Beliefs

Q. Who is Allah?

A. The word “Allah” is used by all Arabic-speaking peoples (Muslims and non-Muslims) to mean “God”. In Islam Allah is One (indivisible and without partners), the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all of creation needs. He “begets not, nor was He begotten” and nothing is comparable to Him. He is absolutely independent on anything else. For example, He does not eat, sleep, become tired, or die. When Prophet Moses was asked this question, he replied: “Our Lord is He Who gave to each thing its form and nature, then guided it aright; Who has made the earth for you like a bed (spread out); Who has opened roads for you therein; Who has sent down water (rain) from the sky.” (20:50-53)

Allah is perfect in every sense of the word and in ways beyond human comprehension. He accepts sincere repentance and lavishes His Mercy on whom He pleases.

Q. Why do Muslims view Adam as sinless?

A. Islam teaches that only Allah (The One God) could forgive sins and award degrees of piety. He is the Ultimate Judge in the matter of the state of sinfulness of any member of His creation. Muslims believe that Adam was sinless because Allah declares him forgiven in the Quran. A debt that is "forgiven" remains no more. Islam teaches that Allah's forgiveness is wider than any sin any human could commit. One passage of the Quran may be translated: "Say (O Muhammad) to My servants who have utterly transgressed against themselves (by committing sins)! Do not despair of the Mercy of Allah; verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (39:53) Adam repented sincerely and Allah forgave him. It is for every sinner to mend his/her ways and benefit from Allah's Forgiveness and Mercy.

Q. What do Muslims say to non-Muslims in the matter of “godhead”?

A. Muslims extend an invitation saying, “Come to a just word, just between you and us: that we worship none but Allah, that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah. We believe in that which was revealed to us and revealed to you; our ‘God' and your ‘God' is One, and to Him we have submitted.”

Q. Why do Muslims believe in the virgin birth of Jesus, since they do not view him as divine?

A. Muslims believe whatever Allah and Prophet Muhammad taught of matters of belief. Muslims believe that Prophet Jesus was of a virgin birth because the Quran clearly states this. In fact, the Quran identifies the first miracle of Jesus as his defending the honor of his noble mother, Maryam (Mary), against understandable public accusations that could have devastated her reputation. He declared her chaste and his birth miraculous.

The question conveys the impression that one must believe that Jesus was divine because he had a miraculous birth - he had no material father. What does this reasoning make of Adam who had neither father nor mother? How much more 'divine' would be the biblical character Melchisedek who was "Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life..."? (Hebrews 7:3)

Q. Who was Muhammad?

A. He was the last of the prophets sent by Allah for the benefit of all humanity. Prophets were personifications of human virtues and taught by words and actions lessons integral to success in this world and Hereafter. Muhammad was a descendant of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) through his son Ishmael (Ismael). His advent and caliber are extolled in previous scriptures.

Although he was the “king” of what was arguably the strongest empire in his day, Muhammad lived in the humblest of circumstances. He left no male descendant. Today, his name is revered and celebrated 24/7 all over the globe.
 

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Beliefs
Who is Allah?
Why Adam sinless?
Muslims & "Godhead"
Jesus' virgin birth
Who was Muhammad?

Rituals
Prescribed rituals

  Sharee'ah
What is the Sharee'ah?
 Sharee'ah & democracy