Islam Frequantly Asked Questions

Q 11: What is the difference between Hadith and Sunnah?

A 11: Hadith is the exact sayings of the Prophet with quote and unquote. The Sunnah of the Prophet includes the Hadith as well as the lifestyle of the Prophet. His deeds and actions are included as well. Anything that he accepted without commenting or talking about is also included in the Sunnah.

Q 12: I heard that there is something called Sirah. Would you kindly tell me what it is?

A 12: Generally speaking, Sirah means the life history of someone. Any time Muslims talk about the Sirah, they mean the Life History of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Muslims are to study the Sirah of the Prophet so that they will be able to imitate him, emulate him, and benefit from his wisdom and his teachings. The early followers of Islam have written a series of books about the Sirah of the Prophet Muhammad so as to be a guide to all the new generation to come.

Q13: I thought that Muslims do believe only in Muhammad as their Prophet. Is it true?

A 13: No! Muslims do believe in all of the Prophets and Messengers that Allah sent to mankind from the days of Adam to the days of the Prophet Muhammad. Their numbers are in the thousands or more. However, Allah mentioned 25 names in the Qur'an. Among them five who were mentioned to the Mighty and the most influential ones. Those are Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.

Muslims do believe in all of them with great respect. Any time any Prophet's name is mentioned, Muslims say peace be upon him (pbuh).

Q 14: Would you kindly tell me how many Prophets you Muslims believe in?

A 14: According to the teaching of Islam, Allah sent so many Prophets in the history of mankind. Qur'an informs us that Allah sent a large number of them. However, to give us a good guidance, and to help us to be able to practice the moral teachings of Islam, Allah gave us the names of (25) Prophets in the Qur'an. Whoever studies their teachings will be able to live in peace and harmony with all people of the world.

Q 15: Since you said that Qur'an mentions (25) Prophets, would you be able to let us know their names?

A 15: Yes! Their names sequentially and historically are the following:

Adam, Idriss, Noah, Hood, Satih, Ibrahim, Lout, Ismait, Lishaq, Yacoob, Yusuf, Shu'aib, Ayub, Zulkifl, Musa, Haroon, Dawood, Sulaiman, Ilyass, Yunus, Zakaria, Yahia, Isa, Muhammad.

Q16: I was surprised to know that you Muslims do believe in Jesus and Mary. I thought you hate them?

A 16: Muslims do believe in Jesus and Mary. We trust them and we respect them. Jesus was on of the Mighty Messengers of Allah. His mother was chosen by Allah from all women of her time. She conceives with Jesus vegetatively.

In the Qur'an there is one chapter (Surah) in the name of Mary herself No other women's name was revealed explicitly in the Qur'an except that of Mary. Jesus is one of the beloved Prophets of Allah, and his mother Mary, is one of the most respected women in the minds of Muslims.

Q 17: I am also surprised to know that Muslims do believe in Moses. I thought Moses was the Prophet of the Jews only.

A 17: Moses was not the Prophet of the Jews. He was the Prophet of Allah to the children of Israel. He was sent to save them from the persecution of Pharaoh of Egypt. However, Moses was a Muslim. He preached the Message of Allah He taught them to believe in Allah the Creator of the Universe. He instructed them to pray, fast and pay Zakat as well.

Muslims do believe in Prophet Moses in as much as they believe in all the other Prophets and Messengers without any discrimination.

Q 18: Is it true that Muhammad is the last Prophet and the last Messenger? If yes, how come?! Don't you think that we need more Prophets today?

A 18: Yes! Muhammad is the last Prophet and the last Messenger of Allah to all mankind. His teachings are meant for Christians, Jews, Bhudists, Pagans, Atheists, Agnostics, and others.

You may need another Prophet if his teachings were distorted or lost. The originality, totality and authenticity of the Qur'an are well documented and proved to be intact. As long as the originality of the Qur'an is preserved by memory, printing, audio, video, CD-ROM, Internet, there is no need for another Prophet. The teachings of Islam are meant for all human beings. This was not true to the previous Prophets who came for a particular tribe, nation, or even for a particular era and area.

If people try to study the Qur'an, they will definitely be guided by Allah The teachings of all the previous Prophets are found in the Qur'an.

Q. 19: In Christianity, we believe that we were born sinful and therefore we have to be baptized. What does Islam say about original sin?

A 19: in Islam, every person is born free of sin. It would inhumane and unjust that God would create us with sins. At the same time. there is no genetic proof that we are born with sin. Nowhere we can find any DNA gene on any chromosome that carries the gene of sin.

Allah is so merciful. He created us as pure as crystal ice. It is only after the age of puberty that one will be accounted for his deeds and actions preceded by intention. At that time, we will be rewarded ten times for any good deeds, and we will be charged once for every bad deed. If we ask forgiveness from Allah, He will forgive us.

Because we are born free of sins, we do not need to be baptized. We are already born as Muslims.

Q 20: Jews have their Sabbath on Saturday. Christians have their holiday on Sunday. Why do Muslims have their holiday on Friday?

A 20: it is a good question. To the Muslims we are informed that Allah decided that Friday should be a holiday for all of us. Allah created Adam on Friday. Adam entered paradise on Friday. He and his wife Eve landed on this planet earth on Friday. He died on Friday.

Friday is a blessing and a sacred day. The doors of Heaven are open of Friday white the doors of Hell are closed. Prayers and supplication (Du 'a') are accepted on Friday. The day of Friday is a day of Peace where all animals, birds and insects say "Peace" on that day.

Moreover, the Day of Judgment is to take place on Friday. Non-Muslims made their own decisions as to Saturday and Sunday. Allah sent Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) informing both the Christians and the Jews that they should take Friday as a holy and a sacred day. It is up to the individuals to do what they want. We do obey Allah . He revealed a Surah in the Qur'an which has the name of Friday. Muslims are to summon and to congregate every Friday noon, and listen to the Khutbah (sermon) from the religious leader (Imam).

Q 21: In Christianity, we have to believe in Jesus as our personal Savior to enter Paradise. What does Islam say about Salvation?

A 21: Salvation in Islam does not depend on someone else to do it for us. We are responsible for our deeds and actions preceded by our good intentions. Therefore, everyone has to work hard with good intention. Our intention as Muslims is to please the Creator, namely Allah.

Whoever believes in Allah (the Only One God); in all the Prophets and Messengers that God sent to mankind; in the Day of Judgment; and do good deeds to all without personal ego or without exploitation; then and only then God assures us eternal Salvation. Through His Mercy, Forgiveness and Blessings, people will be given Salvation.