Meeting Info
Tuesday 7:00pm
Building 21 - 314

Quick Links
Juma'a

Quick Notes
- MSA Hikes Bishop! May 18 at 5:00PM

Mission Statement:

The Cal Poly Muslim Students Association (MSA) is a club that strives to educate people about Islam and Muslims, while at the same time further our own knowledge. The MSA also serves to unite the Muslim student community through a series of cultural, educational, and social activities.

What is Islam?

The word Islam comes from an Arabic root word meaning "peace" and "submission." Islam teaches that one can only find true peace inlife by submitting to almightly God (Allah) in heart, soul, and action. The same Arabic root word also gives us "Assalamu Alaikum, " ("Peace be with you"), the universal Islamic greeting.

Islam is the second largest, and fastest growing religion in the world. Muslims, the followers of Islam, take their religion as a way of life. There are over 1 billion Muslims worldwide (compromising 1/5 of the world's population). It is one of the monotheistic faiths, along with Judaism and Christianity. Muslims are found all over the world, of every nation, color and race. Although usually associated with the Arabs of the Middle East, less than 10% of Muslims are in fact Arab. The largest population of Muslims is actually found in Indonesia. Muslim majorities are found throughout North Africa, East Asia and the Pacific Islands. Large numbers are also found in Western Europe, the former Soviet Union, and North America.

Muslims believe that Islam is the same religion that God revealed through his Messengers (peace be upon them) to all people. they consider it to be a complete religion, providing guidelines for family life, business, public relations, as well as more detailed aspects of life. Muslims are commanded to live in accordance with God's laws. By doing so, they strive to obtain nearness to God and victory over temporary trials and temptations in this world. The seven basic aspects to a Muslim's beliefs are what they call the seven articles of faith. They are:

                             1. Belief in one God (Allah)
                             2. Belief in Angels
                             3. Belief in all of his prophets.
                             4. Belief in the books handed down to prophets.
                             5. Belief in the Day of Judgment.
                             6. Belief in the Divine Decree or Destiny.
                             7. Belief in life after death.

Along with all of the prophets such as Abraham, Noah, Moses, Jesus, and others, Muslims also believe in another prophet named Muhammad (peace be upon them all), who is a direct descendant of Abraham through his first born son, Ishmael. Muhammad's prophethood is prophesied in the Bible in several places, including Deut. 18:18 and John 14:16. Muslims believe that Muhammad was the last Messenger and the crowning glory of the foundation of prophethood. However, Muhammad is not considered, along with any other prophet, to be the son of God.

Muslims believe in all original scriptures and revelations of Allah (SWT), accepting them as the guiding light that the Messengers received to show their respective people the right path to Him. However, some of these books and revelations had been lost or corrupted before the revelation of the Qur'an. Muslim's believe that the only authentic and complete book of Allah (SWT) in existence today is the Qur'an, which has been preserved as it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel in its original, pure form.

Although no brief introduction can do justice to explain any religion completely, we hope that this has provided some background information on Islam. If you have any further questions, or are interested in gaining more general knowledge on Islam, come to an MSA meeting, or contact us.