Themes covered in this section are:
Introduction
Meaning of "Islam"
Muslims and their beliefs?
Islamic Leadership - Role of Mufti, Imam & the Mosque
Sunni & Shi’a Muslims
Muslim dietary requirements

Islam is one of the most misunderstood religions of the world. Much of what the general public knows about Islam is based on media reports on television, radio and in the newspapers.

These reports are often misleading and promote negative stereotypes and misconceptions usually associated with political issues rather than Islam’s true teachings. The faith of Islam shares a very close history with Christianity and Judaism. Islam promotes the same values of modern society - equality, freedom, justice, civil rights, peace and harmony.

Within a short period of its history, Islam spread rapidly to almost a third of the world in the eighth century establishing a modern and culturally advanced civilisation.

The early Muslims established the foundations of the modern arts, sciences and technological knowledge.

Historians acknowledge the contributions of early Muslims to the establishment of modern society. However, the Islamic civilisation saw a period of decline from the beginning of the 19th century.

Today, many of the countries of the Islamic world are gripped in political and social strife and their citizens face injustice and suffering, however, the state of affairs in these countries cannot be blamed on Islam.

There are progressive and modern Islamic societies in the world. The presence of diverse Muslim communities in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK and others provides a stimulus for international communication and exchange of ideas.

The Australian people need not fear Islam as it is not a new and foreign ideology. Islam has an inherent beauty that can be appreciated as was done by the early communities of Christians and Jews when multifaith communities thrived in peace and harmony.

Meaning of "Islam"

The Arabic word ‘Islam’ simply means ‘submission’ and is derived from a word meaning ‘peace’.

In a religious context it means complete submission to the will of God. Sometimes Islam is referred to as Mohammedanism.

This is a misnomer because it suggests that Muslims worship Muhammad (peace be upon him (pbuh))* rather than God. ‘Allah’ is the Arabic name for God, which is also used by Arab Christians and Muslims alike.

Islam means submission to God in every aspect of life including faith, family, peace, love and work.

* Muslims are required to recite blessings whenever the name of the Prophet is mentioned or written.

Muslims and their beliefs

Followers of Islam are called Muslims. Over 1.3 billion people from many races, nationalities and cultures across the globe are united by the common Islamic faith.

Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world with 220 million people who profess the faith of Islam.

About 180 million live in the Arab world; there are also large populations in Africa and Central Asia and Malaysia, while significant numbers are to be found in China, Europe (approx. 16 million) and the Americas (approx 10 million). Australia has almost 300,000 Muslims living across the country from Christmas Island to Tasmania.

Not all Arabs are Muslims (many are Christians) and not all Muslims are Arabs (most Muslims are non-Arabs).

Muslims believe in One, Omnipotent, Compassionate, Beneficent and Indivisible God (Allah). Muslims believe in the Angels created by God; in the Prophets through whom His revelations were sent to humankind; in the Day of Judgement when existence as we know it will end; in the hereafter and in the notion of humankind’s fate or destiny.

Muslims are guided by the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the sayings or traditions of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Islam is essentially about doing what is good for your fellow human beings, regardless of their faith or race.

Islam is about love and service to Allah and His creations. It is incumbent on all Muslims to seek knowledge and improve their own condition.

Muslims always have religion uppermost in their minds and make no division between secular and sacred. They follow their religion both spiritually and in practice.

The Holy Qur’an is a comprehensive guidebook on the basic mechanisms for a healthy and harmonious society.

It stipulates the hows and whys of living, including codes of conduct, morality, nutrition, modes of dress, marriage and relationships, business and finance, crime and punishment, laws and government and so on.

After the death of the Prophet (pbuh) in 632 CE, the Muslim community elected a successor or Caliph to the Prophet (pbuh) to act as the religious and political leader of the Muslims in the world.

This was based on his qualifications as a leader and most importantly on his piety.

The Caliph’s primary role is to oversee the correct and efficient running of the Muslim community’s affairs.

To maintain order and update laws and address social and political issues. Since the fall of the Ottoman Islamic State in 1924 there has been no Caliphate.

In the absence of the Caliph, the closest that Muslims get to an authoritative leader is the Mufti or Grand Mufti (usually of a country) who is appointed, in most cases, by the government of the day.

The Mufti works closely with government authorities in advising on matters relevant to Islam.

In Australia, there is an honorary Mufti appointed by the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) which is the national umbrella body of the Muslim communities of Australia.

The Mufti provides religious advice to the community and mediates in disputes, giving rulings on matters of religious interpretation.

The Mosque, referred to as the "house of God," plays a pivotal role in the lives of all Muslims and to which they flock five times daily, if they can, to worship God and to provide a focal point for the local community.

It is regarded as a sacred and holy place, providing peace and tranquillity to the worshippers.

The leader of a Mosque is known as the "Imam" who is usually chosen by the congregation and the community leaders to conduct formal services and to provide religious, social and welfare guidance to the congregation.

There is no formal priesthood in Islam and in the absence of an Imam, religious services can be conducted by any knowledgeable person from amongst the congregation.

Sunni & Shi’a Muslims

After the death of the Prophet (pbuh) disagreement occurred among the companions on who should be elected as the Caliph and subsequently a split or schism (Shi’a) occurred between two main factions: the Shi’ites and the Sunnis.

In the Shi’ite sect of Islam the popular consensus is that the successor should be a direct descendant of the Prophet (pbuh). However, in the majority Sunni branch of Islam the successor is the one most suitable based on his piety.

This does not mean that Shi’ites and Sunnites practice a different form of Islam. On the contrary, there is only one Islam.

The Sunnis and Shi’ites make up 90% of the world Muslim population with other sects the remaining 10%.

Muslim dietary requirements

Although much simpler than the dietary law followed by Jews and the early Christians, the code which Muslims observe forbids the consumption of certain animals (including pigs, crocodiles, spiders, frogs, dogs, cats and so on).

There are a few animals permissible to be consumed such as sheep, cattle, poultry, camel, goat and seafood.

Muslims are commanded to consume healthy and wholesome food and meats of animals on which the name of God has been taken (so that life is not taken in vain).

Muslims therefore consume what is commonly referred to as Halal. Muslims cannot eat carrion but may eat that which is forbidden in extreme cases of a life threatening nature such as starvation.

The Prophet taught that ‘your body has rights over you’, and therefore the consumption of wholesome food and the leading of a healthy lifestyle are seen as religious obligations.

Therefore, this does not just mean approved foods but one should avoid any toxins and the consumption of harmful products including drugs and alcohol.

In this way Muslims avoid foods that may be harmful, disease carrying or detrimental to the overall physical, mental and spiritual health of the individual.

The Prophet said ‘Ask God for certainty (of faith) and well-being; for after certainty, no one is given any gift better than health!" (Tirmidhi).