Islam A Religion Of Ethics, Obedience And Harmony

Islam is ranked as the fastest growing religion in the world, and is predicted to rival Christianity in terms of global population by 2050. However, it is still misunderstood by millions of people, including Muslims themselves. Islam, meaning peace and submission to God, is a religion of ethics, obedience and harmony, and is based on a faithful belief system. Conversely, in various parts of the world, Islam is broadly misrepresented as a religion of intolerance and killing. Common confusion, misunderstanding, and pure ignorance often leads into a negative portrayal of Islam. An example of this can be seen in the term â€Å"Jihad.† Contrary to popular belief, Jihad is not a synonym for combat. The term Jihad is an Arabic word that has many†¦show more content†¦The first pillar is called the Shahadah, which is the fundamental act upon all Islamic activity depends. â€Å"It is to acknowledge verbally that one accepts the reality of God and the prophecy of Muhammad.† Sincerely reciting the Muslim profession of faith is essential and considered a duty for Muslims. The second pillar is called the Salat, which means performing ritual prayers in the proper way five times each day. Salat is essential for muslims because prayer involves uniting mind, soul, and body in worship. The third one is called Zakat, which is defined as â€Å"a certain percentage of one’s acquired property for the year that is paid to the needy.† Paying a charity tax with the purpose of benefiting the poor in society is viewed as a responsibility for Muslims and a service to God. It is regarded as a type of worship and of self-purification. The fourth pillar is called the Sawm which means fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the fifth one known as Hajj is pilgrimage to Mecca, since the hajj is a set of rituals that take place in and around Mecca every year. Carrying out these obligations provides the framework of a Muslim s life, and weaves their everyday a ctivities and their beliefs into a single unit of religious devotion. No matter how sincerely a person may believe, Islam regards it as pointless to live life without putting that faith into action and practice. Other ways in which a Muslim engages in the greater Jihad could include the following:Show MoreRelatedDifferences Between Islam And Shinto1795 Words   |  8 Pagestheir core all religions are the same. They all follow a structure and share a basic concept of a something greater that can not be fully comprehended by the human mind. 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