Major Beliefs
Muslims believe Islam is God's final message to humankind, a
reconfirmation and perfection of the messages that God has
revealed through earlier prophets.
A. Oneness of God: The central Muslim belief is that there
is only one God to be worshipped, unique incomparable,
eternal, absolute and without peer or associate. Allah is
the name of the One and Only God in Arabic. The word
Allah
is used by Muslims, Christians and Jews alike who speak the
Arabic language. Allah has ninety-nine beautiful names, such
as: The Gracious, The Merciful, The Beneficent, The Creator,
The All-Knowing, The All-Wise, The Lord of the Universe, and
others. He is the Creator of all human beings. Muslims do
not believe in the idea of a trinity or a unity with God
which implies more than one God in one.
B. Oneness of mankind: Other important tenets of Islam are
that God is the Creator of all that exists and that His will
is supreme. People are created equal in front of the Law of
God and there is no superiority for one race over another.
God made humans of different colors, nationalities,
languages and beliefs so that we get to know each other. The
best of people are those who are pious and
righteous.
C. Oneness of Messengers and the Message: Muslims believe
that God sent different messengers and prophets throughout
the history of mankind in order to guide them. Muslims
believe in Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob, Moses,
David, Jesus, and Muhammad. All came with the same message
to worship the one true God. Some were sent books, such as
the original Torah or the original Gospel. However over time
the true message was changed or misinterpreted. Muhammad is
the 'seal' of all the prophets -- that is, the last.
D. Angels and the Day of Judgment: Muslims believe that
there are unseen immortal creatures such as angels created
by God in the universe for special tasks. Satan was also
created to test mankind. Muslims also believe that humans
are responsible to God for their actions; and that, on the
Day of Judgment, an all-knowing and merciful God will judge
His creation according to their deeds in this life. On that
'day' all people of the world throughout the history of
mankind till the last day of life on earth, are to be
brought for accounting. The reward or punishment is to be
Heaven or Hell.
E. Innocence of Man at Birth: Muslims believe that people
are born free of sin. It is only after they reach the age of
puberty and it is only after they commit sins that they are
to be charged for their mistakes. No one is responsible for
or can take the responsibility for the sins of others.
However, the door of forgiveness through true repentance to
God is always open.
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