Introduction

I am a 22 year-old Muslim girl who was born and bred in a small town in Essex. My mother and father, originally from Mauritius, came to Britain in the 70's.

Belief

Muslims believe in the five pillars of Islam. Belief in ALL five is at the heart of being a Muslim.

These five pillars are:

1. Shahaadah - Belief in one God Allah and his messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him).
2. Salaat - Prayer, five times a day. Before sunrise, at midday, mid afternoon, sunset and late evening.
3. Saaum - Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. This entails refraining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset.
4. Zakaah - giving of charity. This is self-assessed at 2.5% of the surplus wealth saved over a yearly period.
5. Hajj - the pilgrimage to the Holy City of Makkah to perform the rituals and rites of Hajj.

The belief in the Qur'aan (holy book) and the Sunnah (example of the Prophet) are key to Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (pbup) was an example for all mankind and his life should be a reflection for us to follow.

Although these are the essentials of Islam, some individuals may not necessarily practise the faith fully. They will still identify as being a Muslim.

Belonging

Islam has a basis, which relies on the pillars and the Qur'aan and the Sunnah. If you follow these, you cannot go wrong in your faith. However, there has been a dilution of Islam through cultural traditions and this is where the deviations happen.

The requirements and expectations are simple.

• One is expected to be a pious person who has a simple and modest life engaging in Halaal (allowed Islamically) pass-times.
• Your dress should also be modest. For a man to be covered from the breast to under the knees. This dress should not imitate a women and visa versa. For women it is to 'guard her modesty' and to cover from her head to her feet but not requiring the hands, feet and face to be covered. Again dress should be modest and not see-through.
• There is equality within the faith in that both men and women are expected to follow the teachings of the Qur'aan and Sunnah.
• Islam is a brotherhood so helping ones brother and sister in Islam is very important.
• There is a strong emphasis on preparing for death, as it is the one thing we are certain about, so Islam teaches to constantly be ready for that moment. This is why hygiene is stressed upon every Muslim. One has to have ablution to perform prayer and should always have clean clothes on and be clean.
• Muslims are expected to be in an occupation that is halaal (allowed) so working in a pub would not be as the consumption of alcohol is haraam (prohibited).
• Muslim men are expected to pray at the mosque on a Friday, which is a holy day
• Muslims are expected to marry within their own faith.

Being

Being a Muslim allows one to develop a different way of thinking and acting. When a person practises Islam in its entirety, they can understand its meaning in a much more meaningful way.

You begin to see life for what it is; without substance and very much like 'ground-hog day' you wake up to go to work to come home to save money to go on holiday, with no thought that you're doing it for a higher cause, an unseen entity.

It becomes more than a religion or tradition, but a way of life. As one needs to breathe to survive, a Muslim feels that way about their prayer.

Muslims should be calm and peaceful people. Anger is seen to be a tool of the devil and so those types of feelings should be avoided or one should not allow oneself to be put in situations, which will perpetuate such feelings. Muslims are kind and generous and should always give, as Allah is the provider and the taker of all good and bad.

Muslims are always conscious of the futility of this world and how one day it will come to an end. One should try not to get caught up with the materialism of this life and remember that all the deeds done now will have an effect in the next life. This causes Muslims to strive to perfection or to be the best of the Muslims. Acting Islamically will hopefully ensure a better place in the hereafter.

Adultery, stealing, consuming alcohol and drugs are totally forbidden in Islam. This is seen as a destructive force in society and therefore is not to be done. Islam teaches us to be totally aware of our actions and be in control of ourselves.

Relations before marriage between a man and a woman are forbidden also. This is to emphasise the sanctity and sacredness of marriage and that marriage is a beautiful and blessed relationship. Marriage is described as half of the faith and so when a person becomes of marriageable age, it should not be delayed. However, Islam does not condone forced marriages, and the Qur'aan clearly states the use of choice in such decision-making.

Unlawful killing of humans and animals is also forbidden. Killing for food or for safety is allowed but it has to be justified in the correct manner.

Islam teaches peace, justice and harmony. It is a religion of contemplation and forgiveness for oneself and for others. It has a clear method of justice and equality for all: men, women, young, old, and from all different races and religions.