I have prayed about out situation and have decided to continue our conversation. If you decide not too, I will understand. But you seemed that you still wanted to talk.
Steve, I was always willing to talk. And everyone here knows that. You're the one that wanted to stop. Remember?
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So, tell me the exact works I need to do in my life to go to heaven? Show me the True path as you mention. Be clear and precise, as it is important to know exactly what to do according to your faith.
To reach Paradise, Islam teaches that we must obey conform to God's commandments. The Qur'an teaches Muslims how to live their lives, what to do in circumstances, etc.
There are 5 pillars in Islam, as they are commonly known. The most important "commandment" is the first:
1. Say: I bear witness that there is no God but the one true God and Muhammad (Pbuh) is his messenger.
This is known as the "Shadah." Notice we mention Muhammad (Pbuh). You're probably wondering, "I bet Muslims place Muhammad above everyone."
Well you're wrong. According to the Qur'an, we are not to distinguish between one Prophet and another. So why mention Muhammad (Pbuh) you still ask yourself?
Here's why: Every nation had its prophet. Muhammad (Pbuh) was the only messenger that was sent to all of humankind. He was sent for you, myself, and everyone. He was the world's last messenger and totally successful in bringing the Message from God to humankind. It is not possible to be Muslim and deny any Prophet.
The 2nd pillar is:
2. Prayer
Muslims must pray 5 times a day to God. The prayer is composed really of some things that are mandatory (such as reading certain chapters from the Qur'an) and then an area where you can basically ask for forgiveness or for anything really. Prayer is commonly done with large groups of people. You've probably seen Muslims praying on TV or some other time.
Prayer is one of my favorite acts in Islam. It really forces a person to stop whatever he/she is doing during the day and pray to God. It reminds you 5 times a day who your creator is and Muslims across the world withdraw from where ever they are (work, play, etc.) to pray.
It is said the most repeated phrase in the entire world is the "Idan." The Idan is a "Call for Prayer" that is performed in all Muslim countries. Mosques throughout cities and countries are equipped with loud speakers. When one of the 5 prayers begins, a "Call for Prayer" is performed. It involves the following:
God is Great (Allahu Akbar)
God is Great
God is Great
God is Great
There is no God except for the one true God
There is no God except for the one true God
Muhammad (Pbuh) is the messenger of God
Muhammad (Pbuh) is the messenger of God
Come to Prayer
Come to Prayer
Come to Success
Come to Success
God is Great
God is Great
There is no God except for the one true God
God is so Great and So Compassionate. Compared to Him we are nothing. And thus during prayer, we prostrate ourselves to God. Jesus (Pbuh) is reported in the Bible to have done the same. After all, when in front of God, shall you not get on your knees and worship Him?
3. Ramadan: i.e. Fasting
One month of the year (During the month of Ramadan), Muslims must fast for a period ranging from 29 - 30 days (the exact number is determined by the length of the month of Ramadan which can be 29 or 30 days a year) Muslims must fast from sun up to sun down. While the sun is up, Muslim cannot eat or drink anything.
Fasting is performed for a number of reasons (most notable that God commanded us to). One reason is to "step back" and concentrate on our Creator. We forego food and drink during the day to praise and worship God. Note: Jesus (Pbuh) also fasted.
4. Zakat
Many people will translate "Zakat" as Charity, which is partially true and partially wrong.
It is true that Muslims are required to pay 2.5% of their income each year to the poor and needy. However, Zakat includes more than giving of one's income. It also inclues such minor things as smiling to a brother or greeting your brothers and sisters with "Peace be with you." Zakat really means "to give" something to someone. And it doesn't have to be of monetary means. It can be a prayer or about anything else you can think of. So even poor people can give Zakat.
5. Hajj
This last one is not required. It only is required of people who meet 3 criteria: that is, they are physically, mentally, and monetarily able to perform this task.
Hajj is a pilgrimmage to Mecca where the first "House of God" was set up by Abraham and his son Ishmael. It still stands today (the Kaaba). The purpose of the Hajj is, you guessed it, to praise God. When Muslims go there, they spend an entire week essentially praising and worshipping the Creator of Humankind. They interact with other Muslims on the same journey. Everyone in equal. Everyone wears the same thing. No one can tell who is poor and who is rich. Who is the son of a king or who is the son of a pauper. We are all equal and the only distinguishing factor in our religion is our "taqwa" which means "awareness of the religion."
As far as forgiveness of sins, Muslims believe this:
"If you were to come to God with a sky high amount of sins, so long as you have not associated anyone with God, He will meet you with an equal amount of forgiveness. "
I emphasize the "so long as you have not associated anyone with God," because the worse sin in Islam is associate anyone with God. This includes comparing Him to someone or saying that someone is of His status.
And those are the 5 Pillars of Islam. We do believe all of humankind will be punished, some minor and some major, for their sins. On the Day of Judgement, we shall all be held accountable and each shall answer for his/her own acts.
Note: We do not believe in the concept of "Original Sin," or that man is a fallen man and must be saved. God stresses in the Bible and in the Qur'an that no one shall be held accountable for other's acts. Therefore, it would be unfair for a child to be condemned upon entering this world for having done nothing.
Please submit any questions you might have.
Peace be unto You,
Norris |
