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PRABUDDH JEEVAN
DECEMBER 2014
Arabia, Mohammad, preached a religion of strict mono- inividual's wealth, usually made in the month of theism with rigorous personal discipline in daily life. Ramzan) (4) Roza (duty to fast during the month of Today, Islam has followers in large numbers all over Ramzan - it is believed that this fasting remits all kinds the world, perhaps next to Christianity. India has a his- of sins committed during the whole year), and (5) the tory of Muslims in the south Malabar coast as Arab Haj the duty to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least Muslim traders from around 8th century C.E. and in the once during one's lifetime. north from around 12th century. C.E.
Jihad (a much misinterpreted term even by a few Basic Doctrines : Islam tries to maintain wholeness Islamic groups) is considered sometimes a sixth pillar and proper order (as the opposite of disintegration) by of Islam. what is jihad? The quest to control basic inaccepting God's law. Nature obeys God's law automati- stincts such as greed, lust, and cruelty and to seek cally, but humanity ought to obey it by choice. "Islam' spiritual purity is known by Muslims as the great jihad.' means to be in peace', to be an integral whole. Islam Featured widely in the Qur'an, the great jihad' is a means surrendering one's will to the will of God through- person's most important internal struggle. In interpretout one's life. It means complete obedience to the laws ing jihad, the Muslim scholar Imam Sulayman S. Nyang of God as they have been revealed as Quran and Hadith of Howard University in Washington, D. C. quotes Chapand later on in Shariah. As such, Islam includes faith, ter 3, verse 172, of the Qur'an: Of those who answered action and the realization of the divine end for man. the call of Allah and the mesenger, even after being This absolute submission (Islam) to God in perfect pi-wounded, those who do right and refrain from wrong ety is regarded as man's primary duty. Islam believes have a great reward.' He mentions also that Qur'an has in one and only one God, called 'Allah', whose will is a reference to 'lower Jihad' as well, a more earthly and supreme. It believes in the sacredness and authorita- physical - and controversial - struggle. "To those tiveness of many scriptures like Torah of the Jews, against whom war is made, permission is given to fight] Gospel of Jesus etc., but it takes Quran as the great- because they are wronged; and verily. God is most est and the most sacred. It believes in the existence of powerful for their aid,' quotes Nyang. This verse speaks good and bad angels. The angels maintain a record of of combat or war to be waged against one's oppresman's conduct for the last judgement. Iblis is the head sors - a struggle sanctioned by God. But the Qur'an of the evil spirits and the ruler of hell. Besides angels, also states in Chapter 2, Verse 190: Fight in the cause Islam also believes in good and bad jins as well. Like of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limJudaism and Christianity, Islam also believes in life af- its; for Allah loves not transgressors.' The essence of ter death, resurrection of the dead, the Day of Judge
the verse, Nyang says, is to fight back 'If you are atment and eternal heaven and hell. Its eschatology is tacked by your persecutors, but don't fight back indisvery well-defined and graphically described. Islam is
criminately. Follow the rules of engagement.' Accoding out and out a legalistic religion providing its followers to mainstream Muslim clerics, those rules of engagewith definite codes of ethical, religious and other indi- ment' are explicit: women, children, and innocent civilvidual and social conduct. It teaches an ethics of per
ians are off limits. The context of the text also counts in fect purity, service of humanity and brotherhood of man.
its reading. It is one of the Muslims being driven from It preaches Jihad but it means a striving and struggle
their homes, persecuted, and killed.. Hence one may in the path of God-realization. Hence it means readi
conclude here that the Qur'an doesn't disaprove of selfness to give one's life for the sake of Allah and its mes-
defense, its most prevalent message being one of
defense, is sage. It is even considered to be a sixth pillar of Islam peace and brotherly love. Much of the Islamic discipline consists in teaching
Scriptures (Quran & Hadith) : Islam is said to be its people definite ways of sincere devotion and prayers
the rligion of the Book i.e., the Quran. Quran is consid
ered to be the word of God received by Mohammad to God. It consists in following 5 duties known as the Five Pillars of Islam : (1) Kalima (Quran) (with the duty
through Gabriel. The word Quran comes from a root,
which means to 'recite'. It is thus, recital given by the of repeating the words, which mean, 'There is no God.
Prophet Mohammad to his followers who wrote it. Quran but Allah, and Mohammed is His Prophet. "La ilaha illilahu, Muhammad ur Rasualallah' Sura 2:21-22) (2)
is regarded as an uncreated, eternal world of Allah.
(To be Continued) the Nazam (the observance of saying prayers 5 times a day-at daybreak, at noon, at midafter-noon, at sun
76/C, Mangal, 3/15, R.A.K. Road, Matunga, set and at early night), (3) the Zakat (giving alms to
Mumbai-400 019. Mobile: 9819179589 / 9619379589 the poor and needy - a minimum of 2.5 prcent of an Email : kaminigogri@gmail.com
