Muslim Student Association

Colorado State University

What do Muslims Believe?

                 Muslims believe in One, Unique, Incomparable God' in the Angels created by Him, in the prophets through whom His revelations were brought to mankind; in God's complete authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist and Jesus, peace be upon them. But God's final message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing-up of all that has gone before was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, through Gabriel.

Who is Muhammad ?

                 Muhammad,  peace be upon him, was born in Makkah in the year 570, at a time when Christianity was not yet fully established in Europe. Since his father died before his birth, and his mother shortly afterwards, he was raised by his uncle from the respected tribe of Quraysh. As he grew up, he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, so that he was sought after for his ability to arbitrate in disputes. The historians describe him s calm and meditative.

                 Muhammad,  peace be upon him, was of a deeply religious nature, and had long detested the decadence of his society. It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira near the summit of Jabal al-Nur, the `Mountain of Light' near Makkah.

How does someone become a Muslim?

                 Simply by saying "There is no God to be worshiped but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of God." By this declaration the believer announces his or her faith in all God's messengers, and the scriptures they brought. What does `Islam" mean? The Arabic word `Islam' simply means `submission,' and drives from a word meaning `peace.' In a religious context it means complete submission to the will of God. `Mohammedianism' is thus a misnomer because it suggests that Muslims worship Muhammad, peace be upon him, rather than God. `Allah' is the Arabic name for God, which is used by Arab Muslims and Christians alike. Why does Islam often seem strange? Islam my seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps this is because religion does not dominate everyday life in the West today, whereas Muslims have religion always uppermost in their minds, and make no division between secular and sacred. They believe that the Divine Law, the Shari'a, should be taken very seriously, which is why issues related to religion are still so important.

Do Islam and Christianity have different origins?

                 No. Together with Judaism, they go back to the prophet and patriarch Abraham, and their three prophets are directly descended form his son--Muhammad, peace be upon him, from the eldest, Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them, from the Issac. Abraham established the settlement which today is the holy city of Makkah, and built the Ka'ba towards which all Muslims turn when they pray.

What do Muslims think about Jesus?

                 Muslims respect and revere Jesus, peace be upon him, and await his Second Coming. They consider him one of the greatest of God's messengers to mankind. A Muslim never refers to him simply as 'Jesus', but always adds the phrase ``peace be upon him.' The Quran confirms his virgin birth (a chapter of the Quran is entitled `Mary'), and Mary is considered the purest woman in all creation. The Quran describes the Annunciation as follows:

"`Be hold!' the Angel said, `God has chosen you, and purified you, and chosen you above the women of all nations. O Mary, God gives you good news of a word from Him, whose name shall be the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, honored in this world and the Hereafter, and one shall speak to the people from his cardle and in maturity, and shall be of the righteous.'

She said: `O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?' He said: `Even so; God creates what He will. When He decrees a thing, He says to it, "Be!" and it is.' (Quran, 3:42-7)

  Jesus, peace be upon him, was born miraculously through the same power which had brought Adam `peace be upon him,' into being without father:

"Truly, the likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, and then said to him, `Be!' and he was. (3:59)

During his prophetic mission Jesus, peace be upon him, performed many miracles. The Quran tells us that he said:

I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you out of the clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God's leave. And I heal the blind and the lepers, and I raise the dead by God's leave. (3:49)

                 Neither Muhammad, peace be upon him, nor Jesus, peace be upon him, cam to change the basic doctrine of the belief in on God, brought by earlier prophets, but to confirm and renew it. In the Quran Jesus, peace be upon him, is reported as saying that he came: " To attest the law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden you; I have come to you with a sign form your Lord, so fear God and obey Me." (3:50)

The prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: "Whoever believes there is no god but God, alone without partner, that Muhammad, peace be upon him, is His messenger, that Jesus is the servant and messenger of God, His word breathed into Mary and a spirit emanating form Him, and that ~Paradise and Hell are true, shall be received by God into Heaven. (Hadith from Bukhari)

Who are Muslims?

One billion people form a vast range of races, nationalities and cultures across the globe, from the southern Philippines to Nigeria, are united by their common Islamic faith. About 18% live in the Arab world; the world's largest Muslim community is in Indonesia; substantial parts of Asia and most of the Africa are Muslim, while significant minorities are to be found in the Soviet Union, China, North and South America, and Europe.

What about Muslim women?

Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an individual in her own right, with the right to own and dispose of her property and earnings. A marriage dowry is given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use, and she keeps her own family name rather than taking her husband's. Both men and women are expected to dress in a way which is modest and dignified; the traditions of female dress found in some Muslim countries are often the expression of local customs.

The Messenger of God `peace be upon him,' said: "The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manner and kindest to his wife."

See also Women in Islam