Ramadan is the month of fasting and is also considered the month of revelation in which Muslims believe not only the Qur’an was revealed via the Archangel Gabriel (Jibreel in Arabic) to Muhammad (peace be upon him) but also the previous scriptures such as the Gospel to Jesus and Torah to Moses (peace be upon them).

The Quran recounts more of his life than any other Prophet. The Quran tells us of how he went to Pharaoh to present the message of Tawheed (oneness of God) Pharaoh said: “If you choose a god other than me, I will certainly put you among the prisoners.” Musa said: “Even if I bring you something manifest and convincing.” Pharaoh said: “Bring it forth then, if you are of the truthful!” (Quran chapter, 26 verse 29-31)

When people decide not to be responsible, society becomes chaotic and fraught with problems. When there is no sense of accountability in parents, children, politicians or communities, then people suffer. The Prophet Muhammad said "I have been sent to complete the qualities of good character". 

In Islam, being accountable and responsible is paramount. Parents are responsible for the upbringing of their children, to teach them properly, even to name them with good names. The Prophet Muhammad said "You will be called on the day of judgment by your names and your fathers’ names, so therefore, choose beautiful names". All this means that they will have a good footing for when they are older by teaching them properly from when they are young.

Islam’s various laws are interconnected. Islam is a holistic and comprehensive system for life. They create an environment less likely to produce crime due to its values, a stable family structure underpinning the society, economic support for the weakest, but also harsh punishments likely to deter all but the most ruthless criminals.

Muslims name the devil Iblis, or Shaytan (Satan). They understand him in quite a different way to Christians. In Christianity the devil appears to have independent power and is the leader of hell. He is a rival to God and a fallen angel.

Islam rejects these concepts. The devil is not a fallen angel. Angels were created without free will and are always in obedience to Allah.

Secular philosophy and science in modern times have increased the scepticism by which people view stories of miracles. Natural explanations are sought for all things or else reports of the event are mistrusted.

The Quran – like the Old and New Testament - informs us that different Prophets throughout human history performed miracles. Muslims believe that miracles are only performed with Allah’s (God’s) permission. By definition, it is beyond the ability of human beings to perform these miracles without God’s permission.

His miracle was not temporary, like those of Moses and Jesus, which could only be directly believed in by those who saw them. Today, no Christian can bring the dead man back to life, and no Jew can demonstrate the staff as a proof for their belief. Rather, we as Muslims believe in these miracles, because they are narrated in the Holy Quran, which is itself the miracle that proves for all mankind the truth of the message of Islam. In this way, the proof of Islam is complete for all time to come, for it lies in the Book itself. 

Commonly, non-Muslims fail to understand the role of these important concepts in Islam. Islam is accused of being very legalistic, without much concern for spiritual matters.

It is widely believed in the West that Islam subjugates women. Many believe that men force women to cover their hair, to stay at home chained to the stove, that women should remain uneducated and weak as second class citizens within an Islamic society. Therefore, they call for the liberation of Muslim women through the abandonment of Islamic tradition, to take on Western values. So how does Islam view women?

An Outstanding characteristic of the Prophet Muhammad is that he was the best in his community both, morally and intellectually. The people of Makkah knew him only as a man of excellent character and cultured manners, calling him ‘Al-Ameen’, ‘The Trustworthy’.

A Muslim believes in Allah (the Arabic name referring to God); that nothing other than Allah is worthy of worship, and that Muhammad was His final Prophet. A Muslim does not pray to Muhammad nor believes that Muhammad was the son of God, nor that Jesus is the son of God. Muslims believe that Allah is above having a son. Allah is considered unique, without equal. His existence is realisable but His essence and nature is beyond human comprehension.

Islam has a unique view on spirituality, as it encompasses all aspects of the Muslim's life. Islam doesn't view 'spirituality' separately from everyday activities. All actions that are referred to Allah (God) are spiritual, including the supplications we utter before we go to bed and the type of bank account we hold.

The book that Muslims refer to for guidance, the Quran, encourages thought, reflection and investigation.

“Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth,  and the alteration of night and day, these are indeed signs for men of  understanding.” (Quran chapter 3, verse 190)

Muslims believe the Quran is the revealed word of Allah (God). The Quran is absolutely central to  Islam. Muslims believe that it is the literal, verbal communication of Allah. Quran means “recitation” Through it Allah gives guidance to all humanity, showing them how to live according to Allah’s will.