What is Islam?

Islam is a beautiful religion with a rich history.
While some religious traditions today have adapted to the inconsistent and ever changing modern cultural demands, Islam has remained much the same for a very long period. Islam emphasizes on holiness, modesty of dress, regular daily prayer, fasting, dedication to Allah (God), and giving money to help the poor and marital fidelity, and in short, a complete disciplinary lifestyle. Islam continues to grow world-wide as people increasingly find it to be a meaningful and rewarding way of life, as well as a supportive and compassionate community.

The literal meaning of Islam is peace; surrender of one's will i.e. losing oneself for the sake of God and surrendering one's own pleasure for the pleasure of God. Islam believes that each person is born pure. The message of Islam was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad around 1, 400 years ago. It was revealed through angel Gabriel (on whom be peace) and was thus preserved in the Holy Quran. The prime message of Islam is the Unity of God, that the creator of the world is one and he alone is worthy of worship and that Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) is his Messenger and Servant. The follower of Islam is called Muslim and he has five main duties to perform, namely; bearing witness to the Unity of God and Muhammad as his Messenger, observing the prescribed prayer, payment of Zakat, keeping the fasts of Ramadhan and performing the pilgrimage to Mecca. You can check out these links for fascinating facts and an insight about following Islam.

The beauty of Islam lies in its message. Islam's main message is to worship God and to treat all God's creation with kindness and compassion. Most of the people think that Islam is a backward religion, but even 1,400 years ago, when the rest of the world was in total darkness about liberation, things such as rights of parents in old age, orphans and the needy are clearly stated and women's rights were safeguarded. This shows that Islam has not just been contemporary, but also has had tremendous foresight. Islamic teachings encompass every imaginable situation and its rules and principles are truly universal and have stood the test of time, which makes it one of the fastest growing faiths in the world. In Islam, virtue does not mean forsaking the rewards of nature that are lawful. On the contrary, one is encouraged to lead a healthy, active life with the qualities of kindness, chastity, honesty, mercy, courage, patience and politeness. In short, Islam has a perfect and complete code for the guidance of individuals and communities alike. Islam teaches that the path to spiritual development is open to all. Any individual who searches the one creator can seek nearness to God through sincere and earnest worship; it is central to establishing a relationship with the Almighty. This positive message for humanity fills hearts with hope and courage.

The benefits of Islam as a Faith are fascinating. Various scientific studies have evaluated the impact of religious living on various aspects of human physiology and life. Islam is one of many religions that produce's surprising results including:
1. Reduced incident of depression
2. Greater health
3. Faster recovery from illness
4. Longer life-span
by Umarbinrana Source click here