of warning about the ways in which human beings can harm themselves, each other, their world, and finally their own souls. Muhammad had a voice, too, and his pithy and wise sayings were remembered and recorded, eventually becoming a supplementary source of Islamic practice and conduct. And yet the voice of Muhammad remains indistinct from the voice of the Qur'an. Muhammad's character and behavior became a model for all Muslim behavior, and his conduct and manner of worship became the model of Islamic practice and spirituality. In fact this model has remained so powerful and alive that when the great German poet Rilke visited Egypt in 1900, he observed that the memory of Muhammad was so present, it was as if he had died only last week. Here is some of what the Qur'an says about the Prophet Muhammad: [He] enjoins upon them [his followers] the doing of what is right and forbids them the doing of what is wrong, and makes lawful to them the good things of life and forbids the bad and impure things, and lifts from them their burdens and the shackles that have been upon them. It is those who believe in him, and honor him, and support him and follow the light which was sent down with him, it is they who will attain to success. (7:157) The Qur'an and the Prophet exert a powerful influHassaballa, Hesham A. is the author of 'Beliefnet Guide To Islam ', published 2006 under ISBN 9780385514545 and ISBN 0385514549.