People interested in the teachings of Islam sometimes find that the religion and lifestyle resonate in a way that makes them consider converting to the faith in a formal way.
The most fundamental belief that a Muslim has is that "There is only One God," the Creator, the Sustainer -- known in the Arabic language and by Muslims as Allah. Allah is not a foreign god, nor is he an idol. Arabic-speaking Christians use the same word for the Almighty.
When writing the name of the Prophet Muhammad, Muslims often follow it with the abbreviation "SAWS." These letters stand for the Arabic words "sallallahu alayhi wa salaam" (may God's prayers and peace be with him).
Some Muslims believe there are 99 such names for God, based on one statement of the Prophet Muhammad. However, the published lists of names are not consistent; some names appear on some lists but not on others. There is not a single agreed-upon list that includes only 99 names, and many scholars feel that such a list was never explicitly given by the Prophet Muhammad.
Ramadan not only teaches us perseverance but has numerous benefits for our spiritual being. Why is it that Ramadan seems to have such a profound impact on our spirituality, particularly given the physical hardships that it entails? The most distinct feature of Ramadan is that it requires able Muslims to fast the entire month.