Muslim
A Muslim (Arabic: مُسلِم), is a person who believes in the teachings of the religion of Islam and strives to act upon those beliefs. According to Shi'a jurists, conversion to Islam is achieved simply by reciting the shahadatayn (the two testimonies of faith). All Muslims share the fundamental beliefs in monotheism, prophethood, and resurrection. Similarly, acts of worship such as prayer, fasting, and Hajj are also shared practices among all Muslims. Historians believe that 'Ali (a) and Khadija (a) were the first individuals to accept Islam.
According to the Pew Research Center, the global Muslim population was approximately 1,752,620,000 as of 2015. Islam is the second-largest religion in the world regarding the number of its followers, with Christianity being the largest. The survey revealed that nearly two-thirds (62 percent) of the world's Muslim population resides in Asia and Oceania.
Muslim literally means a person who submits to God's commands. In the Qur'an, the word Muslim and its cognates are used in the same sense.
Place and History
Islam appeared in 610 CE in Mecca in the Arabian Peninsula when Muhammad (s) was appointed by God to prophethood. Its followers are called Muslims.[1] Reportedly, 'Ali (a), the first Imam of the Shi'a, and Khadija (a), the wife’s prophet, were the first to accept Islam.[2] According to Ibn Hisham in his book al-Sirat al-nabawiyya, after Imam 'Ali (a) and Khadija (a), individuals such as Zayd b. al-Haritha, Abu Bakr b. Abi Quhafa, 'Uthman b. 'Affan, Sa'd b. Abi Waqqas, Zubayr b. 'Awam, 'Abd al-Rahman b. 'Awf, and Talha b. 'Ubayd Allah were among the first Muslims.[3]
The topic Muslim or Islam is discussed in some jurisprudential hadiths[4] and most sections of Islamic jurisprudence, such as cleanliness, prayer, zakat, fasting, Hajj, jihad, commerce, delegation, will, marriage, hunting and slaughtering animals, reviving the dead land, penal laws, and qisas.[5]
Terminology
A Muslim is a person who believes in, and acts upon, the Islamic doctrines.[6] Some people believe that a person is a Muslim only if they convert to Islam and surrender to the Prophet (s).[7]
The term Muslim and its derivatives appear over forty times in the Quran, carrying both a specific and a general meaning.[8] The term is used in a broad sense, referring to a person who submits to God's commands, believes in monotheism, and rejects all forms of polytheism and idolatry. In this sense, the Quran describes the faith of Prophet Abraham (a) as Islam, and Abraham himself as a Muslim.[9] However, in a more specific context, a Muslim is a follower of the religion of Prophet Muhammad (s).[10]
Difference between Faithful and Muslim
Based on certain verses of the Quran[11] and hadiths,[12] Islamic jurists differentiate between the terms Muslim and mu'min (faithful or believer). In a general sense, a believer is someone who wholeheartedly believes in the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (s) and verbally expresses that belief.[13] A Muslim, on the other hand, is someone who verbally testifies to their belief in Islam. [14]However, in a more specific context, Shiite jurists use the term mu'min to refer to those who also accept the imamate of Imams of the Shi'a.[15]
| “ | The Bedouins say, ‘We have faith.’ Say, ‘You do not have faith yet; rather, say, "We have embraced Islam," for faith has not yet entered into your hearts. | ” |
| — Quran, 49:14 | ||
Characteristics of Muslims in Hadiths
a Muslim's intellect is not complete unless they possess the following qualities:
- They have hope for the good.
- They do not cause harm to others.
- They consider the small good deeds of others as significant.
- They consider their own significant good deeds as small.
- He does not get frustrated by requests from others.
- He never tires of seeking knowledge.
- He finds poverty on the path of God more pleasing than wealth.
- He values humility in the path of God over being respected by God's enemies.
- He prefers anonymity over fame.
When asked about the tenth quality, he replied that whenever he sees someone, he believes that they are better and more pious than himself.
Ṭuḥaf al-ʿuqūl, p. 443
Certain hadiths that emphasize ethical values attribute specific characteristics to a genuine Muslim.[16] For example, according to a hadith from the Prophet (s), a true Muslim is someone who does not harm other with his tongue and hands.[17] In another hadith, Imam 'Ali (a) lists the traits of a true Muslim, which include wisdom, a good reputation, truthfulness, reciting the Quran with care, having friendships and enmities for the sake of God, acknowledging the guardianship of the Ahl al-Bayt (a), respecting the rights of others, and being a kind neighbor.[18]
Principles of Belief
The following principles of belief are shared by all Muslims, regardless of their sect:
- Monotheism: Muslims believe in the oneness of God,[19] who is the sole creator of the universe and has no partners.[20]
- Resurrection: Muslims believe in the day of resurrection, when the soul is reunited with the body, and individuals are judged based on their actions. Those who did good deeds are rewarded with eternal blessings in heaven, while wrongdoers are punished.[21]
- Prophethood: Muslims believe that (1) Muhammad (s) was chosen by God as a prophet,[22] (2) the Quran was revealed to him by God,[23] and (3) he is the final prophet, and there will be no prophets after him.[24]
Acts of Worship
The major acts of worship that are shared by all Muslims are as follows:
- Prayer: Muslims are obligated to perform five daily prayers, which consist of seventeen rak'as in total.[25] The morning prayer has two rak'as, the noon prayer has four, the afternoon prayer has four, the evening prayer has three, and the isha' prayer has four.[26]
- Fasting: Muslims are required to fast during the month of Ramadan from dawn (adhan of the morning prayer) until sunset (adhan of the evening prayer).[27]
- Hajj: Muslims must perform the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime during the month of Dhu al-Hijja (provided certain conditions are met).[28] Muslims from all over the world gather in Mecca to perform the Hajj rituals.[29]
Jurisprudential Rulings
Shi'a jurists believe that a person becomes Muslim simply by reciting the Shahadatayn (the two declarations of faith in Islam).[30] Once a person becomes Muslim, they are subject to certain jurisprudential rulings, including:
- The body and bodily wetness of a Muslim are considered clean.[31]
- The life, property, and reputation of a Muslim must be respected.[32]
- Male Muslims are required to be circumcised, even if they are old.[33]
- Acts of worship are only considered valid if performed by a Muslim, as their validity depends on the intention of seeking closeness to God.[34]
- A Muslim woman is not permitted to marry a man from the People of the Book.[36]
- Muslims are not subject to the dominion of non-Muslims. The principle of "negating any way" (nafy al-sabil) affirms that there is no way for non-Muslims to have authority over Muslims.[37]
- According to Shi'a jurists, a Muslim man who openly renounces Islam, denies any of its essential doctrines, denies a doctrine of consensus among Muslims or Shias, is considered an apostate (murtadd) and will be subject to the rulings of apostasy.[38]
Holy Sites of Muslims
There are several sites that are considered holy by all Muslims, including:
- The Ka'ba, located in Mecca, is the holiest site in Islam and the qibla (direction of prayer) for Muslims around the world.[39] The al-Masjid al-Haram, which surrounds the Ka'ba, is also a significant mosque for Muslims.[40]
- The Masjid al-Nabi, located in Medina, is another important mosque and a holy site for Muslims.[41] It was built by the Prophet (s) upon his arrival in Medina.[42]
- The Masjid al-Aqsa, located in southeastern Jerusalem al-Quds,[43] is considered the third holiest site in Islam and was the first qibla for Muslims.[44]
- The Cave of Hira, where the Prophet (s) received his first revelation, is also a significant holy site for Muslims.[45]
Population
As of 2015, the Pew Research Center reports that there are 1,752,620,000 Muslims worldwide, [46]making Islam the second-largest religion in terms of followers, after Christianity.[47] The majority of Muslims (62 percent) are located in Asia and Oceania.[48] The following table shows the top 10 countries with the largest Muslim populations, according to the survey:[49]
| No | Country | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indonesia | 219,960,000 | 87/1 % |
| 2 | India | 194,810,000 | 14/9 % |
| 3 | Pakistan | 184,000,000 | 96/4 % |
| 4 | Bangladesh | 144,020,000 | 90/6 % |
| 5 | Nigeria | 90,020,000 | 50 % |
| 6 | Egypt | 83,870,000 | 95/1 % |
| 7 | Iran | 77,650,000 | 99/5 % |
| 8 | Turkey | 75,460,000 | 98 % |
| 9 | Algeria | 37,210,000 | 97/9 % |
| 10 | Iraq | 36,200,000 | 99 % |
In addition, the Pew Research Center reports that as of 2017, there were approximately 3.45 million Muslims in the United States, making up about 1.1% of the total population.[50] In Europe, the number of Muslims increased from 19.5 million in 2010 to 25.8 million in 2016, which represents a rise from 8.3% to 9.4% of the total population.[51]
Sects
Shiite and Sunni sects are the two largest denominations in Islam in terms of the number of followers. According to the Pew Research Center's Religion and Public Life report, 10-13 percent of the global Muslim population are Shias, while 87-90 percent are Sunni Muslims.[52] Another report indicates that the current Shia population, including Imamiyya, Isma'iliyya, and Zaydiyya, is over 300 million worldwide. This constitutes approximately one-fifth (19.1 percent) of the entire Muslim population in the world and about 4.1 percent (or one twenty-fifth) of the world's total population.[53]
Gallery
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Al-Masjid al-Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
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Muslims while congregational prayer
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Masjid al-Aqsa, Jerusalem, Palestine
Notes
- ↑ Bahrāmīyān, "Islām", p. 395.
- ↑ Yaʿqūbī, Tārīkh al-Yaʿqūbī, vol. 2, p. 23.
- ↑ Ibn Hishām, al-Sīrat al-Nabī, vol. 1, p. 262-273.
- ↑ Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 3, p. 68-76.
- ↑ Muʾassisat Dāʾirat al-Maʿārif al-Fiqh al-Islāmī, Farhang-i fiqh-i fārsī, vol. 1, p. 511.
- ↑ Weeks, Dānishnāma-yi aqwām-i musalmān, p. 2.
- ↑ Sayyid Sharaf al-Dīn, Āʾīn-i hamzīstī-yi musalmānān, p. 34.
- ↑ Ṭabāṭabāʾī, al-Mīzān, vol. 18, p. 328-329.
- ↑ Makārim Shīrāzī, Tafsīr-i nimūna, vol. 2, p. 703; Muṣṭafawī, al-Tahqīq, vol. 2, p. 294-295.
- ↑ Ṭabāṭabāʾī, al-Mīzān, vol. 18, p. 328-329.
- ↑ Quran, 49:14.
- ↑ Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 3, p. 68-76.
- ↑ Shahīd al-Thānī, Masālik al-ifhām, vol. 5, p. 337.
- ↑ Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 65, p. 315.
- ↑ Shahīd al-Thānī, Masālik al-ifhām, vol. 5, p. 338.
- ↑ Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 71, p. 158-159; Ibn Shuʿba, Tuḥaf al-ʿuqūl, p. 196-197.
- ↑ ; Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 3, p. 592.
- ↑ Ibn Shuʿba, Tuḥaf al-ʿuqūl, p. 196-197.
- ↑ Yaḥyā, "Siyr-i masʾala-yi tawḥīd dar ʿalam-i islām tā qarn-i haftum-i hijrī", p. 196; Ṣāfī Gulpāyigānī, Tawhīd dar nizām-i imāmat, p. 21.
- ↑ Karīmiī, Tawhīd az dīdgāh-i āyāt wa riwāyāt, p. 19-20.
- ↑ Majlisī, Haqq al-yaqīn, vol. 2, p. 369.
- ↑ Ḥillī, Kashf al-murād, vol. 480-485; ʿĪjī, Sharh al-Mawāqif, vol. 8, p. 243-244.
- ↑ Muṭahharī, Majmūʿa-yi āthār, vol. 26, p. 127.
- ↑ Bīyābānī Uskūyī, Nabuwwat, p. 202-203.
- ↑ Najafī, Jawāhir al-kalām, vol. 7, p. 12; Ḥillī, Sharāʾiʿ al-Islām, vol. 1, p. 46.
- ↑ Ḥillī, Sharāʾiʿ al-Islām, vol. 1, p. 46.
- ↑ Ḥillī, Sharāʾiʿ al-Islām, vol. 1, p. 139.
- ↑ Ḥillī, Sharāʾiʿ al-Islām, vol. 1, p. 163; Anṣārī, Kitāb al-ḥajj, p. 6.
- ↑ Ḥillī, Sharāʾiʿ al-Islām, vol. 1, p. 174.
- ↑ Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 65, p. 315; Najafī, Jawāhir al-kalām; vol. 41, p. 630.
- ↑ Muʾassisat Dāʾirat al-Maʿārif al-Fiqh al-Islāmī, Farhang-i fiqh-i fārsī, vol. 1, p. 513.
- ↑ Muḥaqqiq Dāmād, Qawāʿid-i fiqhī, vol. 1, p. 213-214.
- ↑ Najafī, Jawāhir al-kalām, vol. 31, p. 263.
- ↑ Najafī, Jawāhir al-kalām, vol. 17, p. 161.
- ↑ Shahīd al-Thānī, al-Rawḍa al-bahiyya, vol. 2, p. 412.
- ↑ Najafī, Jawāhir al-kalām, vol. 30, p. 92.
- ↑ Ḥusaynī, al-ʿAanāwīn al-fiqhīyya, vol. 2, p. 350.
- ↑ Hāshimī, Dar bāb-i takfīr wa irtidād, p. 85.
- ↑ Kurdī, Kaʿba wa Masjid al-ḥarām dar gudhar-i tārīkh, p. 11.
- ↑ Tūnaʾī, Farhangnāma-yi Ḥajj, p. 885-886.
- ↑ Muʾassisa-yi Farhangī Hunarī-yi Mashʿar, Masjid al-Nabī, p. 3.
- ↑ Muʾassisa-yi Farhangī Hunarī-yi Mashʿar, Masjid al-Nabī, p. 3.
- ↑ Ḥamīdī, Tārīkh-i, Ūrshalīm, p. 183.
- ↑ Mūsā Ghūsha, Tārīkh-i majmūʿa-yi Masjid al-aqṣā, p. 7.
- ↑ Tūnaʾī, Farhangnāma-yi Ḥajj, p. 710-711.
- ↑ Diamant, «The countries with the 10 largest Christian populations and the 10 largest Muslim populations».
- ↑ Desilver and Daivid, «World’s Muslim population more widespread than you might think».
- ↑ Desilver and Daivid, «World’s Muslim population more widespread than you might think».
- ↑ Desilver and Daivid, «World’s Muslim population more widespread than you might think».
- ↑ Mohamed, «New estimates show U.S. Muslim population continues to grow».
- ↑ Hackett, «5facts about the Muslim population in Europe».
- ↑ Anjuman-i dīn wa zindigī-yi ʿumūmī-yi PEW, Naqsha-yi jamʿīyyat-i musalmānān-i jahān, p. 11.
- ↑ Anjuman-i dīn wa zindigī-yi ʿumūmī-yi PEW, Naqsha-yi jamʿīyyat-i musalmānān-i jahān, p. 11.
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