The word- you see and hear it every day but you don't know and you don't understand what it's all about.You see Muslims all over the place yet most people don't even know what Islam is.Islam is hardly known,not because there are no Muslims around,but because no body knew what Islam was.You find it so ironic that Islam is so prevalent yet undiscovered by most people.It's so unreal to find something so common yet so unfamiliar to almost everybody.To find something so widespread that it's all over the place and at the same time so unknown to everyone is almost unthinkable.This unusual circumstance surrounding Islam arouses your interest of wanting to know more about this seemingly "Strange" religion. To be a Muslim is a great blessing of Allah.It is indeed his mercy to make us believe in Allah and his prophets(a.S);the final one being the holy prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him). The hallmark of a true Muslim is the magnanimity of heart.
Islam is not complicated,Muslims are.When I say I am Muslim,I should not feel the need to categorize myself as an extremist,moderate or liberal.I either practice my religion or don't, but as long as I believe in one god and the holy prophet(PBUH),I am as much of a Muslim as anyone else. Ideally,I should not feel the need to say out my religious beliefs.But with the way things are going in this country,it is important that every person who recites and believes in the Kalma stands up to those passing fatwas,promoting hatred and intoxicating the minds of the ignorant.
A true Muslim believes that Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth.He remains conscious that Allah knows all the facts even the innermost secrets of hearts.He believes that man can grasp only that part of his knowledge which Allah wills.He spends good,worthy things in the name of Allah.He knows that if he gives alms to the poor secretly,it will be,hopefully enough,atonement for some of his sins.When Allah is mentioned,they feel the fear of him in their hearts.Their faith increases every time they hear and ponder over Quran's verses.They perform prayers regularly.They spend in charity in the path of Allah.
as Quran says:"The believers are only those who,when Allah is mentioned,feel a fear in their hearts and when his verses (this Quran) are recited unto them,they increase their faith; and they put their trust in their lord(alone). a good Muslim is ever eager to seek knowledge.He is clean,brave and pure.He does his duty well.He tries to attain excellence in every field of life.He/she offers prayers punctually five times a day.A true Muslim believes that good deeds endure for rich rewards in the hereafter.It is indeed a great privilege to be a Muslim.
