In the Name of Allah (God), the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Features of Islam
ISLAM: THE RELIGION OF PEACE - The word "Islam" literally means: (1) peace; (2) submission. The word signifies complete submission to the Will of Allah, The Only God.
OBJECT OF THE RELIGION - Islam provides its followers with a perfect code, whereby that may work out what is noble and good in man, and thus maintain peace between man and man.
THE PROPHET OF ISLAM - Muhammad, popularly known as the Prophet of Islam, was, however, the last of the Prophets. Muslims, the followers of Islam, accept all such prophets of the world, including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (peace be with them), as revealed by the Will of Allah for the guidance of humanity.
THE QUR'AN - The scripture of the Muslims is the Qur'an. Muslims believe in the Divine origin of every other sacred book. Inasmuch as all such previous revelations have become corrupted through human interpolation, the Qur'an, the last Book of Allah, came as a recapitulation of the former scriptures.
ARTICLES OF FAITH IN ISLAM - These are seven in number: Belief in (1) Allah, The Only God; (2) The Angels; (3) The Books from Allah; (4) The Messengers from Allah; (5) The Hereafter; (6) The Premeasurement of good and evil; (7) The Resurrection after death.
PILLARS OF ISLAM - These are five in number: (1) Declaration of faith in the Oneness of Allah, and in the Divine Messengership of Muhammad; (2) Prayer; (3) Fasting; (4) Alms-giving; (5) Pilgrimage to the Holy Ka'aba (House of Allah, built by Prophet Abraham and his son Ismael) in the city of Mecca.
ATTRIBUTES OF ALLAH - The Muslims worship One God, Allah - The Almighty, The All-Knowing, The All-Just, The Cherished of All the worlds, The Friend, The Helper. There is none like Him. He has no partner. He is neither begotten nor has He begotten any son or daughter. He is indivisible in Person. He is The Light of the heavens and the earth, The Merciful, The Compassionate, The Glorious, The Magnificent, The Beautiful, The Eternal, The Infinite, The First and The Last.
FAITH AND ACTION - Faith without action is dead letter. Faith by itself is insufficient, unless translated into action. A Muslim believes in his own personal accountability for his actions in this life and the Hereafter. Each must bear his own burden and none can expiate for another's sin.
CAPABILITIES OF MAN IN ISLAM - The Muslim believes in the inherent sinlessness of man's nature, which, made of the best fiber, is capable of unlimited progress and development.
EQUALITY OF MANKIND AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF ISLAM - Islam is the religion of the Unity of Allah and the equality of mankind. Lineage, riches, and family honors are accidental things; virtue and the service of humanity are matters of real merit. Distinctions of color, race, and creed are unknown in the principles of Islam.
KNOWLEDGE - The pursuit of knowledge is a duty in Islam, and it is the acquisition of knowledge that makes men superior, even to angels.
SANCTITY OF LABOR - Every labor which enables man to live honestly is respected. Idleness (laziness) is deemed a sin.
CHARITY - All the faculties of man have been given to him as a trust from Allah for the benefit of his fellow-creatures. It is man's duty to live for others and his charities must be applied without any distinction of persons. Charity in Islam brings man nearer to Allah. Charity and the giving of alms have been made obligatory, and every person who possesses property above a certain limit has to pay a tax, levied on the rich for the benefit of the poor.