BELIEFS ABOUT ALLAH/GOD
We all want to make it through life with some degree of success, some sense that we did it right. And if others think they know how life can be satisfying, even meaningful, it’s at least checking out. What about the major world religions? Is there anything in them that would give our lives greater stability and value?
The following is an opportunity to look into the major world religions, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, new-age. Each of these systems has sects with differing beliefs. The description given here focuses on the heart of that system. Included is a brief description of each, its distinguishing characteristics, and what a person can gain from each.
ISLAM AND ITS BELIEFS
Muslims believe there is the one almighty God, named Allah, who is infinitely superior to and transcendent from human kind. Allah is viewed as the creator of the universe and the source of all good and all evil. Everything that happens is Allah’s will. He is a powerful and strict judge, who will be merciful toward followers depending on the sufficiency of their life’s good works and religious devotion. A follower’s relationship with Allah is as a servant to Allah.
Though a Muslim honors several prophets, Muhammad (SAW) is considered the last Prophet and his words and life style are that person’s authority. To be a Muslim, one has to follow five religious duties:
(1) Repeat a creed about Allah and Muhammad (SAW)
(2) Recite certain prayers in Arabic five time a day
(3) Give to the needy
(4) One month, each year, fast from food, drink, sex and smoking from sun rise to sun set.
(5) Pilgrimage once in one’s life time to worship at a shrine in Mecca
At death – based on one’s faithfulness to these duties, a Muslim hope to enter in paradise. If not they will be eternally punished in Hell.
For many people, Islam matches their expectations about religion and deity. Islam teaches that there is one supreme God, who is worshipped through good deeds and disciplined religious rituals. After death a person is rewarded or punished according to their religious devotion.
