The message of Islam

[Dracula]

Hello ,since I never heard a proper exposition of Islam - in the way we are used to hear the christian message - I would like to ask the muslims here to try and give us a notion of what it teaches :

I. Who is Mohammed and why must one believe in him ?

II. What are the muslim virtues and what must people do ?

III. Why is this religion exclusive ?

Please avoid arab terminology and translate in english for to be understood and be as concise as possible .

p.s. I hope I won't regret for creating this thread .

[Richard]

The religion isn't exclusive...

Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam) and Mohammed Ali (formerly Cassius Clay) are two well-known converts. Though Ali is a bit of a joke in that he converted because of his affiliation with Moron Supremecist group 'Nation of Islam' (which incidentally has about as much to do with Islam as the Church of Scientology has to do with science).

[AngryTitusPullo]

I. Who is Mohammed and why must one believe in him ?

The last prophet of God.

II. What are the muslim virtues and what must people do ?

Believe in God.
Believe in he prophets.
Believe in the angels.
Believe in the scriptures.
Believe in the day of judgement.
Believe in fate.

By believing one those above, muslims must:

Acknowledge that there is no god but God.
Perform prayers
Perform fasting during Ramadhan.
Give alms.
Perform pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime (if able).

III. Why is this religion exclusive ?

Huh ? Exclusive to whom ?

[Dracula]

But how can you convince me that I must believe in Mohammad ?

And by exclusive I mean that islam is right and the other religions aren't .

[AngryTitusPullo]

But how can you convince me that I must believe in Mohammad ?

We muslims do not believe in Muhammad. We do believe in God, and Muhammad is just a messenger, the last among many others before him, including Abraham, Moses, Jesus etc.

And by exclusive I mean that islam is right and the other religions aren't .

Aren't you as a Christian will say that Christianity is right while other are false ? A Jew will say Judaism is right while Christian and Islam are deviation of Judaism. It's nothing exclusive at all to Islam.

[Dracula]

I know all this ,but do you think yourself islam is the truth and WHY ?

And what convinces one to believe in muslim message ? If there is one of course .

[Dayman]

I know all this ,but do you think yourself islam is the truth and WHY ?

The reasons why most people believe in a religion: youth indoctrination, or, indoctrination during a weak time in life.

If people were raised without religion, I doubt many people would convert over.

[AngryTitusPullo]

Dracula I know all this ,but do you think yourself islam is the truth and WHY ?

And what convinces one to believe in muslim message ? If there is one of course .

It's all in the Qur'an. Too long or too many to explain. Read it from cover to cover, without help of any (pro or against) interpretation and make up your own mind.

It's all in there.

The reasons why most people believe in a religion: youth indoctrination, or, indoctrination during a weak time in life.

I was born as a muslim, but my current beliefs (in Islam) are subject of my own learning and searching.

If people were raised without religion, I doubt many people would convert over.

Probably, but not always.

[jankren]

Hmm, call me prejudical but when I opened this thread I did not expect such respectful and honest questions from Dracula.

Though Ali is a bit of a joke in that he converted because of his affiliation with Moron Supremecist group 'Nation of Islam'

I thought like Malcolm X Ali has also distanced himself from that organization?

[Dracula]

But do come on .I can give you straight away 10 reasons to believe in Jesus " Love the person beside you and he'll respond you" "Do good and you 'll have good" " Be patient and your soul'll be calm ", " Be silent and you'll have peace" .But I do not wish to turn the islam into christianity thread really .

YOU MUST HAVE SOMETHING THAT HAS TOUCHED YOU . Otherwise this religion is senseless /meaningless .

If people were raised without religion, I doubt many people would convert over.

I was born in a christian family but there wasn't any religoouis education . I just attended church sometimes and believed in god for the atmosphere that was there,not that I was in any form indoctrinated .

[Dayman]

But do come on .I can give you straight away 10 reasons to believe in Jesus " Love the person beside you and he'll respond you" "Do good and you 'll have good" " Be patient and your soul'll be calm ", " Be silent and you'll have peace" .But I do not wish to turn the islam into christianity thread really .

YOU MUST HAVE SOMETHING THAT HAS TOUCHED YOU . Otherwise this religion is senseless /meaningless .

He can give you 10 reasons why, and I can give you ten reasons why you should be an atheist.

I was born as a muslim, but my current beliefs (in Islam) are subject of my own learning and searching.

I don't mean to assume things, but I doubt you'd be a Muslim now if you weren't born one.

[AngryTitusPullo]

I don't mean to assume things, but I doubt you'd be a Muslim now if you weren't born one.

Who knows.. I have friends who are free-thinkers born muslim (I used to be one), I have muslim convert friends from other religion, I have known peopl who were atheist but became muslims and vice versa.

But do come on .I can give you straight away 10 reasons to believe in Jesus " Love the person beside you and he'll respond you" "Do good and you 'll have good" " Be patient and your soul'll be calm ", " Be silent and you'll have peace" .But I do not wish to turn the islam into christianity thread really .

YOU MUST HAVE SOMETHING THAT HAS TOUCHED YOU . Otherwise this religion is senseless /meaningless .

If I actually slap you will you really turn the other cheek ? If I intend to do harm to your wife/girlfriend/mother/father/sister/grandma will you just let me do it, or will you be pragmatic and try to actually stop me ?

[Dracula]

If I actually slap you will you really turn the other cheek ? If I intend to do harm to your wife/girlfriend/mother/father/sister/grandma will you just let me do it, or will you be pragmatic and try to actually stop me ?

I don't think christianity teaches this . Turning the cheek is a metaphore of patience and good temper . It doesn't have to be necessarily a real example .
And to stop a harm is obligatory .

[AngryTitusPullo]

I don't think christianity teaches this .

Isn't this is what Christianity has been using to show the peaceful nature and loving of the religion ?

Turning the cheek is a metaphore of patience and good temper .

Ah. Then it's a word which has no meaning in practicality at all I guess.

It doesn't have to be necessarily a real example .

So, where will you find an example of it ?

And to stop a harm is obligatory .

Like this ?

[22:39] Permission (to fight) is given to those upon whom war is made because they are oppressed, and most surely God is well able to assist them;

Or this ?

[2:190-192] And fight in the cause of God with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely God does not love those who exceed the limits. And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from where they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the reward of the unbelievers. But if they desist, then surely God is Forgiving, Merciful. And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for God, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors.

[Dracula]

OK then .10 reasons to be a cold atheists .You have the word .

[Dayman]

OK then .10 reasons to be a cold atheists .You have the word .

What do you mean by cold? I'm not listing why I'm an atheist, if you really want to know then you can PM me, I'm not going to derail the topic.

[removeduser_487563287433]

Hello ,since I never heard a proper exposition of Islam - in the way we are used to hear the christian message - I would like to ask the muslims here to try and give us a notion of what it teaches :

I. Who is Mohammed and why must one believe in him ?

II. What are the muslim virtues and what must people do ?

III. Why is this religion exclusive ?

Please avoid arab terminology and translate in english for to be understood and be as concise as possible .

p.s. I hope I won't regret for creating this thread .

Mohammed in Islamic belief is the final prophet of God, and received the Qur'an, which is the only uncorrupted message of God.

Muslim 'virtues' and requirements, like in all the Abrahamic religions, are not agreed upon by all its adherants. You are being to simplistic.

Religion exclusive as in one cannot be a muslim and a buddhist? I don't know... really.

[AngryTitusPullo]

Religion exclusive as in one cannot be a muslim and a buddhist? I don't know... really.

Most of the buddhist teaching actually can be found in Islam, especially if one study sufism.

[Dracula]

Isn't this is what Christianity has been using to show the peaceful nature and loving of the religion ?

No the religion does not "show" itself as such or such . It merely has or hasn't a teaching . To "show" it is a secular deed and description .

Ah. Then it's a word which has no meaning in practicality at all I guess.So, where will you find an example of it ?

It gives us a common example which people must take as an image of resemblance by the powers they have to be saint . I mean as much as they can do it or in the extent they are able to do it . Even to remain silent when an evil is spoken against you is turning the cheek .

I guess the quotations are Quaranic ?!

Religion exclusive as in one cannot be a muslim and a buddhist? I don't know... really.

If you are muslim you definitely cannot follow other religions as well .They'll hang you up

[removeduser_487563287433]

If you are muslim you definitely cannot follow other religions as well .They'll hang you up

All of them? Don't generalise.