Mosques

A mosque is place of worship of Muslims, who often refer to it by its Arabic name, masjid. The word mosque in English refers to all types of buildings dedicated to Islamic worship, although there is a distinction in Arabic between the smaller, privately owned mosque and the larger, "collective" mosque (masjid jāmi`). Although the primary purpose of the mosque is to serve as a place of prayer, it is also important to theMuslim community as a place to meet and study. Modern mosques have evolved greatly from the early designs of the 7th century, and contain a variety of architectural elements such as minarets.

Five Pillars

Muslims pray in field

• The sahadah which is the basic creed or tenet of Islam that must be recited under an oath with the following specific statement: "'ašhadu 'al-lā ilāha illā-llāhu wa 'ašhadu 'anna muħammadan rasūlu-llāh", or "I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God." This testament is a foundation for all other beliefs and practices in Islam. Muslims must repeat the shahadah in prayer, and non-Muslims wishing to convert to Islam are required to recite the creed.
• Salah or ritual prayer, which must be performed five times a day. Each salah is done facing towards the kaaba in Mecca. Salah is intended to focus the mind on God, and is seen as a personal communication with him that expresses gratitude and worship Salah is compulsory but flexibility in the specifics is allowed depending on circumstances. In many Muslim countries, reminders called Adhan (call to prayer) are broadcast publicly from local mosques at the appropriate times. The prayers are recited in the Arabic language, and consist of verses from the Qur'an.
• Zakat or alms-giving.This is the practice of giving based on accumulated wealth, and is obligatory for all Muslims who can afford it. A fixed portion is spent to help the poor or needy, and also to assist the spread of Islam. The zakat is considered a religious obligation (as opposed to voluntary charity) that the well-off owe to the needy because their wealth is seen as a "trust from God's bounty". The Qur'an and the hadith also suggest a Muslim give even more as an act of voluntary alms-giving (sadaqah).
• Sawm, or fasting during the month Ramadan. Muslims must not eat or drink (among other things) from dawn to dusk during this month, and must be mindful of other sins. The fast is to encourage a feeling of nearness to God, and during it Muslims should express their gratitude for and dependence on him, atone for their past sins, and think of the needy. Sawm is not obligatory for several groups for whom it would constitute an undue burden. For others, flexibility is allowed depending on circumstances, but missed fasts usually must be made up quickly. Some Muslim groups do not fast during Ramadan, and instead have fasts at different times of the year.

• The Hajj, which is the pilgrimage during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the city of Mecca. Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it must make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime. When the pilgrim is about ten kilometers from Mecca, he must dress in Ihram clothing,which consists of two white seamless sheets. Rituals of the Hajj include walking seven times around the Kaaba, touching the black stone if possible, walking or running seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah, and symbolically stoning the Devil in Mina. The pilgrim, or the hajji, is honored in his or her community, although Islamic teachers say that the Hajj should be an expression of devotion to God instead of a means to gain social standing.

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Muhamad the perfect

RASULULLAH TOMB AT MADINAH









Muhammad is the prophet of Islam. He was a religious, political, and military leader who founded the religion of Islam. Muslims view him not as the creator of a new religion, but as the restorer of the original, uncorrupted monotheistic faith of Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and others. In Muslim tradition, Muhammad is viewed as the last and the greatest in a series of prophets-as the man closest to perfection, the possessor of all virtues. For the last 23 years of his life, beginning at age 40, Muhammad reported receiving revelations from God. The content of these revelations, known as the Qur'an, was memorized and recorded by his companions.
In Islam, the "normative" example of Muhammad's life is called the sunnah (literally "trodden path"). This example is preserved in traditions known as hadith ("reports"), which recount his words, his actions, and his personal characteristics. The classical Muslim jurist ash safi'i(d. 820) emphasized the importance of the Sunnah in islamic law, and Muslims are encouraged to emulate Muhammad's actions in their daily lives. The Sunnah is seen as crucial to guiding interpretation of the Qur'an.

QUR'AN

Muslims believe that the verses of the Qur'an were revealed to Muhammad S.A.W by God through the angel Gabriel on many occasions between 610 and his death on June 8, 632. The Qur'an was reportedly written down by Muhammad's companions (sahabat) while he was alive, although the prime method of transmission was orally. It was compiled in the time of Abu Bakar assidiq the first calip, and was standardized under the administration of Uthman the third caliph.
The Qur'an is divided into 114 surah, or chapters, which combined, contain 6,236 ayat, or verses.
The chronologically earlier suras, revealed at Mecca, are primarily concerned with ethical and spiritual topics. The later Medinan suras mostly discuss social and moral issues relevant to the Muslim community.The Qur'an is more concerned with moral guidance than legal instruction.

Transcription And Translation.

1.	بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم	bi-smi llāhi r-rahmāni r-rahīm	In the name of the merciful and gracious God.
2.	الحمد لله رب العلمين	al-hamdu li-llāhi rabbi l-ʿālamīn	Praise be to God, the Lord of people around the world,
3.	الرحمن الرحيم	ar-rahmāni r-rahīm	the Most Merciful and Gracious
4.	ملك يوم الدين	māliki yaumi d-dīn	ruled on the Day of Judgement!
5.	إياك نعبد وإياك نستعين	iyyāka naʿbudu wa-iyyāka nastaʿīn	Thee do we serve and Thee we ask for your help!
6.	اهدنا الصرط المستقيم	ihdinā s-sirāta l-mustaqīm	Show us the straight way,
7.	صرط الذين أنعمت عليهم غير المغضوب عليهم ولا الضآلين	sirāta lladhīna anʿamta ʿalaihim ghairi l-maghdūbi ʿalaihim wa-lā d-dālīn	the path of those whom you have bestowed favor, not (the path) of those who d (a) are forfeited em anger and astray!