Facts about Muslim People

Muslim people are those who accepted Islam and Islam is a religion revealed by Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ is the prophet of Islam and the book revealed for Muslims is Holy Quran Pak. Muslim beliefs are based on the teachings of the beloved Prophet Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ and the teachings of holy Quran. There are facts about Muslim people which distinguish them from non-Muslim. These are some common but unique practices of Muslims.

Supplication whenever Muslims decide to do anything, they recite

“بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّ حِیْم”

Translation: “In the name of Allah, the most compassionate, the most merciful.”

When Muslims begin any activity in the name of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ they inherently refrain from committing sinful acts. Not a single real Muslim has the audacity to commit a wrong doing by initiating it with the name of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. Reciting this sacred verse brings abundant blessings and makes work safe, sound and smooth. Another benefit of this is that Muslims are constantly praising the Lord Almighty.

Salutations

Muslims use proper salutations whenever writing or saying the holy name of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, His Prophets and His beloved saints. Doing this shows their importance and our reverence and affection for them. Such personalities are not to be called on as we do to others among us.

Utmost Respect for the Holy Quran

The Holy Quran is not a regular book. It is the word of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ that contains Devine laws and principles. Muslims handle the Holy Quran with utmost respect and keep it safely and securely.

Greeting with السلام علیکم

Whenever Muslims see, meet, or hear the voice of another Muslim, or send regards through others, the proper greeting of Salam is exchanged. Greeting with Salam is a Sunnah but its response is mandatory for every Muslim. Whoever greets with Salam first receives more blessings than those who reply to it. Salam increase love and respect among Muslims.

Use of Right Hand

In Islam the right hand has preference over the left hand. It is a Sunnah of the Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ to use the right hand when eating, giving and receiving. Some people write with their left hand. There is no sin in it; however following the Sunnah brings a lot of blessings. Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ knows our adaptive nature, and He is all forgiving.

Sneezing

Upon sneezing Muslim says الحمد للہ   and those who hear it should reply by saying یرحمک اللہ . When Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ entered the spirit into the body of Adam عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام, he became alive and upon sneezing said الحمد للہ   to which the angels replied یرحمک اللہ . Scientific research reveals that the human heart skips a beat as one sneezes. By saying الحمد للہ , Muslim praises the Lord, accepting that only He controls life and sustain it. Our life and death is for and because of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and a proper thanks for the precious gift of life is to praise Him.

Halal and Haram (Permitted and Prohibited)

Muslims must know what has been made halal and haram, so they can bring into use halal and avoid haram. Muslims do not have the right to make things prohibited or permitted on their own accord, because Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and His Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ have already completely distinguished between what is prohibited and what is permitted.

Nikkah

Nikkah is a Sunnah of Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ. It is the only legitimate way for a man and a woman to become lawful husband and wife. It is a binding contract between husband and wife that, at the least, makes them halal to each other. It is only through this contract that they can begin to conceive children and begin a legitimate family unit.

Talaq

Talaq is commonly known as divorce. It is an unpleasant event and completely undesirable in Islam. It should only be resorted to under extreme circumstances. Talaq nullifies the relation between husband and wife that was established through Nikkah. Among other things, talaq is very much despised by Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ.

Naming Good Names

Muslim parents look for good, meaningful names for their children. Names directly influence the personality of children. This is why parents often choose names of spiritual personalities or names that are meaningful. In any event, one must always choose names that help one’s child to become morally good.

Muslim Character

True Muslims are known for their outstanding character and behavior, which are modeled on the Prophet’s example. Islam commands Muslims to be respectful and to show hospitality, especially to parents, relatives and neighbors. They must avoid hard feelings and sincerely accept and apologize for their mistakes, and they must keep their hearts free of hate and envy. Islam teaches that one should be respectful to elders, fair to equals, and compassionate to juniors. Mentors and teachers should always receive respectful behavior from their Muslim students. Strangers, wayfarers and the poverty stricken are to be cared for, as are family members. Allah عَزّوَجَلَّ loves those who rush to assist others in need, whether or not they ask for assistance. When it comes to helping others, Muslims do not hesitate, think twice, or do benefit analysis. Muslims wholeheartedly remember that Allah عَزّوَجَلَّ knows best one’s inner thoughts and intentions. The Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ said “be truthful, even if it hurts you”.

Tahara (Cleanliness)

A state of purity or cleanliness is of great importance to Muslims. They must always keep their body and soul pure from dirt, filth and sin. Islam teaches Muslims how to do this. Spiritual tahara is acquired through Islam’s various obligatory practices, such as Salah, Fasting, Zakah and Hajj. These commandments have the spiritual power to wash out all kinds of impurities from the heart. Physical tahara is possible through the use of water, such as after urinating or defecating and wuzu before Namaz etc and Gusal when it becomes mandatory.

Bathrooms

Muslims are not allowed to urinate standing up. They are to be extremely careful when urinating and make sure that urine does not come into contact with their body or clothes. It is commended to not spend more than the time needed in restrooms, to be silent while there, and definitely not take any literature in the bathroom.

Muslim Attire

Islam does not outline any specific attire for Muslims, but it clearly requires both men and women to dress modestly and cover their body as required. Muslim man must at least cover waist down, up to just below their knees. Any degree of nakedness is highly discouraged, sinful and forbidden.

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