Definitions...

Submitted by Sage DeMint (United States), Nov 26, 2005 at 16:24

Wow. I read through the whole article, and the conclusion that I've come to is that the writer and pretty much everyone on this forum have NO idea that their talking about. Anti-Islamist Muslims? Define 'Islamist', define 'Muslim'.

I'm not so sure what your definition is, and I've never understoond where the word 'islamist' even came from, and I feel that the lack of understanding what Muslim means is leading to a lot of misconceptions here. My purpose is not to get into political discussions, but just to inform.

Let me put it to you simply. A Muslim is someone who submits to God. Now, don't run off just yet, hear me out. The basis of Islam is, is that there is only One God. He is the Creator of all things, and we submit to His will. What is His will? To bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Him alone, that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the final messenger of God. To belive in the books (the Torah, Bible) that were sent down before the Quran, to believe in the Prophets that brought those books with them (Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and many others). Muslims are taught that to pray to God five times a day and be just between all people whether they are Muslim or not. The five 'pillars' of Islam are: bearing witness to the Oneness of God and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the final messenger, praying 5 times a day, fasting in the month of Ramadhan, charity, and if the person is finacially and physically able, to make pilgrimage once to the Holy city of Makkah.

Those are the basics, and Islam is based on justice. Before I go, let me give you all an example. This story was narrated by the Jewish man.

There was a situation in the early days of Islam, a short time after the death of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The ruler at the time, Ali bin Abi Talib took a Jewish citizen of the Muslim state to court, stating that the Jew had stolen a shield which had belonged to him. The shield had been stolen a long time ago and had come into the Jewish man's posession after a number of years. In the court, Ali brought his son as a witness, stating that the shield was rightfully his, yet this was not considered proper evidence and so the judge ruled in favor of the Jewish man. Keep in mind: the court belongs to Ali, the country belongs to Ali, and yet the judge has just ruled against his own leader. How could this happen? Because that judge, as the couragous muslims of the past knew and true muslims today are taught, knew that the court, the country, and all of creation truly belonged to God. And if he unjustly ruled against this Jewish man, when he had not been presented with adequete evidence against him, he would have to answer to God.

That is what is Islam is all about. Obeying the One God who created us before all others. We are taught to be just and patient, to follow the guidance we are given in the Quran and in the actions and life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), so that in the hereafter, an everlasting reward will be ours.

I know that this post must raise many questions as well as answering others, so if anyone has any questions, then please ask.
Thank You,
Sage. D.

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