Understanding Islam Who are Muslims? One billion people from a vast range of races, nationalities and cultures across the globe from the southern Philippines to Nigeria are united by the Muslim faith. About 18 percent^ live in the Arab world while the world’s largest^ Muslim population lives in Indonesia; substantial^ parts of Asia and most of Africa are Muslim. What do Muslims believe? Muslims believe in one unique, incomparable God^ in the angels created by him; in the prophets through i whom his revelations were brought to mankind; in the i day of judgment and individual accountability fori actions; in God’s complete authority over human destiny^ and in life after death. But God's final message to man N a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summary^ r of all that has gone before was revealed to the Prophet^ 'Muhammad through Gabriel. What Is Islam? How does someone become a Muslim? For one-fifth of the world's population, Islam is a religion and a way of life. Islam is based on the principles of peace, mercy and forgiveness. Followers of Islam believe in God, who they call Allah and believe that Muhammad was a prophet of Allah. The Quran is the holy book for Muslims. Simply hy saying, ‘There is no god apart from God, and I r Muhammad is the messenger of God.' By this declaration, the fbeliever announces his or her faith in all God’s messengers, and the] 1 scriptures they brought. What does Islam mean? The Arabic word “Islam” simply means “submission," and^ [derives from a word meaning "peace.” In a religious context it’ I means complete submission to the will of God. "Mohammedanism" , lis thus a misnomer because it suggests that Muslims worship^ i Muhammad rather than God. “Allah” is the Arabic name for God. , (which is used by Arab Muslims and Christians alike. k XV What does Islam say about war? Like Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self-defense, in defense of reli gion, or on the part of those who have been expelled forcibly from their" L homes. It lays down strict rules of combat that include prohibitions against" farming civilians and against destroying crops, trees and livestock. As Muslims" ^ee it. injustice would be triumphant in the world if good men were not prepared' .to risk their lives for a righteous cause. According to the Quran, “Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors." (2:190) “If they seek peace then you seek' peace. And trust in God for he is the One that heareth and knoweth all things." (8:61) War, therefore, is the last resort, and is the subject to the rigorous conditions laid down by the sacred law. The term jihad literally means “struggle,” and Muslims believe there are two kinds of jihad. The other "jihad" is the inner struggle which everyone wages against^ selfish desires, for the sake of attaining inner peace. What about Muslim women? Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an individual with the right to own and dispose of her property and earnings^ Men and women should dress in a way which is dignified; the traditions of female dress found in some Muslim countries are^ often the expression of local customs. How does Islam guarantee Human Rights? The life and property of all citizens in an Islamic state are considered sacred^ whether a person is Muslim or not. Islam is a religion open to alj^ people from any race or background. M ■ - ^ g§§ m it IMS ISIll. .Jiy ''.'Ads nr 1:.: Contributors: Dahlia Denton, Sayeda Ismail, Emily Martin and Emily Peters * ^; Design: Sharmila Badkar and Kelly Preiser Special Jhanks to the members of the Muslim Student AslociaMh who participated in this project. ■I m pgilP ii On tN home! relatioithe A&Mc nity Bvfe daughte he said. of Since the Sept i! students at Texas M dent body havete mon, peaceful uo Muslim side, but uneasy since theal “I think wealllo Sept. ll,”amalef said. “A lot of usste)!j going in publicaftert say [our fear] But still, going in piD people lookingaty# fall over the place of iky, you know, all kindsf" j He said that evenT ibe wrong. ! not go ( somewh she wen "Wher ‘We wer nobody driving 1 but they did not simple a so they Sabir Begum noticed mother children trying to trying to "Even their ha make tt skeptica my wife, them he being.’ 1 not com them," S In spit in the c said tha non-Mus been po misunde The g caused and wha cated pe see som Faisal services become that it is of Muslii I won but with East, th( what we “That se this, and thin "Am on \ very par ler Jit deri Jje %e. See anc tun the like up thinking anythingnei^j He said it is a com# cure and of other p “That's such a W 1 are lost,” he these things... is nothing in then#! but we are conscious criminals? Do they#’ kt? Maybe when theystf 1 ^s, ‘Should I be caret.." ^ watch myself when ^ The Bryan and Coli fcd the group to be caret They were told to be thing were to American soldiers. The Sept. 11 eve# of understanding at One participant, a graduate student #