Despite the fact that one in every five people of Earth is a Muslim and that Islam is the fastest growing ideology in the world, it is still much misunderstood by many. This is because over the centuries many lies and fabrications have been perpetuated by various persons and institutions, for various reasons. In modern times, the media plays the most prominent role in spreading these fabrications. To the end of removing these misconceptions we present below brief answers to some of the frequently asked questions about Islam.

Humanity progresses through thought. The most important factor affecting our actions in life is the thoughts we believe in and carry. Without thought we drift aimlessly from situation to situation, waiting for things to happen and reacting to them, rather than initiating action and progressing.

Humanity needs to take a comprehensive view of what we are, and how we fit into the scheme of life in its entirety. Most people are generally interested in finding an answer to these basic questions, but finding these answers needs to be given more importance than mere curiosity. These answers are required as a reference point upon which to regulate our affairs.

ISLAM

Its presence is felt in all walks of life, from international politics to religious and ideological circles to personal lifestyle. This is because Islam is a dynamic way of life based on a powerful intellectual doctrine. Islam does not establish itself in its followers by blind faith or imitation, but rather by an invitation to the human being to think deeply about his/her existence and surroundings.

Islam calls human beings to ponder upon the profound nature of this universe. The world around us shows many phenomena that establish a definitive proof for the existence of the Creator.

Since the Creator has created man, life and the universe (see article ‘Proving the Existence of the Creator’), there must have been a purpose for the creation and a means by which this purpose is to be achieved.

The obvious questions that proceed are: How does man receive the purpose, rules and regulations, if any, given by the Creator, by which he is to govern and understand his life? And in what form are these rules and regulations received by man?

Islam is the continuation and culmination of all the preceding revealed religions and hence it is for all times and all peoples. This status of Islam is sustained by glaring facts. Firstly, there is no other revealed book extant in the same form and content as it was revealed. Secondly, no other revealed religion has any convincing claim to provide guidance in all walks of human life for all times. Uniquely Islam addresses humanity at large and offers guidance regarding all human problems. Moreover, it has withstood the test of fourteen hundred years and has all the potentialities of establishing an ideal society, as ideal as humanely possible, as it did under the leadership of the last Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

During the centuries of the crusades, all sorts of slanders were invented against Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This approach has been maintained ever since. However in more recent time there have been some academics and scholars who have removed the veil of partisanship and written about him with a degree of impartiality. A sampling of their views is given in this presentation.

Humanity has received Divine guidance through two channels: firstly the word of God, secondly the prophets who were chosen by God to communicate His Will to human beings. These two things have always been going together and attempts to know the Will of God by neglecting either of these two have always been misleading. The Hindus neglected their prophets and paid all attention to their books that proved only word puzzles which they ultimately lost. Similarly, the Christians, in total disregard to the Book of God, attached all importance to Christ and thus not only elevated him to Divinity, but also lost the very essence of monotheism contained in the Bible.

The image of Muslim women is often misrepresented in the West. The portrayal is one of oppression and withholding of rights. The reality is in stark contrast.

THE HISTORY

If we examine the Western tradition we see a quite disturbing portrayal of women. The Aristotelian view, whereby women were not full human beings, was carried on into the early Christian tradition of the Catholic Church. A mere fifty years before the advent of Islam there was a gathering of bishops in France to discuss whether women possessed souls or not, and, if so, what was their purpose on earth? The conclusion: women do possess souls but that their purpose was not just to worship God, but also to serve men.

A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam is a simple book explaining the scientific miracles clearly stated by God in the Holy Quran.