There is a noted shift in content between verses revealed earlier in Mecca (which typically appear midway to the end of the Qur’an) where the Prophet and his followers faced persecution and those revealed later on in Medina (which typically appear toward the beginning to midway of the Qur’an) when the Muslims became an organized established community ( ummah). O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person, and from him He created his wife, and from them both He created many men and women, and fear Allaah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship) Surely, Allaah is Ever an All-Watcher over you).’ [al-Nisaa’ 4:1], The Prophet Muhammad ? encouraged Muslims to accept invitations to attend marriage ceremonies and marriage feasts: “…and he who refuses to accept an invitation to a marriage feast, verily disobeys Allah and His Prophet”. [Ahmad & Abu Dawood] I testify that there is no god except the One God and I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.” Beyond the constant reminders in the Qur’an as to who the Prophet Muhammad is, there is also the collective memory and imagination of Muslims that has been passed down from generation to generation for fourteen centuries through stories, sayings and songs. These traditions are written down and often artistically calligraphed in Mosques, homes and murals wherever Muslims live. Even more powerfully these traditions continue to be orally transmitted from teacher-to-student and parent-to-children in formal and informal settings.

Islam: The Essentials - Tariq Ramadan - Google Books

Islam is the culmination of the universal message of God taught by all of His prophets. Muslims believe that a prophet was chosen for every nation at some point in their history, enjoining them to worship God alone and delivering guidance on how to live peacefully with others. Some of the prophets of God include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, peace be upon them all. The prophets all conveyed the consistent divine message of worshiping one God, along with specific societal laws for each nation’s circumstances. Islam: The Final Prophet Restored the Original Message of God Charity ( Zakah): Thisis an annual charity given to the poor. Muslims must give 2.5% of their yearly savings to help the poor, the needy, and the oppressed. Charity is one of the vital sources of social welfare in Islam, encouraging a just society where everyone’s basic needs are provided for. Muhammad is so respected that it is usual for Muslims to say 'peace be upon him' whenever they mention his name. In the words of the Prophet? : “O Allah, I ask You her goodness, and the goodness of the inborn dispositions which You have given her, and I solicit Your protection from her evil, and the evil of the inborn dispositions which You have given her.” [Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah]So, Islam then for the human beings is an invitation to join the rest of God’s created universe in harmony and submission. It is an invitation and not a subjugation because God has endowed the human beings with the special responsibility of free will. Human beings can choose harmony or disharmony. The choice does have earthly and afterlife consequences. Islam as a religion – meaning as an organized way of living life in accordance with divine will – is seen by Muslims to be the religion that was given to Adam and Eve, as the first of the human beings, when they entered the chaotic moral universe of earthly life after having only known heavenly bliss. Upon coming out of a state of blissful innocence, having been tempted by Satan to disobey God, Adam and Eve – in the Qur’anic narrative – turn earnestly to God in repentance, seeking guidance. In response, God promises that It is preferable that the groom leads his wife in two raka’at (units of prayer) before asking of Allah what they wish for themselves. The Prophet ? also suggested to say : “O Allah, bless my wife for me, and bless me for her. O Allah, unite between us in good, and if You separate us, separate us in good.” [Abu Shaybah] Traditionally, mahr would reflect the social status of the bride’s family. However, these days, the giving of mahr is seen mainly as a symbol. No one wants to begin married life burdened with debt and, equally, Islam does not wish to prevent men from getting married simply because they cannot afford an expensive dowry. Walima: the marriage banquet

Islam: Islam at a glance BBC - Religions - Islam: Islam at a glance

The Muslim holy book is called the Qur'an. Muslims believe this to be the word of Allah as dictated to Muhammad. Hadith conveyed just by one person (such as an intimate companion or one of the wives of the Prophet) may still be considered authentic depending on content and context of the hadith. Muhammad is believed by Muslims to be the last prophet sent by God (Allah). They believe God sent prophets to mankind to teach them how to live according to His law. The wedding banquet (Walima) is traditionally held by the groom after the nikah has taken place. It may take place immediately following the nikah, on the following day, the following week or at a future date, but the purpose of the banquet is for family and friends to share in the groom’s happiness on the occasion of his marriage and to give thanks to Allah. The conflicts over the rights of minority women are best dealt with by creating new representative bodies which have special provisions to ensure that women are sufficiently represented. In the Shah Bano case, this would have meant creating a new mechanism to administer Muslim personal law instead of simply recognizing the Muslim Personal Law Board as the legitimate representative of the Muslim community. Creating a new mechanism is more sensitive to the political reality of Muslims in India, which is that they consist of widely dispersed groups characterized by significant differences. It would also make some provision to ensure that Muslim women have some access to the institutions which make the rules which govern their lives. ReferencesGod calls on people to remember Him in all of their actions and purify their hearts so that they can live a truly balanced life. Spirituality in Islam is about nurturing tolerance, kindness, control, righteousness, and forgiveness while shunning arrogance, pride, ego, anger and selfishness. This spirituality and God-consciousness should be reflected in a person’s interactions with other people. Therefore, Islam stresses the importance of treating people with respect, mercy, and dignity. Islam: A Way of Life That Promotes Spirituality, Humanity, and Community India is a country that has partially approved live-in relationships; However, it will still be quite difficult for the Supreme Court to constitutionally invalidate this form of marriage. In modern day era, where feminists all across the globe see this arrangement equivalent to prostitution. There are many advocates of Nikah mut’ah who believe that being a contract, this arrangement is superior to the live- in relationships. Registeration of Marriage under Muslim Law