Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) In Hindu Scriptures

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was chosen by God to communicate his message, he was the prophet and the messenger but he was not the creator of the religion, he was not the negater of the other messengers but the updater of the message of God “to live in harmony and balance” delivered by the messengers in every, tribe, communities and nations.

Islam is not a religion of Muhammad (pbuh), it is a religion of oneness of the creator, oneness of mankind and oneness of the universe, when the whole world acts as one family, the Tauheed, then there will be synergy, one feels the joys and pains of others and focus will shift to living in harmony; the ultimate of the universe and the creation for its survival and continuation.

The advent of Prophet Muhammad is mentioned more than once in the Hindu scriptures. Hindu scriptures are divided into three basic categories: Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas. There are differences about the age of those scriptures; some people believe that they go back almost 4,000 years.

One of the amazing prophecies in these Hindu scriptures is the one on the tongue of Maharshi Vyasa, a Hindu saint, that states that the land of Arabs will be corrupted by the evil doers — maybe a reference to the pre-Islamic pagans; and that Mahamad — a slight adulteration of the name Muhammad — will come and guide those who went astray. He will be circumcised, bearded, eloquent; he will create a great revolution; he will announce the call for prayers; he will eat of the meat of lawful animals but not of the swine; and he will fight against irreligious nations. All these descriptions meet Prophet Muhammad (Vidyarthi).

Prophet Muhammad Mentioned in the Bhavishya Purana
Bhavishya Purana, one of the most important Puranas, includes another prophecy that states that in a foreign country a spiritual teacher whose name is Muhammad will come; he will be a dweller of Arabia; he will gather a large force to fight or kill the devil; and God will protect him from his opponents.  

Prophet Muhammad Mentioned in the Upanishad

Some Hindu scholars consider the Upanishads scripture to be superior to the Vedas, because they impart divine knowledge and teach how the human soul can get nearer to its Maker and Master. 
  

The most important  prophecy in it is the one that mentions the coming of Prophet Muhammad by name, and the Muslim testimony of faith — there is no God but Allah — is repeated more than once in it.

As a result of the clarity and explicitness of that prophecy, some Hindus actually enter into Islam, which has led some Hindu scholars to claim that perhaps this prophecy was written by a Hindu pundit who converted to Islam. But this is refuted because this prophecy was referred to in some of the ancient Hindu books that predate the advent of Islam or Muslims to India (Vidyarthi). 

In the Allo Upanishad, the following description of God is given: the name of the deity is Allah, He is one, the King of all the world, He is the Magnificent, the Greatest of all, the Best, the Most Perfect, the Holiest of all, the Nourisher of the whole world, the Manifester of the earth and the space, and the Lord of all creation. 

He created the sun, the moon, the stars, and the heavens. He is the Nourisher of all the birds, beasts, animals that live in the sea and those that are not visible to the eye. He is the remover of all evils and calamities, and Muhammad is the apostle of Allah.

Prophet Muhammad Mentioned in the Vedas

The third basic category of Hindu scriptures is called the Veda. In the Atharva Veda, it is mentioned that the praiseworthy among people shall be praised; it is known that the name Muhammad in Arabic actually means "the praiseworthy."

It also states that the promised prophet will be a camel rider, which is interesting because Indian prophets were forbidden to ride camels. Prophet Jesus, according to the New Testament, rode on an ass but not on a camel, but it is well known that Prophet Muhammad rode a camel. 

The seventh mantra also speaks about someone who is going to be a guide to all people, and Prophet Muhammad always emphasized that he was not sent to a particular people, likeIsraelites alone or Arabs alone, but to the whole world. 

The sixth mantra speaks about some of the brave people who vanquished without a battle and that the number of their opponents was 10,000, which could be a reference to the battle of the allies or the trench that took place during Prophet Muhammad's time.

The number of the people who put a siege around Madinah were indeed 10,000, and they were vanquished without a battle because God sent a hurricane that finally, after a long siege, forced them to leave. 

In the Rig Veda, it speaks about a person who is described as truthful and trustworthy, powerful and generous who will be famous with 10,000. All these are the characteristics of Prophet Muhammad, and the number 10,000 could be a possible reference to the number of the Companions of Prophet Muhammad who entered Makkah victoriously.   

Works Cited 
Vidyarthi, Abdul Haq. Muhammad in World Scriptures. New Delhi: Adam Publishers, 1990

The reality of God, Life and Peace of Heart !

I am inviting all of our brothers and sisters from all over the world, to recognise the TRUTH that is self evident in front of our very eyes. We wake up in whichever part of the world and we witness the glory of the SUN rising each day without any delay or flaw. As the SUN sets, we witness at appointed times, the MOON in its splendour and grandeur. We witness the beating of our hearts through this magnificent muscle which never stop as long as we are living. Each baby that was born into this world is a miracle in itself and we used to be babies and if we just take a look at our belly buttons, that is a sign for each of us that we were once physically connected to our mothers. The fact that we see with our fantastic eyes and hear with our ears shows that not by chance we were created and all that surround us were once design and created by the Great Designer whom most of us call GOD. 

Mankind created by GOD, for the sole purpose of submitting to Him. During our course of life, we focus purely  on our SELF and PERSON. Everything is about US and ME. Than it slowly dawn on to us that the SELF is not something that could provide us with PEACE within our SELF. The SELF is dependent. We started to try to use other people to make us happy. We go into relationship and fell in love and fell out of love after sometime. We tried wealth and how many people who are wealthy and still they are not happy. Than we look at careers as though that becoming that pilot, doctor, lawyer or the president will make us happy but yet, that only increases our misery. How many doctors, lawyers, pilots, presidents even judges committed suicide in the pages of historical news ? Than we seek those who professes to give inner peace and we seek the Gurus and Self Help Mentors and it only bring us more emptiness as we realise these GURUS and MENTORS  are just like us looking for happiness. Than we started to go down the path of rejecting everything around us and we became ATHEIST. We don't believe in GOD anymore but we forget to ask which GOD or GODS we don't believe in ? 

Than as we grew older we see calamities starting to strike our families, friends and loved ones. Some died because of diseases. Some died due to old age. Some died during infancy. Some died during childhood. Some live long only to suffer degenerating diseases. Than we see others who are happy and gay. They are rich and famous but suddenly we hear of their sudden death. Drugs and substance abuse and behind that happy and gay curtain of life, we hear stories of deep sorrow and emptiness despite all that wealth and riches. 

At times we saw in the news, people from other parts of the world suffered due to geographical calamities in the form of extreme weathers, tsunami, tornado, typhoon, earthquake and sudden explosion of volcanic eruptions. 

Then we also saw in the news, people from other parts of the world suffered because of WAR, FAMINE, OUTBREAK and news of people going crazy and without any hesitation started shooting their families, friends, children in houses, churches and schools. 

We are sadden. Terrified. We felt helpless. Why all these are happening ? Where are we heading ? At the funeral of our friends as we mourn their losses, we started to question the very life we are living. This is how I felt many years ago. 

All these doubts, started to change when I found the Quran and started to live according to how my Creator wants me to live this life. I surrendered my will of living into putting GOD as the centre of my life guided by the Quran.

We only need to believe in God sincerely, fear Him as He is supposed to be feared , and lead the life our Creator wants us to. Only sincerity in God's way and with clear deep conviction that we will meet Him  will  provide humans with wisdom and clarity of faith  as how we ought to live as servants of God. 

The Quran urges us to ponder over life and God within our existence when we were asked this question -

How can you disbelieve in God when you were lifeless and He brought you to life; then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you [back] to life, and then to Him you will be returned.

Quran : Chapter 2 verse 28

How true is this fact that if we were to look at our origin, we all could conclude that we were NOTHING. LIFELESS. Than something brought us into existence and we knew that we  were not responsible for our existence and we recognised that our CREATOR, provide us with this gift of life will definitely cause us to DIE and the truth is we will be brought back to LIFE again. 

The reality of this life and its temporary nature is simplified by God in the Quran as like the physical phenomenon of rain and the effects of rain. Rain is liquid water in the form of droplets that have condensed from atmospeheric water vapour and then precipitated—that is, become heavy enough to fall under gravity. Rain is a major component of the water cycle and is responsible for depositing most of the fresh water on the Earth. It provides suitable conditions for many types of ecosystem, as well as water for hydroelectric water plants and crop irrigation. How simple is this parable for us to understand and witness for ourselves. The temporal nature of this life likewise which give life and as time goes by again death occurred and revitalise back with the next rain droplets and the cycle continues. That is how we are suppose to understand life and death.

Set forth to them the similitude of the life of this world: It is like the rain which we send down from the skies: the earth's vegetation absorbs it, but soon it becomes dry stubble, which the winds do scatter: it is (only) Allah who prevails over all things.

Quran : Chapter  18 verse 45

Than the Quran continues to explain about all that we have around us which we take much delight. These temporal matters which we give so much focus are not the object of live as they are just adornments.

Wealth and children are an adornment of the life of this world; and the ever-abiding, the good works, are better with your Lord in reward and better in expectation.

Quran : Chapter  18 verse 46

Upon undersatnding the temporary nature of life, we are than given the reality that evrything else will perish at a point of time and we will be upgraded to another level of higher life in the hereafter.

And the day on which We will cause the mountains to pass away and you will see the earth a levelled plain and We will gather them and leave not any one of them behind.

Quran : Chapter  18 verse 47

Afterwhich in this higher life, we will face the CREATOR to be questioned for the very life He had given us -

And they shall be brought before your Lord, standing in ranks: Now certainly you have come to Us as We created you at first. Nay, you thought that We had not appointed to you a time of the fulfillment of the promise.

Quran : Chapter  18 verse 48

Within the Quran, at various places we will be exposed with verses that will guide us  to understand the true nature of our existence. More than once we were  asked to believe the existence of God who gives us this very life which is temporary in nature. As we were created, we were than persuaded to believe that we need to confirm our life to the purpose we are being created that is to be a humble servant of God. At intervals within our lives we witnessed calamities in the form of setbacks, sickness or something that came in through nature just as a reminder that we need to humble ourselves before our Lord and make God as the centre of our lives as we are helpless - Even before our times, calamities were being sent to nations as to make them humble and realised the existence of God with many of these nations visited by messengers from God among men -

And certainly We sent (messengers) to nations before you then We seized them with distress and affliction in order that they might humble themselves

Quran : Chapter  6  verse 42

The acceptance of GOD in our lives will put to rest the beating of doubts that are ever pounding in our hearts and minds as we go aimlessly living our lives of waking up, doing our chores, going to work, attending to our families and back to sleep without even pondering the very breath that we are taking is due to the fact that our  CREATOR design it in a way that would enable us to inhale the very air which we cant even see with our eyes. This acceptance of GOD, will slowly bring PEACE in our hearts as we develop this relationship with GOD and live our lives according to His design and pattern. God in His Infinite Mercy, revealed to us a BOOK, The Quran as a source of guidance so that within it, we may find guidance and answers to all our questions as we read the Book in silence and seeking for clarity of means to the aims we wish to achieve in our lives. 

God has sent down the best statement, a Book (this Quran), its parts resembling each other in goodness and truth, oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (when they recite it or hear it). Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of God. That is the guidance of God. He Guides therewith whom He pleases and whomever God sends astray, for him there is no guide.

Quran : Chapter 39 verse 23

I am inviting openly all of our brothers and sisters from all over the world, to allow GOD to be the centre of our very lives and make the remembrance of GOD as the source of peace in our hearts before comes a day where nothing will avails  us as we face our CREATOR. I warn all of you to believe in GOD and submit to His will in ISLAM as there is no salvation except through submission to God.

Those who believe in God and whose hearts are set at peace by the remembrance of God; now surely by God's remembrance are the hearts set at peace.

Quran : Chapter 13 verse 28

The Art of Living in the Way of the Quran.

As in 2011, the population of this planet reaches 7 billion. That's a very big number indeed. The question is how does 7 billion people suppose to ensure that their very lives, lived according to a pattern that will ensure peace and happiness ? Everything in this life is bound to perish. We aged. Our children gets older everyday. Our parents aged as well and they died. We heard about  friends getting deadly diseases. Our associates became rich and there are friends and relatives who are stuck in the rut. Stories in the newspapers accross the globe bring news of murders, wars , crime and many other things. Yet the question arises what is it about this life that we need to care about ? Should we centre our lives around people ? Work, money, career, children or spouses ? What kind of righteousness that we need to develop so that we are at ease and at peace as we aged ? How do we prepare for death that will eventually brings us face to face with our real destiny ? Are we seeking at the right place ? Reading the right book ? Asking the right question. Given the correct advise ? Listening to the sermon of truth ? Who is that teacher that can teach us this art of living that bring us peace and serenity in our hearts ? Do we have answers for all these questions ?

Therefore be patient with what they say, and celebrate (constantly) the praises of your Lord, before the rising of the sun, and before its setting, indeed, celebrate them for part of the hours of the night and at the sides of the day: that you may have (spiritual) joy.

Nor strain your eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to parties of them, the splendour of the life of this world, through which We test them: but the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring.

Quran : Chapter (20) verses 130-131

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1. The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things),
2. Until ye visit the graves.
3. But nay, ye soon shall know (the reality).
4. Again, ye soon shall know!
5. Nay, were ye to know with certainty of mind, (ye would beware!)
6. Ye shall certainly see Hell-Fire!
7. Again, ye shall see it with certainty of sight!
8. Then, shall ye be questioned that Day about the joy (ye indulged in!).

Quran : Chapter (102) verses 1 - 8

1. By (the Token of) Time (through the ages),
2. Verily Man is in loss,
3. Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.

Quran : Chapter (103) verses 1 - 3

Existence of Good People : A secret of the Quran.

from :http://www.quranicpath.com/quranicpath/good_people.html

Stress, distress, abuse, torture, cruelty, dishonesty, insensitiveness, and all things related experienced by and witnessed by an individual shapes the way he begins to view people in the world. It even leaves many people confused over why people behave that way.

Let us consider a few cases to illuminate further what is being said. For example, if one's best friend who he thought was so close and trustworthy all his life shows disloyalty one day, he becomes depressed, confused and becomes suspicious of everyone he comes across in life and eventually does not trust anyone. Or for instance, a woman who sees a friend leading a life under the constant abuse of her husband despite her best effort to lead a good life begins to wonder why men are so insensitive and cruel. If she notices a group of men staring at her in a perverted way, she begins to think all men are inherently of that nature and begins to treat all men in light of her bad experiences. Briefly, the negative experiences in life whether directly experienced or witnessed, can lead people to view everyone in view of their negative experiences. You can add more to the list from your personal experiences.We can extend the list of evil to the most extreme of evil deeds we see on TV and read in newspapers. Everyday, one is bombarded with cases of murder, rape, child molestation, war, bloodshed, burglary and fraud among many other highly distressing crimes.

We must keep our mind open for bad people in society who may harm us or harm others. In this article, we will make a very important observation from the Qur'an. Those who are ignorant of religion or do not take the Qur'an as a guide make a mistake when they do not keep their mind open for the possible existence of truly good people who are the complete opposite of the sorts of people we have identified so far.
 

We will explain who the truly good people are according to the Qur'an. According to the Qur’an, being truly good is not just avoiding the evil deeds we listed above. No doubt, avoiding the evil acts mentioned above are attributes which are certainly required from a believer. But being good from a Qur'anic standpoint, is to sincerely believe in the existence of Allah and working for the sake of the Hereafter by studiously avoiding all types of sins and doing righteous deeds for Allah’s sake. Only when people fear Allah can they steadfastly obey their consciences under all circumstances in both big and small matters. According to the laws of Allah, only then are their good actions counted as good in the Hereafter. People who fit this definition are the true believers. The Qur'an is the only Guide on earth that shows people how to be the truly good people. Following both the Qur'an and conscience through fear of Allah is essential to be a truly good person in Allah's sight. From this we conclude that out of all the people on earth, the truly good men and women are the true believers in Allah and His Book.

“The Believing Men and the Believing Women, they support each other and command what is right and forbid what is wrong” (Qur’an 9:71) 

In a world where we see non-ideal people all around us, the Qur'an reveals to us this momentous secret: The existence of believers, the good people on earth. The Qur'an gives mankind examples of believing people who have existed in the past, men and women, who earned the pleasure and mercy of Allah and were the flag-bearers of true goodness. The following are examples of Verses that reveal such people:

“Allah has given examples of believers: Pharaoh’s wife, who said, ‘Lord, build me a house near You in the Garden. Save me from Pharaoh and his actions; save me from the evil doers,’ and Mary, daughter of Imran. She guarded her chastity, so We breathed into her Our spirit. She accepted the truth from her Lord’s words and Scriptures: she was truly devout.” (Qur’an 66:11-12)

“They say, ‘Be Jews or Christians and you will be guided.’ Say, rather adopt the religion of Abraham, a man of natural pure belief. He was not one of the idolaters.’ (Qur’an 2:136)

One important aspect to note from the above Verse is that the believers are not associated with any single Prophet as many people assume them to be. Rather they are people of natural faith in Allah and simply follow the religion of Allah that has been existent through all time. On our planet today, believers are the people who are the reason to why Allah created human beings:

“When your Lord told the angels, ‘I am putting a Successor on earth,’ they, (the angels) said, ‘How can you put someone who will cause damage and bloodshed, when we celebrate Your praise and proclaim your holiness?’, ‘I know things you do not.’ “ (Qur’an 2:30) The secret we have identified in this article, revealed to the believer, is of great significance to him. Amid all the wrong actions people commit around him, knowing this secret of the Qur'an gives him hope that a person he meets in life may just be the kind of true believer mentioned in the Qur'an. The believers have unwavering faith, sincerity, loyalty, trustworthiness and all things good about them. However, in the world today, people who truly fear Allah with heedfulness of the Qur'an, that is, the truly good people, the believers, are very few in number. Such people are difficult to find but the Qur'an's disclosure of the existence of real believers is a comfort to the true believer. Unlike those who are ignorant, he knows that the reason why there are people who commit evil and unconscientious deeds in the world is because they do not truly believe in Allah and the Hereafter. He knows that they are the people who are preparing for themselves the Fire of Hell. A misguided person who cannot comprehend the existence of good people, is prone to developing the following personality:

• Treating everyone in a semi-harsh or not completely polite manner as he has to be on the defensive against everyone who in his own mind, are out to take advantage of him.

• He becomes incapable of knowing the true believers because he himself is not one. He does not derive any comfort from being with true believers nor enjoy their security and warmth.

• Failure to see honesty in people for the good deeds done for him, because he thinks people only serve their own interests. Believers are the opposite, they are self sacrificing, but he does not know them. He is therefore generally never truly grateful for favours done for him by anyone.

The examples of existence of true believers in the Qur'an also gives the true believer the enthusiasm that he could be different from everyone around him, and be the kind of person who earns Allah's good pleasure and Paradise in the Hereafter.

In conclusion, despite constantly encountering people committing sins of all types everywhere, the true believer is the one who does not loose hope for the existence of true believers, the truly good people. Unlike the ignorant kind of people, he does not rashly view everyone in light of his negative experiences of other people but acts appropriately with an open-mind when meeting people to objectively establish their position in respect to the Qur'an and mindfulness of Allah. This is quite unlike the ignorant sorts of people who become lost, confused and depressed seeing evil-doers around them, and knowingly or unknowingly carelessly view everyone in light of their negative experiences. That is why the believer values people for what they are truly worth, which is based on their nearness to Allah and adherence to the teachings of the Qur’an.

"Those who were already firmly established in their homes and firmly rooted in faith, show love for those who migrated to them for refuge and harbour no desire in their hearts for what has been given to them. They give them preference over themselves, even if they too are poor. It is those who are saved from the greed of their own souls who are successful." (Qur'an 59:9)

God and Believer(s) !

Majority of people on earth simply lead their lives in the flow of day to day occurrences of events. Having no awareness of God, their decisions and responses to these occurrences are not always that which will please God. However, this does not bother them. Primarily, they are motivated in life by their own interests. All humans will find themselves now and again, in a situation where there is a decision they have to make; there will be a narrow margin between the best response that would be most pleasing to God and a response which is easier to carry out, but not the best one in God's sight. A believer who truly fears God and hopes to attain Paradise will have the will-power to obey what his conscience tells him to do, and thus take up the best response for God’s sake. God is constantly watching all people, both believers and disbelievers and He is testing them to see whether they take the best response or not.
 

"It is He Who created life and death to test you to reveal which of you will do better works" (Qur’an 67:2)
 

The above verse reveals an important purpose in the creation of man. Believers are those who always strive to do the best deed primarily out of love and fear of God. In many verses, God commands believers to do good deeds.

“Believers, bow down, prostrate yourselves, worship your Lord and do good deeds so that you may succeed.” (Qur’an 22:77)

“What is with you runs out but what is with God goes on forever. Those who were steadfast will be recompensed according to the best of what they did. Anyone who acts rightly, male or female, being a believer, We will give them a good life and We will recompense them according to the best of what they did.” (Qur’an 16:96-97)

Three things inevitably demand the attention of every believer under all circumstances. 

1. A COMMANDMENT TO BE OBEYED.

2. A PROHIBITION TO BE RESPECTED.

3. A DIVINE DECREE TO BE ACCEPTED WITH GOOD GRACE (TAKDIR AND TRIALS)

In even the most trivial situation, at least one of the three is bound to apply. The believer must therefore keep his mind and feelings focused upon them, talk to himself about them, and practice the physical self-discipline they require of him at all times.

http://www.quranicpath.com

USA will be a Muslim Nation soon !

MUSLIMS IN AMERICA

There are between 6 and 7 million Muslims in America today. In other words, Muslims outnumber some Christian denominations and are equal to the number of Jews. Research done in the year 2000 by prominent American universities and Islamic foundations show that the number of Muslims is increasing rapidly and that Islam is growing stronger day by day.

The above graphic representation shows the rising numbers of mosques in America.

The main theme of this research, known as the Mosque Study Project, is the establishment of mosques in America. The reason for this is that mosques occupy a very special place in any statistical compilations done with regard to the American Muslim community. Mosques in America are both houses of worship and gathering places for talking with one another and launching cultural activities to make Islam more widely known. Every mosque establishes a relationship with the press to introduce Islam to a wider audience, speaks with local politicians, visits schools and churches, engages in interfaith dialogue and carries on other such activities. Thus, research done on these mosques is one of the most useful tools for gathering accurate and enlightening information on this community's state.

According to this research, America now has about 1,209 mosques, most of which were constructed very recently. Thirty percent of these mosques were built in the 1990s, and 32% were built in the 1980s. Other statistics show that in 1994, the total number of mosques in America was 962; in 2000, there was a 25% increase in this number.

These data show a natural parallel with the growing number of Muslims. For example, according to determinations made in 1994, the number of Muslims attending mosque services was 500,000; in 2000, this figure had increased to 2 million-an approximately 300% increase. A significant part of this number is composed of people who converted to Islam. The same research shows that about 30% of those worshippers are converts. According to these data, about 20,000 Americans accept Islam every year.44

The above figures are the result of research done before 9/11 and rely on data from the year 2000. In 2001, especially after 9/11, these figures have increased several fold.

Above we see pictures of mosques in various states.

This rapid growth of Islam in America is related in a news article, "Islam Is Growing in America," on the American army Internet site (www.defenselink.mil)

Muslims, those who believe in Islam, are everywhere in the United States. They may be your doctor or drive your taxi. They may serve you in restaurants or advise you in law. And they increasingly may be in the same foxhole, manning the same position or working on the same aircraft as you … In the United States, Islam is the fastest growing religion …45

An important indication of Islam's rapid growth in America is the increasing number of schools offering an Islamic education. A New York Times report on New York's Islamic schools tells of the students' intense interest. (Right) San Diego's Muslims, as well as many others in America, were faced with a barrage of questions after 9/11. This appeared in a report entitled "Muslims bridge religious gaps by teaching more about faith."

(Above) A report on the Worldnet Daily Internet site states that after 9/11, students joined special educational programs to learn more about Islam. They were required to memorize Qur'anic verses and study Islamic history. (Middle) A report in The Oregonian, entitled "New Focus: Exploring Islam and Its Traditions," gives general information about American Muslims and Islam. (Below) In the above edition of the New York Times, a report entitled "Ramadan Enters New York City School Life" tells about the special Ramadan arrangements made in New York district schools for Muslim students.

A New York Times article, "Islam Attracts Converts by the Thousands," contains interviews with converts, analyzes Islam's rapid rise in America, and states:

With some 6 million adherents in the United States, Islam is said to be the nation's fastest-growing religion, fueled by immigration, high birth rates and widespread conversion. One expert estimates that 25,000 people a year become Muslims in this country; some clerics say they have seen conversion rates quadruple since Sept. 11.46

An ABC News segment, "Islam: Rising Tide in America," reported that some sociologists predict that within 15 years there will be more Muslims than Jews in America.47

First chart we see the ethnic distribution of American Muslims. The great majority of America's Muslim population is South-Central Asian.Second chart on the right shows the rising mosque attendance rates by American Muslims. There has been a 77% increase. The fact sheet below, prepared by the U.S. Department of State, includes the main figures about Muslim life in America.

The continually rising influence of Islam has provided better opportunities for Muslims living in America. One place where this growth and development is most noticeable is in Dearborn, Michigan. An article in the Detroit News about the spread of Islam, particularly in Dearborn, mentioned the city's growing number of mosques. But, according to the article, this is not the only sign of Islam's rising influence; the effects of this growth can be seen in restaurants, shopping centers, and hospitals. For the first time in Michigan, in a McDonald's restaurant, meals are available using meat cut according to Islamic law. Prominent supermarkets in Dearborn have begun to sell "halal" meat. Oakwood Hospital officials have started to adjust the hospital's meal service especially for Muslim patients. Moreover, throughout the month of Ramadan, the cafeteria's service hours are arranged to suit Muslims.48

Like Dearborn, Muslims in Chicago are also quickly gaining influence. Here, the Muslim community is distinguished by its high level of education and prosperity. Research conducted in the 1990s demonstrated that 16% of the Muslim community's members were medical doctors, 33% were engineers, 44% had doctorate degrees, 84% had at least a bachelor's degree, and only 2% had less than a high school education. Moreover, Muslims' contributions to Chicago were highlighted. For example, the architect of the John Hancock Center and the Sears Tower was a Muslim: Dr. Fazlur Rahman. There is hardly a hospital without a Muslim doctor on its staff and there is hardly an engineering or electronic equipment manufacturer without Muslim engineers.49

(Above) A Florida Times report, "Finding Faith in Islam," tells about the converts' thoughts and ideas. A Seattle Times article entitled "Mosque overflows with faithful" reports that Seattle Muslims are crowding into their mosques. (Below) A report on the American Ministry of Defense's Internet site, entitled "Islam Growing in America," gives an account of the Muslims' increasing influence in American social life and introduces basic Islamic values.