About Islam - Islamic Center In Stillwater

We arrive in this world alone, navigate its challenges individually, face academic trials independently, and are recognized by our names alone on all official documents. Our departure from this life is also solitary. Given this inherent individuality, why should we not be assessed and held accountable for our actions and deeds on our own? Why do we then attempt to excuse misdeeds by claiming ‘we were merely following instructions’? If individual experience is the norm, then the path we choose in life is unequivocally our personal responsibility.

Did I compose this page to persuade you to embrace (revert to) Islam?

My objective is straightforward. All I aim for is to empower the reader to be in control of their own decisions. The goal is to resist external influences, whether from the media, friends, television, or teachings you’ve accepted blindly.

The objective is to make you READ. I acknowledge that this has become challenging in an era dominated by phone apps displaying short videos, micro-blogging, and social media fostering impatience by presenting different ideas (and ideals) like enticing candies, all geared towards achieving one goal: “They want to think for you!”

But you wrote everything here. How do I know you’re telling the truth?

Once again, I want the visitor to READ. After you’re done reading, please READ MORE! If you come across something or read a passage that resonates with you, research it and ensure it’s the truth. Verify that it’s not a fabrication and that it aligns with the principles of the Muslim faith. Ultimately, I want you to be the master of your own decisions. This is the goal. Your freedom of being able to make your own decisions is the goal.

So you want me to read about Islam to become a Muslim?

Islam won’t win with your conversion and your current religion won’t lose if you leave it. I am being pragmatic here. You read, you compare, and you decide. The keyword here is: “You.”

About “ABOUT ISLAM”

Islam inherently promotes human rights, the freedom of choice (surprise?) and the freedom of speech among other fundamental rights. I firmly believe that the most constructive approach is to provide individuals with the opportunity to read and decide for themselves.

Dictating ideas or spreading misinformation is contrary to the principles of Islam. Many verses in the Quran emphasize the idea that embracing a faith is a personal choice. It is personal because individuals will be judged alone, based on their own decisions. God, Exalted He is, says in the Quran:

Read in the name of thy Lord Who creates (1) Creates man from a clot (2) Read and thy Lord is most Generous (3) Who taught by the pen (4) Taught man what he knew not (5) [Quran 96: 1-5]

There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing. [Quran 2: 256]

*Taghut: Whichever that is being worshiped, or accepts being worshiped, other than Allah.

I decided to create this web page to serve as a humble portal, providing basic, authentic, and legitimate information about Islam. My main goal is to encourage readers to ask more questions, conduct their own research, make up their own minds, and be in control of their final decision about Islam.

Ultimately, this introduction aims to provide an understanding of Islam, empowering visitors to form their own conclusions. It encourages an assessment of Islam based on its intrinsic principles rather than being influenced by the media or the actions of certain individuals who may not fully represent the teachings of the faith, or worse, those who may deliberately seek to desecrate it.

Please remember that this is by no means a complete or ultimate resource to learn about Islam. It is just a starting point that we hope will prompt you to ask more questions.

This concise summary is designed to serve as a standalone resource and a springboard for further research. Take the time to peruse it at your convenience, and feel free to inquire, offer comments, or delve deeper into related investigations. It’s crucial to bear in mind that life grants us just one opportunity; there is no chance to rectify our erroneous choices or mistakes once we depart it.

JESUS: A PROPHET OF GOD
LEARN THE BASICS

Muslims Love Jesus. Jesus is a figure who is loved and revered by billions of people the world over, yet there is much confusion surrounding the status of this colossal personality. Muslims and Christians both hold Jesus in high regard but view him in very different ways. In this page we aim to clarify the issues surrounding Jesus: Was Jesus God, or was he sent by God? Who was the real historical Jesus? Why do Muslim revere him? And how "his message" is related to the message of Islam?

THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

Every sound structure must have a solid foundation in order to remain strong. Islam’s foundation is the five pillars it was built upon, forming the basis of Islamic teaching as taught by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), wherein he said: Islam is built upon five pillars:
1. The Declaration of Faith (Shahadah);
2. Establishing regular prayers (Salah);
3. Paying Charity (Zakah);
4. Fasting the (lunar) month of Ramadan (Sawm);
5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)
These five pillars are a cornerstone of a Muslim’s life.

THE MERCY OF GOD
(Allah [Al'lah] in Arabic)

“Limitless is your Lord in His mercy…” [Qur’an 6:147]
God Almighty is full of love and kindness to His creation. All blessings and goodness in this world and the next are clear proofs of His Mercy. Indeed, Islam teaches that God is more merciful toward us than our own mothers. How can it be otherwise, when some of God’s names and attributes include:
The Acceptor of Repentance;
The Compassionate;
The Loving;
The Forbearing One;
The Most Gracious;
The Most Merciful;
The Source of Goodness;
The Most Generous;
The Bestower.

SELECTED SAYINGS OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD

Sayings of prophet Muhammad, called "Hadeeth/Hadith," is the second source of Islamic legislation. Hadeeth was narrated and conveyed from one source to another, and as a result a whole field of research unmatched in any other religion/faith called "The Science of Men" was created. It concerns itself with studying the authenticity of narrators of Hadeeth, how honest he/she was? How credible he/she was when he was alive, and was he/she accepted in his community.

UNDERSTANDING SHARIAH

The general definition of Sharia as understood by most American Muslims is as follows: Sharia represents how practicing Muslims can best lead their daily lives in accordance with God’s divine guidance. It may be generally defined as the Islamic law revealed by God to the Prophet Muhammad. That divine law was then interpreted by Muslim scholars over the centuries. Among the primary aims of the Sharia are the achievement of justice, fairness and mercy. Source: learningforjustice.org
Please read here what does Shariah mean? And what is it for Muslims?

Islam lay down the basic human rights for all human beings whether he or she is a Muslim or not, and whether he or she is belongs to the same country or place or any other criterion other than being a human being. Whichever the case, he or she has these basic human rights because Islam makes no difference between human beings in terms of human rights. These rights should be recognized by every Muslim. In fact it will be the duty of every Muslim and human being to fulfill these obligations.
Quran says:
“Verily, the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you” [Quran 49: 13]

PROPHETHOOD IN ISLAM
Why Muslims Respect and Revere All Prophets

God (Allah in Arabic,) the Creator of the universe and everything in it, created humans for a noble purpose: to worship Him alone and lead a virtuous life based on His teachings and guidance. However, one cannot fulfill this purpose without receiving clear guidelines from Allah. Allah, the Most Merciful and Just, did not leave us to wander the Earth aimlessly. In order to inform us of our purpose, Allah appointed certain individuals to communicate and demonstrate His message to all of mankind. These individuals are known as Prophets, which include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad – may peace be upon them all.

Hajj & Eidul Adh-ha

The Quran is the final revelation from God to humanity. Although the Quran, (revealed over fourteen centuries ago), is not primarily a book of science, it does contain scientific glimpses and facts that have been scientifically discovered only recently through the advancement of technological equipment. Moreover, it does not promote anti-scientific research. Indeed, studying and understanding the nature of creation enables people to further appreciate their Creator and the extent of his Sovreignty.

SCIENCE IN ISLAM: MUSLIM HERITAGE

"We (God) shall show them Our signs in the Universe and within themselves, until it becomes clear to them that this is the Truth." [Quran 41:53]
The Quran, the book of Islam, is the final book of revelation from God to humanity and the last in the line of revelations given to the Prophets. Islam encourages reflection and scientific research because understanding the nature of creation enables people to further appreciate their Creator and the extent of His power and wisdom.
The Quran was revealed at a time when Science was primitive; there were no telescopes, microscopes or anything close to today's technology. People believed that the sun orbited the earth and the sky was held up by pillars at the corners of a flat earth. Against this backdrop the Quran was revealed, containing many scientific facts on topics ranging from astronomy to biology, geology to zoology.

The Burqa & Niqab — Uncovering the Facts

The burqa and niqab have become a topic of much controversy and heated debate. A number of countries have banned the wearing of these religious garments, while others have considered banning or limiting their use.
Many arguments have been made against the wearing of the burqa and niqab, claiming they are anti-social, backward, oppressive, and not part of Islam. This pamphlet discusses the burqa and niqab from an Islamic viewpoint and addresses the many concerns and allegations made against the wearing of these garments.

Why Islam is the truth?

Islam is the truth because of the unique and verifiable claim of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that he received divine revelation from the angel Gabriel, a claim supported by his consistent, truthful character and life of hardship without any motive to lie. The Quran challenges skeptics to produce anything like its chapters or find contradictions within it—challenges unmet for over a thousand years—pointing to its divine origin. Other explanations, such as delusion or deception, do not align with his coherent message or the Quran’s content. Therefore, the Quran’s unmatched linguistic miracle and Prophet Muhammad’s integrity affirm that Islam is the true faith.