| Allah is the proper name of God, however,
we know Him generally through His attributes. These attributes describe how Allah manifests Himself to us. God's attributes
are innumerable since human intellect cannot possibly comprehend every aspect of the Supreme Being. A Hadith of the Holy Prophet
(peace be on him) makes mention of Ninety Nine names of Allah commonly known as al- Asmaul Husna,
the Most Names. In the Holy Quran we read: "And to Allah alone belong all perfect attributes. So call
Him by these. And leave alone those who deviate from the right way with respect to His Attributes." (7:181).
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| "Allah - there
is no God but He, the Living, the Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining. Slumber seizes Him not, nor sleep. To Him belongs whatsoever
is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that will intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows
what is before them and what is behind them; and they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He pleases. His knowledge
extends over the heavens and the earth; and the care of them burdens Him not;and He is the High, the Great." (2:256)
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| Allah is the Light of the heavens and
the earth. The similitude of His light is a lustrous niche, wherein is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The
glass is as it were a glittering star. It is lit from blessed tree - an olive - neither of the east nor of the west, whose
oil would well-nigh glow forth even though fire touched it not.Light upon light! Allah guides to His light whomsoever He will.
And Allah sets forth parables to men, and Allah know all things full well.This light is now lit in houses with regard to which
Allah has ordained that they be exalted and that His name be remembered in them, Therein is He glorified in the mornings and
the evenings (24:36-37)
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| "He is Allah, and there is no God beside
Him, the Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is Gracious, the Merciful.He is Allah, and there is no God beside Him, the
Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace, the Bestower of Security, the Protector, the Mighty, the Subduer, the Exalted.
Holy is Allah far above that which they associate with Him.He is Allah, the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner. His are the
most Beautiful Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Him, and He is the Mighty the Wise.(59: 23-25)
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| Abu Huraira (may
Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings
of Allah be upon him) said, "Allah has ninety nine Names, one hundred less one; and who memorized
them all by heart will enter Paradise." (Bukhari, The Book of Tauhid). |
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| The literal meaning of Islam is peace; surrender
of ones will i.e. losing oneself for the sake of God and surrendering ones own pleasure for the pleasure of God. The message
of Islam was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) 1, 400 years ago.
It was revealed through angel Gabriel (on whom be peace) and was thus preserved in the Holy Quran.
The Holy Quran carries a Divine guarantee of safeguard from interpolation and it claims that it combines the best features
of the earlier scriptures. |
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| 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 this belief is thus a Muslim - a Muslims other beliefs
are: Gods angels, previously revealed Books of God, all the prophets, from Adam to Jesus (peace be on
them both), the Day of Judgement and indeed the Decree of God. A Muslim has five main duties to perform, namely; bearing
witness to the Unity of God and Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) as His Messenger, observing
the prescribed prayer, payment of Zakat, keeping the fasts of Ramadhan and performing the pilgrimage to Mecca. |
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| Islam believes that each person is born pure.
The Holy Quran tells us that God has given human beings a choice between good and evil and to seek Gods pleasure through faith,
prayer and charity. Islam believes that God created mankind in His image and by imbuing the attributes of God on a human level
mankind can attain His nearness. Islams main message is to worship God and to treat all Gods creation with kindness and compassion.
Rights of parents in old age, orphans and the needy are clearly stated. Womens rights were safeguarded 1,400 years ago when
the rest of the world was in total darkness about emancipation. Islamic teachings encompass every imaginable situation and
its rules and principles are truly universal and have stood the test of time. |
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| In Islam virtue does not connote forsaking
the bounties 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. As the entire message of Islam is derived from the Holy Quran and indeed
the Sunnah and Hadith (the traditions and practices of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings on him)
it is immutable in the face of change in time and place. It may appear rigid to the casual eye, in actual fact it is most
certainly an adaptable way of life regardless of human changes. |
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| 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. |
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| At present there are 1.5
billion Muslims worldwide and they form the majority in more than 50 countries
of the world. Today Islam is the fastest growing faith in the world - its beautiful message is reaching millions
in the far corner of the earth. |
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