Muslims believe that Islam was revealed by God to the Prophet Muhammad when He was 40 years old, over 1400 years ago in Mecca, in what is now Saudi Arabia.  Although initially persecuted, by the time of His death, most of Arabia had converted to Islam. The Arabic word for God is Allah. Muslims believe that Allah sent Messengers to each nation throughout the history of humankind to guide humanity to worship God and obey His commands, and that Prophet Muhammad is the final Messenger. The word Islam means submission to or obedience to God. A central teaching of Islam is that there is only one God, who created and sustains the entire universe and everything in it. God is so close to His creation, as stated in the Qur’an, that God is nearer to man than man is to his own jugular vein. Islam teaches that nature is entrusted to humankind as its guardian. People should enjoy the fruits of the earth but avoid cruelty to animals and excess leading to waste.

Muslims look to the example of the Prophet Muhammad to regulate their behavior and improve their character. Prayer five times per day, one month of fasting, giving money to charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca are all pillars of the Islamic faith. The Shahada, or Declaration of Faith, is also a pillar: the statement, “La ilaha illa Allah wa Muhammad Rasulullah” which means “There is no deity worthy of being worshipped except God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God”.  This declaration is more than just a statement; it must be shown with one’s actions.  To convert to the faith of Islam, a person has to say this statement.

Justice is a central tenet of Islam. There are many sayings in the Qur’an on this subject. Islam has forbidden all forms of oppression and wrong-doing. Muslims are required to respect the dignity of mankind, regardless of religion, race, nationality, or place of birth.  The Prophet Muhammad said: “Surely Allah does not look at your faces or your bodies, but looks at your hearts and your deeds”. Humanity will be judged by Allah regarding how we have discharged our responsibilities, as set out in Islam.

At the Humanics Sanctuary a site has been reserved for sculptures or plaques of Islam that portrays the three essential values that the Humanics Institute is meant to promote.  The Institute would appreciate if Individuals or groups belonging to the Islam faith, could volunteer to work with the Institute to develop this site with relevant sculptures or plaques and appropriate landscaping.