From Norwich Muslim Community

http://www.muslimsofnorwich.org.uk/?page_id=8

 Islam

In our opinion the Internet is not the best way to learn about Islam, it’s much better to learn by meeting Muslims. However the following is a brief introduction to Islam and will hopefully answer any basic questions you may have. If you’d like to learn more why not come to the Mosque and see for yourself, guests are always welcome

Islam is now the second largest and fastest growing faith in the world. There are over a thousand million Muslims worldwide and between 1.5 and 3 million in the UK alone.

• Islam means submission, safety and peace.
• It is a final and complete teaching for all people brought to us by our Master Muhammad, the last of the Messengers of Allah and the Seal of all the Prophets (peace and blessings be upon him).
•  
• The Quran was first revealed over 1400 years ago to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) by the Angel Gabriel.
•  
• Islam has ‘five pillars’, which are the obligatory acts that all Muslims must adhere to:

1. Shahadah – Witnessing. This is the declaration that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. This is the first act of belief and must be fully understood and said in front of witnesses in order to become Muslim.

2. Salah – Obligatory daily prayer. All adult Muslims must pray 5 times daily at specified times. The times are fajr (dawn), dhuhr (midday), ‘asr (late afternoon), maghrib (sunset) and ‘isha (nightfall).

3. Sawm – Fasting. All adult Muslims must fast during daylight hours during the holy month of Ramadan. The month lasts 29 or 30 days depending on the sighting of the moon.

4. Zakah – Wealth-Tax. All Muslims are required to pay a tax on their surplus wealth once it reaches a specified level. This tax is taken by the leader of the community and paid to members of the community, such as the poor and travellers.

5. Hajj – Pilgrimage. All Muslims must make the pilgrimage to the Ka’ba in Mecca at least once in their lives; if they are able to.