Originally Posted by
ladyc56
What are the central beliefs of Islam
shygrneyzs,
The link you gave does not seem to be there anymore, so I am just providing the necessary information, hope you don't mind!
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http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamen...s.html#Lesson2
Lesson 2: The 5 Pillars of Islam
To testify that there is no true God but Allah and that Muhammad (saas), is His last Messenger and the last of prophets.
To perform the obligatory Prayers (5 times a day).
To Pay ZAKAT (Poor-due once a year).
To Fast during the month of Ramadan.
To perform Hajj and Umrah (Pilgrimage - Once in lifetime, if one is capable of).
Lesson 3: The Fundamental Articles of Iman (Faith)
To believe:
In Allah.
In His Angels.
In His revealed Books.
In His Messengers.
In the Last day or Resurrection.
In al-Qadr - Pre-ordainments [i.e. whatever Allah has ordained must come to pass - in other words, fate and destiny].
Lesson 4: Tawheed (Islamic Monotheism)
Tawheed (Islamic Monotheism) has three aspects:
Oneness of [the Lordship of Allah] - "Tawheed al Rububiyyah". To believe that there is only one Lord for all the universe, Its Creator, Organizer, Planner, Sustainer and Giver of Security etc. and that is Allah.
Oneness of the worship of Allah - "Tawheed al Uluhiyyah". To believe that none has the right to be worshipped (e.g. by praying, invoking, asking for help (from the unseen), swearing, slaughtering sacrificing, giving charity, Fasting, and Pilgrimage etc,) should only be directed to Allah.
Oneness of the Names and the qualities of Allah, "Tawheed al Asma was-Sifat". To believe that:
We must not name or qualify Allah except with what He or His Messenger, has named or qualified Him.
None deserve to be named or qualified with the Names or Qualifications of Allah; e.g. Al-Karim (All-Generous).
We must confirm all of Allah�s Qualifications which Allah has stated in His Book (the Holy Qur�an) or mentioned through His Messenger Muhammad (saas), without changing them or ignoring them completely or twisting the meanings or giving resemblance to any of the created things. Allah is present over His Throne, as mentioned in the Qur�an (20:5).
The Most Beneficent Allah "Istawa" (rose over) the (Mighty) Throne, and that Allah descends to the (nearest) Heaven to us on the Day of �Arafat� (i.e. the 9th of Dhul Hijja), and also during the last third part of the night as mentioned by the Prophet, but He is with us by His Knowledge, not by His Supreme Entity (Bi Dhatihi).
"There is nothing like unto Him and He is All-Hearer, the All-Seer". (Qur�an 42:11)
This Ayah (verse) confirms the quality of hearing and the quality of the sight of Allah without any resemblance to others.
He, also says:
"To one whom I have created with Both My Hands". (Qur�an 38:75)
And He, Says:
"The Hand of Allah is over their hands". (Qur�an 48:10)
This confirms two Hands for Allah, but there is no similarity for them. This is the faith of all the true believers, and was the faith of all the prophets of Allah, from �May Peace be upon him� Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus till the last of the Prophets Muhammad (saas). It is not like as some people think that Allah is present here, there and everywhere. This is not true. Allah tells us that He is above Heaven, over His Throne.
These three aspects of Tawheed are included in the meaning of "La ilaha ill-Allah" [None has the right to be worshipped but Allah].
It is essential to follow Allah�s Messenger Muhammad (saas), in the right path and it is a part of Tawheed al Uluhiyyah.
This is included in the meaning,
"I testify that Muhammad (saas), is Allah�s Messenger", and this means, "None has the right to be followed after Allah�s Book (the Qur�an) but Allah�s Messenger ". (Qur�an 59:7 and 3:31)
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