35:7)
Hell is where unbelievers and sinners will spend eternity. One translation of the Koran states: “The unbelievers among the People of the Book [Christians and Jews] and the pagans shall burn for ever in the fire of Hell. They are the vilest of all creatures” (Sura 98:1–8).
The “magnificent reward” that Muslims hope to achieve is Paradise—“gardens of bliss” where they will be joined by their spouses (resurrected as virgins) and waited on by immortal youths. There they will enjoy sensual pleasures: choice food and drink, nice clothes and jewelry, lovely companions, and beautiful virgins (Sura 56:12–37).
Sin and Salvation
Muslims believe human beings are born sinless and are good by nature. Since they don’t have a fallen nature, they don’t think they need a Savior. They depend on their own efforts to please Allah.
Muslims believe that Allah will judge everyone on Judgment Day according to their deeds (helping others, testifying to the truth of God, leading a virtuous life). If they have done more good deeds than bad, they hope Allah will forgive their sins and let them into Paradise when they die. But they can’t be sure.
The Koran tells them that the good deeds they do will cancel out bad deeds (Sura 11:114), but no one knows how many good deeds are enough. Although they believe they can ask Allah to forgive their sins, Allah may or may not forgive them. The Koran says, “ Allah...punishes whom he pleases and forgives whom he pleases” (Sura 5:40).
Because the tally of good deeds vs. bad is known only to Allah, Muslims cannot know whether they are saved until Judgment Day. The Koran says:
“ Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy, they will be successful. But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls; in hell will they abide.” (Sura 23:102–103)
To go to Paradise, the Koran says Muslims should believe in Allah, the prophets of Islam, the Koran, angels, and Judgment Day (Sura 4:136). They must repent and obey Islamic law, but even doing those things will not necessarily assure Muslims of salvation.
In other words, though Allah is frequently called Forgiving and Merciful in the Koran, forgiveness and mercy don’t appear to be applied to the sinner’s account—sin must still be atoned for by each individual’s works.
Muslim Customs
All Muslims have five important duties that they are obligated to fulfill. These duties, called the “Five Pillars,” are referred to by their Arabic names:
1. Shahada : Confess the faith by reciting, “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.”
2. Salat : Pray five times a day at specific times while facing the city of Mecca, the birthplace of Muhammad. Wherever they live, all Muslims must face Mecca during their times of prayer, and perform ceremonial washing beforehand. The five daily prayers are recited in Arabic.
3. Zakat : Give money to help the poor. Muslim adults are required to give 2.5 percent of their wealth to charity every year. Some Muslim youth do volunteer work as a form of helping the needy.
4. Sawm : Fast from sunrise to sunset during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, to remember the giving of the Koran to Muhammad. After sunset, Muslims may get together with family and friends to eat a meal called iftar . Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan with a three-day festival called Eid al-Fitr . Schools and businesses close in Muslim countries for the holidays.
5. Hajj : Take a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once if possible. Mecca is a holy city for Muslims; by law, non-Muslims may not enter it. On the road to Mecca, highway signs direct non-Muslims to exit before reaching the city. Once a year, approximately 2 million Muslims from all over the world come to Mecca for the Hajj , a ritual lasting several days. For many Muslims, the Hajj is the high point of their lives.
The Five Pillars form the framework for
Hell is where unbelievers and sinners will spend eternity. One translation of the Koran states: “The unbelievers among the People of the Book [Christians and Jews] and the pagans shall burn for ever in the fire of Hell. They are the vilest of all creatures” (Sura 98:1–8).
The “magnificent reward” that Muslims hope to achieve is Paradise—“gardens of bliss” where they will be joined by their spouses (resurrected as virgins) and waited on by immortal youths. There they will enjoy sensual pleasures: choice food and drink, nice clothes and jewelry, lovely companions, and beautiful virgins (Sura 56:12–37).
Sin and Salvation
Muslims believe human beings are born sinless and are good by nature. Since they don’t have a fallen nature, they don’t think they need a Savior. They depend on their own efforts to please Allah.
Muslims believe that Allah will judge everyone on Judgment Day according to their deeds (helping others, testifying to the truth of God, leading a virtuous life). If they have done more good deeds than bad, they hope Allah will forgive their sins and let them into Paradise when they die. But they can’t be sure.
The Koran tells them that the good deeds they do will cancel out bad deeds (Sura 11:114), but no one knows how many good deeds are enough. Although they believe they can ask Allah to forgive their sins, Allah may or may not forgive them. The Koran says, “ Allah...punishes whom he pleases and forgives whom he pleases” (Sura 5:40).
Because the tally of good deeds vs. bad is known only to Allah, Muslims cannot know whether they are saved until Judgment Day. The Koran says:
“ Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy, they will be successful. But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls; in hell will they abide.” (Sura 23:102–103)
To go to Paradise, the Koran says Muslims should believe in Allah, the prophets of Islam, the Koran, angels, and Judgment Day (Sura 4:136). They must repent and obey Islamic law, but even doing those things will not necessarily assure Muslims of salvation.
In other words, though Allah is frequently called Forgiving and Merciful in the Koran, forgiveness and mercy don’t appear to be applied to the sinner’s account—sin must still be atoned for by each individual’s works.
Muslim Customs
All Muslims have five important duties that they are obligated to fulfill. These duties, called the “Five Pillars,” are referred to by their Arabic names:
1. Shahada : Confess the faith by reciting, “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.”
2. Salat : Pray five times a day at specific times while facing the city of Mecca, the birthplace of Muhammad. Wherever they live, all Muslims must face Mecca during their times of prayer, and perform ceremonial washing beforehand. The five daily prayers are recited in Arabic.
3. Zakat : Give money to help the poor. Muslim adults are required to give 2.5 percent of their wealth to charity every year. Some Muslim youth do volunteer work as a form of helping the needy.
4. Sawm : Fast from sunrise to sunset during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, to remember the giving of the Koran to Muhammad. After sunset, Muslims may get together with family and friends to eat a meal called iftar . Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan with a three-day festival called Eid al-Fitr . Schools and businesses close in Muslim countries for the holidays.
5. Hajj : Take a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once if possible. Mecca is a holy city for Muslims; by law, non-Muslims may not enter it. On the road to Mecca, highway signs direct non-Muslims to exit before reaching the city. Once a year, approximately 2 million Muslims from all over the world come to Mecca for the Hajj , a ritual lasting several days. For many Muslims, the Hajj is the high point of their lives.
The Five Pillars form the framework for
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