A Beginner’s Guide to ISLAM

For many people living busy lives, to get an understanding of Islam is not easy or indeed possible. By the time you have attended to making a living, raising a family, engaging in recreational activities and fulfilling your social obligations, there is just no time left to understand why Islam is so in your face these days. In the newspapers, on TV and even on-line, there are daily scenes of atrocities, from bombings, shootings, honour killings, rape, piracy, forced marriages, news on polygamy, forced conversions to Islam, burning of churches and so on.
Sometimes you may stop to wonder “why”?

Because the busy person does not have time to sit down with an Imam or take time off from work to visit a mosque on Fridays, we have compiled a simple guide to “what is Islam” to help you get a better understanding of why the world seems to be going crazy.

Of course it is very easy to become a muslim. All that is required is to recite the Testimony of Faith.
The first pillar of Faith : al-Shahaadatayn.

“None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and Mohammed is his slave and messenger”.

But Islam is a bit like debt. Easy to get into, but so hard to escape from (and more dangerous).
If you leave Islam for whatever reason and become an apostate, then you must be killed!

Consider then the TEN steps to being a good muslim.

TEN easy Steps to being a good Muslim

1. Every muslim must follow Mohammed’s example.

The Quran is quite explicit here, that every muslim should follow the “perfect example” of Allah’s prophet, Mohammed.

“Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the Praise of Allah.” [Sura 33.21]

So the first step is for you to follow what Mohammed did.

2. The first duty is to Jihad (جهاد) - ǧihād

Jihad is an Arabic word which comes from the root word "jahada"; which means "exerting utmost effort" or "to strive". In Islamic tradition it means "to struggle in the way of Allah" and is sometimes referred to as the sixth tenneth of Islam.

For the vast majority of practising Muslims Jihad means a Holy War, a military struggle in the name of Allah.
The entire sura 9 (The Sura of the Sword) of the Qur’an deals with Jihad and Muslim duties related to the spreading of Dar al Islam.
In addition to the above, the Hadith defines Jihad as a violent warfare against infidels on 199 occasions.
In contrast, the theory of a Greater Jihad or a peaceful inner struggle is based upon only one reference and from a non authoritative collection of Hadith.
Today all the legal Islamists posing as moderates try to convince their Western audience that it is the ‘Greater Jihad’, which is the most important for Muslim spiritual life but the actions of militant Islam everywhere seem to contradict this claim.

Now consider what Mohammed tells us is the greatest priority for every muslim.
From the Hadith collection.

Bukhari Volume 2, Book 26, Number 594: Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet was asked, "Which is the best deed?" He said, "To believe in Allah and His Apostle." He was then asked, "Which is the next (in goodness)?" He said, "To participate in Jihad in Allah's Cause."

So each and every muslim is obliged to participate in Jihad.
And who can ever forget the words of Sheik Feiz Mohammed from Undercover Mosque fame?

“The pinnacle, the crest, the summit of Islam is……..Jihad!”.

Now you ask what could be the purpose of the Jihad?

3. The whole world must be converted to Islam.

The Quran now tells us that Mohammed was sent to bring Islam to the whole world.

“It is He Who hath sent His Messenger with guidance and the Religion of Truth, to proclaim it over all religion, even though the Pagans may detest (it)”. [Sura 9.33]

So now we know that every muslim is called to participate in Jihad with the aim to bring Islam to the whole world. So what will bring victory and how do we do this? Once again, we look to Mohammed.

4. Mohammed states that Terror brings Victory.

Mohammed is very clear here. He achieved victory through the use of Terror! From the Hadith collection.

Al-Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 220: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "I have been sent with the shortest expressions bearing the widest meanings, and I have been made victorious with terror (cast in the hearts of the enemy), and while I was sleeping, the keys of the treasures of the world were brought to me and put in my hand." Abu Huraira added: Allah's Apostle has left the world and now you, people, are bringing out those treasures (i.e. the Prophet did not benefit by them).

And this is supported by the Quran.

“Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): "I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I will instill terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them." [Sura 8.12]

So this is very clear. Terror is the tool that brings about victory (according to Mohammed).
And good muslims everywhere are finding many ways to strike terror into the infidels, from flying planes into tall buildings, blowing up railway stations, London buses, tourist havens in Bali, burning churches, forest fires, beheadings and many more.

5. Allah will punish you if you don’t fight.

By now you will be aware that to be a good muslim, you must engage in Jihad and use terror to be victorious. If this thought makes you a little squeamish, consider what will happen if you DON’T follow Mohammed’s example and conduct Jihad with terror.
From the Quran we learn this:

“Unless ye go forth, He will punish you with a grievous penalty, and put others in your place; but Him ye would not harm in the least. For Allah hath power over all things.” [Sura 9.39]

So understand that if you don’t join in the Jihad, Allah will punish you!
Perhaps we should pause at this point and take some guidance from a Saudi cleric on Jihad.

To get some guidance from a Saudi Cleric please click here.