Detailing the Islamic religion

After the tragic events of Sept. 11, Osama bin Laden and other Islamic extremists have typified the average Muslim to the American public's perception. But in actuality, most Muslims condemn bin Laden and the Taliban as contrary to Islamic teaching. With fully one fifth of the world professed Muslims, it is important to break beyond fearful stereotypes and understand the basic tenets of Islam.

The name "Islam" originates from the Arabic root word "salama," which means peace. As a result, Islam literally translates into "peace through submission to God"; according to Usman Zaheer, president of the Johns Hopkins Muslim Association. Muslims worship the same Supreme Being as do Christians and Jews but instead call Him "Allah" which is Arabic for God.

"Islam is a way of life, not just a belief system," said Farid Younous, an expert on Islam and a speaker at the Islamic Awareness Week event, "Gender Equality and Islam" on Monday, Sept. 29.

While Islam shares the Christian and Jewish belief in the existence of Jesus and Moses, it denies that Jesus was the son of God and instead maintains that both men were God's prophets.

"Muslims believe God sent Muhammad as the final Messenger and that the true teachings of Moses and Jesus were lost throughout time," explained Zaheer.

Much of Islam centers around the "last prophet" Muhammad, who lived during the 6th century in Arabia. After God revealed the truth to him through the angel Gabriel, Muhammad established a civilization in Medina and eventually united much of the Arab world under Islam. He urged his people to shun idol worship and to always maintain justice and morality. Muslims view Muhammad as the ultimate example of the sinless man and often look to his life for guidance.

"Everything was designed for Muhammad," said Younous. "Everything he did was a symbol. His life is a role model for us."

Overall, Muslims derive religious guidance from two major sources: "the Quran" and "the Hadith."

"God revealed the Qurran" to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel," said Zaheef. "The Quran is the holy book of Islam, and it is still in tact in its original Arabic word for word, just as Muhammad received it."

"The Hadith" is a collection of statements and pronouncements of Muhammad throughout his lifetime. Worship in Islam consists of five pillars, said Zaheer. The first is a simple, wholehearted declaration of faith in God.

The second pillar establishes Muslims' religious duty to perform five daily prayers. While they are encouraged to pray in groups, Muslims are only required to do so for the noon prayer on Friday, which is led by an imam, or a prayer leader. Each prayer must be performed at certain times of the day: dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and evening.

Zakat, or almsgiving, consists the third pillar of Islam.

"Every year a Muslim must donate 2.5 percent of his or her savings to charity," said Zaheer. "This charity serves to remind Muslims that God is the source of all aid and to teach Muslims how to share."

The fourth pillar requires Muslims to fast during the Islamic lunar month of Ramadan from sunrise to sunset each day, a period that will begin around Nov. 16 this year.

"Fasting includes abstaining totally from eating, drinking and sinful deeds," said Zaheer. "It reminds a Muslim about his dependence on God and teaches a Muslim patience."

The fifth pillar is the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca. According to Zaheer, "Every Muslim who is able to must perform the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his or her life."

Some Muslims consider the concept of jihad as the sixth pillar. While it has often been interpreted to mean holy war, jihad actually means "to struggle" to please God. This can include leading a virtuous life or helping others, although western media has emphasized its less common militant implications.

Aside from the basic tenets of Islam, Zaheer emphasized Islam's opposition to violence like that of Sept. 11.

"The acts committed on Sept. 11 are considered totally against the teachings of Islam," said Zaheer.

Islam is not based on violence and intolerance but rather reason, said Younous.

"The foundation of Islam is knowledge," said Younous. "And knowledge of Islam is not like physics, chemistry or calculus where there's an end. Islam is an ocean.