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Assalam Aleykum... My story starts when i was born into a Catholic-Agnostic family in Venezuela (also know "Little Venezia"). Even though I was baptized, i never practice the catholicism but i was forced to go church and learn about Catholicism. at 13 years old was agnostic and 17 years old, i study all religions (Judaism, Buddhism, hinduism, shinto, Orthodox Christianity, Coptic Christianity) and the Islam was the last religion on study. The history of Islam was something that impressed me at that time and so much that I had hidden that issues like Islam are not very well seen in Venezuela. It was when I read about the Battle of Karbala that it surprised me and served as inspiration for a series of events such as my political activism and the university. Reading a lot about Islam, I learn of many branches in which the "Shias" struck me and investigate a little more but with difficulty since the capital of my country the only mosque and information center on Islam is Wahabi. It was at the age of 18 that I decided to convert to Shia Islam and to this day I try to adapt according to Islamic teachings. That my family, a little conservative, assimilate was not easy: my mother always told me to return to Catholicism until I finally accept my conversion to Islam. Well, that's my short story, now I'm learning more about Islam Shia on my own as I may be the only Shia in my city.

I left that lifestyle and never looked back, Alhamd'Allah. It's such an illusion and a distraction from real issues. Never forget your roots and try to establish a home in your native country.

The power of the dua: There is an off-leash dog park right next to my daughter's gymnastics school. While my daughter was in class, I noticed an older man on the phone, frustrated. His car key had broken in the lock and his dog was locked in the car. He was telling a locksmith on the phone that he'd tried several other locksmiths and the police department, and nobody was willing or able to help him. He said he had been on the phone for two hours. Unfortunately, that locksmith couldn't help him either. Feeling empathy for his situation, I whispered a quick dua that his problem is resolved soon. He sat on the bench, head in hands, for a moment. Then suddenly he raised his head, opened his wallet, and took out a triple-A membership card. He had forgotten that he had it. He called them, and before a half hour had passed, they had sent a locksmith to open the car and arranged for man and dog to have a ride home.

One of my sons complained about the shower water being cold. I said, "It's not too cold -- there is a little boy in Afghanistan taking a bath in a cold river, because he has no shower." Sometimes when I think of it, I wish that I hadn't said that. However, children need to learn to be grateful for everything. Things could always be worse. Alhamdulillah for the blessings Allah has bestowed on us. ♥ May your days be sunny, your nights restful, and your heart satisfied with the blessings that Allah has given you. Think Positive. ♥

Original publication: A Passing of Time, blog Bismehe Ta3ala, Assalam Alikum. One of the many reasons why I love living among the Shias in the Dahiya is some sisters hold majalis at their homes and invite neighbors, friends, and family. Majalis, is a gathering where we listen to a recitor who describes the events that unfolded of the martyrdom of the Ahulbayt. The third narration of the martyrdom of Sayyida Fatymah is taking place now and this specific majalis are entitled "Fatamiyya." Great reverence is given to Sayyida Fatymah. We learn from her how to be the devoted mother, wife and daughter. She perfected how to worship God. She also perfected in haya (modesty/shyness) and 3iffa (chastity). Western culture promotes individualism with attitudes of "mind your own business" and "to each his own." Yet, Prophet Mohammad teaches us كلكم راع وكلكم مسئول عن رعيته “Every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock." Time and time again when hijab is brought up you can see so many camps for or against hijab. Even those who do observe hijab, it is not followed by what Allah wants but according to their liking or latest fashion accessory. When Muslim sisters and brothers bring up the topic they are encouraging sisters to complete their hijab. It is not a matter of self righteousness or hypocrisy to advise the sister. Of course the person advising should first know the rules of observing hijab and secondly they themselves are wearing it correctly. Imam Ali said,"Chastity is the zakaat of beauty and grace." (Ghuraral Hekam) The labels "haram" or "moral" police are thrown around too. I can understand why these words would be used for individuals who are belligerent or who make it out to embarrass you, which is not the way we approach anyone about any matter. Both ways are wrong and incorrect! Always approach with kindness, warmth, and gentleness and NEVER in front of a crowd. Finally, I just want to address that we should never look at any sin lightly. Many of the sins we might fall into we see it disparagingly. We should always work on improving ourselves in obeying Allah swt. Don't look at any sin lightly and brush it off as it was nothing. One of those sins is when sisters beautify themselves in front of non mahrams. Yes, God loves beauty and beauty is not a sin, but when a sister enhances her looks by makeup, racy clothing, finger nail polish in PUBLIC (key word, in front of strange men) all this is haram and you are sinning. In closing, a du3a from our beloved Imam al Mahdi. O Allah!· Award dignity and peace of mind to old people,· Confer repentance and turning away from sin to our young people,· Bestow modesty and chastity to our women. وَعَلَىٰ مَشَايِخِنَا بِٱلْوَقَارِ وَٱلسَّكِينَةِ وَعَلَىٰ ٱلشَّبَابِ بِٱلإِنَابَةِ وَٱلتَّوْبَةِ وَعَلَىٰ ٱلنِّسَاءِ بِٱلْحَيَاءِ وَٱلْعِفَّةِ 5 Comments Sumayyeh 1,696 Posted Wednesday at 12:49 AM Thank u Sister for sharing that beautiful hadith: "Chastity is the zakat of beauty and grace." Imam Ali (a)---so succinct and powerful <3 1 person likes this Chaotic Muslem 4,683 Posted Wednesday at 7:17 AM It will be celebrated again once it is found that Haya is a beneficial evolutionary trait -.- Syed Zain Shah 14 Posted Wednesday at 4:34 PM Mashallah, Beautiful. It is very difficult to fight with your own. Jaffery15 0 Posted 22 hours ago (edited) I don't how could a normal person get attracted or turned on to a woman without hijab its just hair . Your still a Muslim regardless. Edited 21 hours ago by Jaffery15 Caliguy 4 Posted 21 hours ago its not just the head scarf, but the entire body should be conceal under loose garment. Otherwise, don't deceive yourself or god. Head scarf is worthless when people can see the shape of your private parts!

Bismillah May Allah swt bless the leader by the right of ahlul beit as and give us basira.

"Anything you do out of love, this obedience is different than that of what you do out of fear or organizational instruction. You obey because you love, and you seek opportunities to do something..." -Sheikh Mohammad Ali Shomali (picture attached: Beloved Shrine of Amiral Momineen, the pinnacle of Muhhabah (love).

Currently playing the new Zelda game, so far so good.

Living in the West feels like a sin. Living in the West feels like a strain. Living in the West feels like a must. Living in the West feels like a force. Living in the West feels like a battlefield. Living in the West feels like a struggle. Living in the West feels like a bath of tears. Living in the West feels like a test. Living in the West feels like a lie. Living in the West feels like a cry. And they ask, we want to live the way you did. By Allah, repeat my words for the ideal answer.

@Mansur Bakhtiari Wow, you are like me. A student with some foresight into my future generation. I live in the US, and I have the same problems as you. I also wish to move to a country with more morals, so that my kids don't have to go through the same things I did and get assimilated into a western culture. I don't want the culture of my parents to disappear in their grandchildren, as they already are in their children (my siblings).I also wish to maybe get a minor in politics and go to study in Hawza in the future after I secure some savings. I would suggest you go to Pakistan, since I have family there, but you might not know Urdu, and there are Shia targeted killings in some places (thanks to Nawaz). There are probably other better places to go, but I'm not an expert on them. Sorry, I wish for the best.

MANY faults For example, Western schools have both genders doing gym together, dancing together is also part of thwhat curriculum I am in the west, how in a gym class do I keep my head down the whole time? What about dancing together? How do I explain I am not allowed when there areally Muslims doing the same thing? I would prefer to live in a non Muslim country that values modesty SOMEWHAT then stay in the west.

Let's see what some jurists views on hijab (both women and men) are: The issue of hijab is varied amongst the Jurists.

We also get e-males these days. Add them to the list!

At times we may be enduring a difficult test but we should never lose hope and know that (s.w.t) will do what is best. Those tests although may be tough, can be used to accumulate more blessings by remaining positive.

People who think negative thoughts all the time will notice all the negative things that happen to them. It's all in your perspective. Nobody's life is perfect. I'm sure that many others are doing much worse than we are. We have a roof over our head and Internet connection. Begin to notice what you have instead of what you don't have. Appreciate everything. Always.

There is a chapter about Prophet Ibrahim and his righteous sons, may peace be upon them, in the book Hayat al-Qulub. Prophet Ibrahim AS was the friend of Allah and when he cursed some people Allah honored his request, however Allah asked him not to curse His creatures. The 11th Imam AS mentioned a hadith by Prophet Muhammad SA in which Allah SWT told Prophet Ibrahim AS: ‘O Ibrahim, Restrain your malediction from my servants. Indeed I am Forgiving, Merciful and Honorable. The sins of My creatures do not harm Me just as their worship does not benefit Me. I do not train and educate them by subjecting them to My wrath immediately. So refrain from cursing My servants. Indeed you are appointed to warn My servants about My chastisement...' From the 6th Imam AS: 'The Almighty revealed to Ibrahim: O Ibrahim! Your prayers have been answered but do not curse My servants. If I had wished I would not have created them in the first place. My creatures are of three types. The first one worships Me and does not associate anyone or anything with Me. I reward these people. The second type one those who worship others by they are not beyond My control. The third kind are also polytheists but carry believers in their loins, and in future they shall beget a group who would worship Me.' An Account of Ibrahim and his righteous sons Get PDF https://www.al-islam.org/hayat-al-qulub-vol-1-allamah-muhammad-baqir-al-majlisi/account-ibrahim-and-his-righteous-sons

Interestingly some of the articles are written by western academics who try and portray it as the science establishment managing to bypass the religious establishment and teach evolution. Nothing could be further from the truth. Shia Islam has a genuine desire to harmonise science and religion and doesn't differentiate between the two. Evolution is taught because it is the best model they have for this world and is therefore not discounted. In my opinion evolution of man is not taught because it causes emotions to run high and it might cause evolution teaching to be derailed. In order to discuss the evolution of man we need to first understand what man is and as yet we haven't an answer I am trying to track down my book written by well known establishment figures who supported evolution. Once I find it I will post the author and title Its an amazing read and refreshes the soul

Congrats to active members!

Which culture and concept is that?

ALHAMDULILLAH for all His uncountable blessings and favours on us. On a moral ground, it is advisable to look at those below us in terms of provisions and blessings so as to create a sense of gratitude in us.

Good question, brother. Humans are born with their own features (examples: heart, eyes, lungs...), just like animals. Shukr (Praise) be to Allah for having these systems complete, for those He knew were the deserving ones. We call these features: natural features. When something (examples: fluid, artificial organs...) is added to the body and changes the course of the system, sent by humans, we call this artificial or man-made. Now what makes a human, human? I see the knowledge as a key hub for being a human. Why? Because we are the only ones among the creations to have this extraordinary feature. Does the soul make us different from anything else? In an outer perspective, yes. We almost destroyed the world with our capabilities and the soul plays a role in Akhlaaq (behaviour), in a negative way. Could people change their status as "human" when using mechanical features? Inner side, yes, outer side, in-between. Because the inner side cannot be changed unless opened. Remember, when opening the body there could be serious harm and damage done to internal organs, as these developed during the fetus stage. Each organ has a task, Glory be to Allah! When the task gets took over by an artificial organ, the body needs to get used to the new organ. So the status gets lower, because otherwise we could classify you as reborn, because of an organ. When someone is blind, he remains blind. If someone is deaf, he remains deaf. Exceptions are made, such as advanced technology to return these features to people. If people, deaf or blind in their birth, were healed, you could see that their status as human has risen. If people, deaf or blind somewhere in their life, were healed, you could see that his status as human has returned. *Note, I define the "status of human" as a status that tells if people have all the organs or capabilities that a "full" human must have. If not, the status decreases, because of (example: blindness, deaf). For Indeed Allah made us equal. Jazak Allah Khair.

^ well, we Catholics have hope of the promise salvation through Our Lord Jesus if we die in the good fellowship of the Church. So it's rather assumed that promise will be fulfilled. However, you are correct...the Catholic Church ,unlike some sects of Protestants, does not hold with a person being saved forever, if they abandon a righteous path. Also doesn't hold that salvation is only for Catholics or other Christians. Only God knows who is going to heaven.

Could the outcome be the death penalty? Please pray for this sheikh because in 6 days his trial proceed What do you think the bahraini regime will judge?

The Quran speaks of a community that violated the Sabbath. That community comprised of three types of people: (1) the violators, (2) those who spoke out against the violation, (3) those who wanted to leave the violators alone. The problem with the "I don't believe in gay marriage but I support it politically" line of argumentation is that it assumes our law against gay marriage is just some ritual or legal technicality, when the Quran and hadith considered it deeply immoral. Sunnis have some excuse here, because there is much less legal precedent against homosexuality in Sunni tradition than there is in Shii tradition. But the Ahl al-Bayt spoke in very clear terms and I simply can't put that aside because "we need allies". Our ally is Allah, with whom anything is overpowered and without whom nothing can take place. If an alliance with the gay lobby means that we have to promote gender fluidity and gay marriage to third graders (this is in my province's official education system), or that I have to be muzzled and start a media circus because I don't want to use gender-neutral pronouns like "xe" instead of he or she (like in many universities now), then it's an alliance I can do without. I simply cannot imagine Lady Fatima (as) wearing a pink genital hat, or an American flag hijab, or rally against nuclear families, or taking part in so much of what's going on. She would call it what it is, social decadence. There are proven negative affects on children that grow up in a fatherless home or a motherless home - they are more likely to be affected by poverty, crime, academic failure, unstable relationships, and mental health issues. Not to mention the sale of body parts of aborted embryos. It is deeply immoral to facilitate these things. The Ahl al-Bayt refrained from supporting Umayyads and Abbasids, the former was ardently against them, and the latter was sneakily against them; much like the Republicans and Democrats today - I'll stick with the Imam. There are areas of overlap that we can work together on, and other religious groups that we can work with, but we have to draw the line on what is wrong by consensus.

I would rather live in the West than in any of those gulf nations or Turkey and of course, needless to say, Israel.

Than Iran is the best to move to.

Are you ready for your exams? You know your career depends on it, right?

The post was not for disproving evolution. For disproving it, my only question would be about LUCA. This post is for mentioning the wrong use of science & technology. Making soldiers by interbreeding humans & apes! DU, Aadmi ko bhi muyassar nahi insaan hona! (Man is unable to become human or behave like human)

The only reason why only the 5 were under the cloak was because they were the only ones alive to be in it. The other 9 would also be under the cloak if they were alive simply because they are confirmed to be part of the ahlulbayt aswell. The Holy Prophet said:"My vicegerent is ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib; after him are Hasan, and Husain and after them are nine Imams, who are the successive descendants of Husain." Na'thal asked the Holy Prophet the names of those Imams. The Holy Prophet said: "After Husain, his son, ‘Ali, will be the Imam; after him his son, Muhammad; after him his son, Ja'far; after him his son Musa; after him his son, ‘Ali; after him his son, Muhammad; after him his son, Hasan; after him his son, Muhammad Mahdi will be the last Imam. There will be twelve Imams." The Prophet refers to all of them as the 12 imams, in which they will be the divine leaders succeeding one another.

That's because only those 5 of the ahlulbayt were alive during that time, hence why only 5 were under the cloak. The verse refers to the ones who were under the cloak (who were alive at that time) and the ones who weren't born yet. As the hadiths state, the 12 imams are part of the ahlulbayt, and as the Quran states, the ahlulbayt are infallible.

Don't get me started on "control freaks". They-iz either busy-body evilgelicals or liberal. Big Mother Gov't. But don't get me started on Antarctic Ice Sheets 'melting'.

I have a lot of thoughts on this article and the phenomenon it discusses. Let's start with a few examples from the past couple years. We saw Hamza Yusuf get snubbed by some of the most popular Western Muslim leaders for his criticism of Black Lives Matter, an LGBT organization that essentializes race, promotes non-nuclear family structures, and has a materialist structuralist view on suffering. We saw CAIR put Islamophobia and homophobia in the same boat. We saw Tariq Ramadan leave the biggest Muslim convention in the West because they refused to condemn drone strikes, wiretapping, domestic spying, and autocracies. We saw Yasir Qadhi, Mehdi Hasan, and Linda Sarsour approving the legalization of gay marriage in America. We saw Linda Sarsour lead the biggest feminist march in the world, where women wore genital hats, promoted rights for transsexuals, pro-abortion activists, being "nasty women", and wrapped their scarves in American flags. Even Muslim intellectuals like Seyyed Hossein Nasr are promoting a Schuon-esque perennialism that marginalizes Muhammadan law and ethics. There comes a point where this is no longer Muslim solidarity with the safety other groups, but other groups hijacking and infiltrating our religion. Not only is this spiritually dangerous, but it is impractical, and I will explain why. It is clear that most Muslim youth identify with leftist politics, since it is multicultural and inclusive. Unfortunately, that comes with baggage: secularism, individualism, naturalism and religious skepticism, identity politics, LGBT rights, hookup culture and the normalization of sex, third wave feminism, body positivism, political correctness, and in general pro-revolutionary sentiments in almost every situation where even mild grievances exist. Balancing this with the Islamic tradition, which can be opposite on most of these issues, is particularly troublesome. The hipster Muslima with a rainbow scarf and a Guevara shirt marching at a Sl*tWalk is becoming increasingly more normal in Western Muslim communities. The left/right spectrum is a construct - a useful one, but a construct nonetheless - and social trends that affect one side of the spectrum are likely to be common in other parts of the spectrum as well. An interesting phenomenon nowadays, which manifested in the election of Trump, Brexit, and nationalism in Europe, is the alt-right. The alt-right is neo-masculine, nationalistic, populist, and reactionary. While it is on the right of the spectrum, it is unlike the old conservatives - it is liberal on the use of drugs and contraception, it is skeptical of religion (they vary from very atheist to very Christian), and it is sexually promiscuous. So on most social issues, besides immigration, the new millennial conservatives are pretty "liberal" in the 90s / early 2000s sense of the word. What we're seeing today is nationwide degeneracy and nastiness, and an open rebellion against parents, tradition, and general nobility and honour. Both the right and the left are in their post-truth echochambers, where their Facebook feeds are filled with confirmation bias. The root of the postmodern left is not Marx, but Foucault. He inspired a system that allowed the middle-class intelligentsia to develop discourses for marginalized peoples (people of colour, the poor, the disabled, women, children, and homosexuals). They covered up the obscenities of contemporary America (violence and racism) by promoting a jargon that masks the failure of Western civilization to overcome racism. By the 1980s, these intellectuals formed their own "marginalized" narratives of history, each hardly truer than the other. Together they made a fabric of discourses, each being either dominant (Eurocentric, male-centric), or marginal. At first sight, it appears compassinate to give a voice to marginalized people, but this 1980s postmodernist system offers no ultimate solutions or salvation for struggling people the way Marxism or Christianity did. There was no way out of the suffering - only a means to "resist" established powers and survive on the margin. What Foucault, and in extension, BLM, LGBT, democratic socialists, and new Muslim activists are offering is a gospel of intellectual disobedience in the name of the downtrodden. But, they behave within the system and not outside of it. Each group entrenches itself in tolerance, then proceed to deconstruct the cultural artifacts of other groups (books, scholarly articles, films). They disintegrate much but construct nothing. Both dominant and marginal discourses ultimately put their faith in the market, and fall back onto the Anglosaxon individualist naturalist yeoman sentiment. They are experts in jargon, but not actual dissent - just an allergy to religion, Eurocentrism, white male chauvinism, and absolutism. Both camps pride themselves on science and technology, and are averse to traditionalism and religion. They both believe that the world is driven by chance and power. Foucault offered educated bourgeois the opportunity to side with and speak for the working class, and become the new star of a neoliberal Left. They have no agenda or program, only "dissent" against the dominant view. Take feminists for example: many feminists are intersectional and co-opt elements of Marxism, but ultimately, they are not awaiting some proletarian revolution - they are more bent on co-opting the current socio-political and economic system to give themselves a bigger piece of the pie. In the end, leftist identity politics is what created the alt-right, because it got the millennial right to think in terms of whiteness. Their reaction is what created Trump, Brexit, and the rise of nationalism in Europe. Rather than throwing the baby out with the bathwater, Muslims need to tread lightly and understand these issues fully.

Who does it reflect poorly for though? The problem with western countries, is that they often think that the world means the west. The oppressed people of the world seem to agree with the statement and they understand what it means. It's more important that it reflects positively for them than for privileged countries and people that should have the sense to understand what it means.

Yes but isn't the sura clear it says on the day of judgement there will be three parties Two will go to heaven One will go to hell End of judgement So i figured that once the judgement happens this will be the final say and no change in Allah words happen because Allah does not change his judgement Once God decides that the person enters heaven------the person will enter heaven Once God decides that the person enters hell-----the person will enter hell After that if the judgement changes then so does the word of God here in the quran.......if that were the case then a person who enters heaven can be taken out of heaven and will enter hell.......in this case there is no fixed decision and this is does not make sense.....

He also claimed he was no fan of Hezbollah once, I don't really understand if he thought the Shias in South Lebanon should've just submitted to Zionist aggression and agreed to be humiliated. You can't really condemn Israeli actions and then oppose groups that resist them too.

A True Sunni, is a sunni becoz he asked about 12 imams as to how they are chosen. A shia does not ask such question. He knows it.

every idiot knows the earth is flat, supported on the backs of 4 elephants, which in turn stand on the back of a giant turtle which floats through space.

Sorry, this may be a silly question but just to ensure I understand your post correctly... Does this mean that 12ers don't believe that Imam al-Sadiq appointed Ismail first and that this report is fabricated? Or am I misunderstanding you?

Well, at the beginning it (Islam) was, (for at least three years) And yes, you are right; none of necessary components of faith in Islam or Shia is esoteric; that's why I stressed knowing the names of future Imams was not a necessary component of faith, it was some extra knowledge some people had.

Perhaps make it impersonal so we don't hurt people's feelings. Air your grievances anonymously, be discreet and make us wonder who you're talking about. (You might not have a specific person in mind) For example... * An incoherent ramble of a post without adequate paragraphs, punctuation, and spellings really riles me. * I'm glad there aren't many posters currently on SC who have made a career out of posting gifs. I know my view is unpopular but I'm defo not a fan of gifs. * A broken record: people who will post variations on the same topic/subject n number of times to say and hear the same things they have said and heard a thousand times and one. * People trying hard to prove that father's or guardian's permission is not required to contract mutah with a virgin. Become a dad of a virgin girl of marriageable age, then come back and tell us how you feel about it. * Know-it-all teenagers. Been there done that. Inshallah they will mature. To be continued...

Shia Islam is most succesful because guidance is a prerequisite.

You are not forced to deal with me or people like me.You can either leave or take part in other discussions dear brother. My beloved is not supposed to mean smthg to you...you have your opinion and I have mine.Respect is what matters.

Stop it then,nobody is forcing you.

I love my leader Sayyed Ali Hussaini Khamenei. May Allah bless and protect him and keep him strong till Imam Zaman (a.j) appears

This should be posted in as many social web sites as possible so a greater number of population, especially the confused and misinformed will benefit

Jebreil brother its real. Take a look http://english.khamenei.ir//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2001

Mashallah I only wish I could have clicked "love this" rather than "like this." Thank you for sharing!

In the name of Allah, the Beneficient, the Merciful. Say: He, Allah, is One. Allah is He on Whom all depend. He begets not, nor is He begotten. And none is like Him. Holy Qur'an: Surah 112 - Al Ikhlaas (Sincerity) Verses 1-4 Islam is a monotheistic religion. Islam is a complete way of life, revealed to all people by the messengers of God. Muslims seek guidance from the Holy Qur'an a book revealed to the last messenger of God, the seal of Propethood, Prophet Muhammad (pbuhim); by the Archangel Gabriel from time to time over the period of 23years. The Qur'an contains many stories that are familiar to Christians and Jews. The Qur'an is a book of guidance, the deeper you dwell into it, the more jewels you acquire. It also contains a lot of Scientific knowledge that scientists themselves have only found recently and don't forget, this is a book that was revealed 1400 years ago. The Qur'an has never been altered, it is free from the corruption of man and still in it's pure form. Muslims, Christians and Jews have similar belief in the Messengers chosen by God. Islam teaches us that they were chosen by God to teach humanity and deliver His Divine message. The Qur'an mentions the names of some of them, Adam, Abrahim, Noah, Jesus, Moses, John, Solomon, David, Joseph, Yunus, Saleh, Shuaid, Enoch, Zakariyah, Job, Aaron, Ezra, Zulqurnayn, Ishmael, Yaqub, Luqman, Lut Hud, Elisha, Issiah, Ishaq. The major difference being, is the Belief in Prophet Muhammad (pbuhim). But, truth stands clear from error. Mother Mary, known as Mariam, in Islam, the mother of Prophet Jesus (pbuthem) is the only woman who has a whole chapter in the Qur'an named after her. It's the 19th chapter in the Qur'an named – Mariam. The five pillars of Islam are: 1. To bear witness that there is none worthy of worship save Allah and that Muhammad (pbuhim) is the Messenger of Allah. Shahada (testimony of faith): In Arabic "La ilah ha il Allah, Muhammadan Rasul-Allah". Translation: "(There is) No diety but Allah (and) Muhammad is His Messenger" or "There is no God but Allah" and "Muhammad is His Apostle" Islam is one of the three monotheistic religions to arise in the Middle East; along with the other two - Judaism and Christianity- it stresses the oneness and uniqueness of God. The world 'Allah' is just the Arabic word for God. The second phrase of the Shahada declares that Muhammad is God's messenger to humankind. Muhammad's mission brought the final positing of divine Truth, and thus Muhammad is regarded as the "Seal of the Prophets." - http://www.islam101.com/tauheed/ 2. To observe Prayer (Salat) Performing daily prayers (Salat) is an act of communication between humans and God. Five daily prayers are considered a duty for all Muslims, and on these occasions preparations in ritual purity are required. The prayers are Fajr (early morning before the sun rise), Zuhr (afternoon), Asr (later afternoon), Maghrib (after sunset) and Isha (evening). The prayers must be said while facing in the direction of Mecca. - http://hlms.org/Islam/Salat/prayer.htm 3. To Pay Zakat (Alms giving) The Zakat is a form of giving to those who are less fortunate. It is obligatory upon all Muslims to give 2.5 % of wealth and assets each year (in excess of what is required) to the poor. Giving the Zakat is considered an act of worship because it is a form of offering thanks to God for the means of material well-being one has acquired. - http://www.zpub.com/aaa/zakat-def.html 4. To perform the Pilgrimage to the House of Allah (Hajj) The pilgrimage season begins in the tenth month, the month following Ramadan, and lasts through the middle of twelveth month, Dhu al-Hijja. This fifth pillar requires all Muslims who are physically and financially capable to make Hajj to Mecca once during their lives. The actual rites and prayers take place at the scred Ka'ba in Mecca and at nearby locations. Muslims associate the origin of the Hajj and founding of the Ka'ba with the prophet Abraham. Nearly two million Muslims perform Hajj each year. - http://i-cias.com/e.o/hajj.htm 5. To Observe fasting during the Holy month of Ramadhan Another form of offering thanks to God is fasting. It is duty to all Muslims to fast during the ninth month of Islamic calendar, Ramadan. During this month, Muslims refrain from food, drink during daylight. Excepts are those ill health, pregnant women & travelers. One is to make up lost days of fasting at a later time. The time of fasting is from just before sunrise to just after sunset. The breaking of fast is joyous occasion. Sawm during Ramadan or any time is recognized as physically demanding but spiritually rewarding. - http://www.ramadan.c...page=others.htm The core doctrines of Islam are summed up in the following Verses: O you who believe! believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Book which He has revealed to His Messenger and the Book which He revealed before; and whoever disbelieves in Allah and His angels and His messengers and the last day, he indeed strays off into a remote error. [4:136] But the firm in knowledge among them and the believers believe in what has been revealed to. you and what was revealed before you, and those who keep up prayers and those who give the poor-rate and the believers in Allah and the last day, these it is whom We will give a mighty reward. [4:162] And (as for) the believing men and the believing women, they are guardians of each other; they enjoin good and forbid evil and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, and obey Allah and His Messenger; (as for) these, Allah will show mercy to them; surely Allah is Mighty, Wise. [9:71] It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the East and the West, but righteousness is this that one should believe in Allah and the last day and the angels and the Book and the prophets, and give away wealth out of love for Him to the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and the beggars and for (the emancipation of) the captives, and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate; and the performers of their promise when they make a promise, and the patient in distress and affliction and in time of conflicts-- these are they who are true (to themselves) and these are they who guard (against evil). [2:177] Summing it all up, righteousness is that you believe: 1. in the unity of Allah with all His attributes; 2. in the last day of judgement; 3. in the angels; 4. in the book of Allah; 5. in all the prophets and messengers of Allah; 6. and give away wealth out of love for Allah to the near of kin, and the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and the beggars, and for the liberation of slaves; 7. and keep up the (obligatory) prayers. A link further explaining the roots and branches of religion (Islam): http://al-islam.org/...ntro/rahim.html Islam wasn't a religion sent to the Arabs, or any specific group. Islam was sent to mankind, there is no dictinction given to anyone based on ethnicity, he who gets the most ohnour in the eyes of God, is he who is most righteous: O you men! surely We have created you of a male and a female, and made you tribes and families that you may know each other; surely the most honorable of you with Allah is the one among you most careful (of his duty); surely Allah is Knowing, Aware. [Holy Qur'an: Chapter 49-Verse 13] The Holy Prophet said: "No man is superior to another on account of race or colour, taqwa (wisdom and piety) alone is the distinction." I would like to direct you now to a site, which would probably be of a lot use to many of you and help you understand Islam better, Muslims and Non-Muslims alike: http://www.al-islam.org Muslims are all over the media, doing things in the name of Islam, which unfortunately, further degrades the name of Islam and Muslims in general. For example terrorism. Islam does not teach us to kill innocents, it teaches us to live amongst non-Muslims in peace and to invite them to Islam, with beautiful words and conduct, not with bombs and aggression. The treaty of Sinai: In the year 2A.H. the Prophet of Islam signed a treaty with the Christians of Sinai Land which was written by Imam Ali (the successor of Prophet Muhammad (pbuthem both) after his demise). A part of that treaty reads: "I (Prophet Muhammad) promise that I will not change their priests and monks no do i expel them from their worshipping places. I do not prohibit their pilgrims from their travels, nor do I destroy their Churches. I do not convert any Churches to Mosque's and whichever Muslim does so has violated God's convenant... Muslims should not force them to anything. They must be kind to them and respect them all... Should their Churches require any repair, Muslims should help them as much as they can and they should allow Christians practice their rituals..." We are taught to be Religiously tolerant and to possess excellent moral character. To help the needy and be kind to everyone, because they are either our brother/sister in faith or our brother/sister in creation - Imam Ali (pbuhim). Contrary to popular belief, these are some of the teachings of Islam. Regards, ShiaChat.com Development Team.