Definitions:

Allah: The primary Arabic name used in the Quran for the creator. Allah created space and time as well as matter, energy, spirit, soul, mind,
and consciousness. Allah has no body, form, or image of any kind. Allah is One, Unique, and Incomparable. Allah is All-Seeing, All-Hearing,
All-Knowing, All-Aware, and All-Powerful. The Only One worthy of worship is Allah The Most Compassionate, The Most Merciful.

Islam: A state of peaceful surrender/submission to the creator.

Muslim: One who embraces the state of Islam.

Quran (Recitation/Reading): The Quran is the Divine Revelation from Allah to Prophet Muhammed. It was revealed through the
archangel Jibreel (Gabriel) over a twenty-three year period (610-633). The Quran still exists in its original complete form. The Quran is the final
revelation to all people for all time.

Prophet Muhammed (570-633): Was born 570 in Mecca, Arabia. He began to receive the Quranic revelations at age forty while
meditating in a cave during the lunar month of Ramadan. Muhammed ibn-Abdullah was a descendant of Abraham through his son Ishmael.

Jihad: Literally means "to struggle", "to strive". Jihad does not mean "Holy War." The Arabic word for "Holy" is "Quds" and the Arabic word for
"War" is "Harb". The struggle to be a good Muslim is Jihad. Struggle is a part of the life of this world and its meaning is in no way limited to
warfare. Islamic rules of war are very clear: Civilians, women, children, elderly, the ill, and wildlife are never to be targeted. Muslims are to be
non-aggressive, inclining towards peace when peace is sought by enemies. Any one who supports or engages in terrorism is not a Muslim. To
strive for justice, for knowledge, religious truth, and self purification are all considered Jihad.

Taqwa: means "righteousness", "piety", "to guard the self from evil", "to be dutiful", "to be consciously aware of Allah (God Conscious)".  Our
nafs (soul/self) has been inspired with Taqwa by the creator.

Sunnah: meaning "tradition", is the "way", "method", and/or "manner" in which the Prophet Muhammed demonstrated the practice of Islam in
his words and actions. It is the example/pattern left by the final Prophet and Messenger. Allah Almighty tells us in the Quran to obey the Prophet
and to accept him as an example to be followed. The Prophet taught the precise way of Salat, Zakat, as well as domestic and foreign policy, rules
of government, war, economics, experimental sciences, farming, and much more.

"Surely, in the Messenger of Allah you have a beautiful pattern (or example) for him who looks to Allah and the
Last Day and remembers Allah often."(Quran 33:21)

Five Pillars of Islam:

1. Shahadah / الشهادة (Declaration of Faith)

أشهد أن لا إله إلاَّ الله و أشهد أن محمد رسول الله

ashadu an' la ilaha illa-llah, wa ashadu anna muhammadan rasulu-llah

There is no God but Allah, and Muhammed is his Prophet and Messenger.



2. Salat / صلاة‎ (Prayer)

Before sunrise (Fajr / فجر), after true noon (Dhuhr / ظهر), afternoon (Asr / عصر), after sunset (Maghrib / مغرب), and when night fall's (Isha'a /
عشاء) Muslims face the Kabbah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia and prostrate themselves as Allah (swt) has prescribed.



3. Zakaat / زكاة (Charity)

It is obligatory for Muslims to pay 2.5% of their excess earnings every lunar year. Allah (swt) revealed in the Quran:

فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللّهِ وَاللّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمالرِّقَابالسَّبِيلِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ إِنَّمَا ِ عَلَيْهَا وَفِي سَبِيلِ وَابْنِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاء اللّهِ وَفِي   

"Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have
been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah. and for the wayfarer:
(thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom." 9:60



4. Sawm / صوم (Fasting)

During the Holy Month of Ramadan, Muslims must abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual relations if we are physically capable of doing so
during the daylight hours.



5. Hajj / حج (Pilgrimage to Mecca)

Muslims must travel to Mecca at least once in their life time if they are able to do so and can afford it.




Seven Fundamental Beliefs:


1. Belief in Tawheed (Oneness) of Allah
Tawheed is pure Monotheism. Allah (swt) is One. He is incomparable and has nor needs partners.

2. Belief in Akhirah (hereafter / afterlife)
Muslims believe in the unseen worlds both Heavenly and Hellish.

3. Belief in the Yawm id-Deen (Day of Judgement)
Muslims believe that we will be resurrected and stand before Allah (swt) to be held accountable for our intentions and actions. Allah is The Most
Just and The Most Forgiving.

4. Belief in the Mala'ikaah (Angels) of Allah
Angels were created from Noor (light) for the purpose of fulfilling his commands. They do not disobey, Shaytan (Satan) was never an angel.

5. Beliefs in the Kutoob (Books)
Muslims believe in all the Divine Revelations that have been given to Prophets and Messengers from Adam to Muhammed.

6. Belief in the Anbiyyah (Prophets) of Allah
Muslims believe in all the Prophets of Allah from Adam to Muhammed. Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus, and Muhammed
were all Prophets of Allah. Muhammed said "There have been 125 Prophets sent to humankind since the time of Adam." All Messengers are
Prophets not all Prophets are Messengers.

7. Belief in Qadar / Taqdir (pre-ordainment)
Allah the One is the creator of space and time he has full knowledge of, and absolute power over all creation, all places-all times.

More Information Please Contact:

Abdul Haleem
323-872-7264
prisonservices@mauunanddawaah.org

Pooya
323-667-5329
prisonservices@mauunanddawaah.org