Introduction of Islam in the Philippines

Introduction of  Islam in the Philippines was brought about by four great Islamite paladins:

- Karim-al Makhdum, a noted Arab judge and scholar who arrived in Jolo around 1380 A.D.; 

- Rajah Baginda, a prince of Menangkabau (Sumatra), who landed in Sulu in 1390 and carried Makhdum’s work;

- Sayyid Abu Bakr, also known as Sahrif ul-Hashim, who reached Jolo around 1450 A.D. and became its first sultan; and

- Sarip Kabungsuwan of Jahore, who landed in Mindanao in 1475 and became the first sultan of the island.

Muslims in the Philippines advocate equal rights for all.  In 1983, Muslims amounted to 4.3 percent of the total Philippine population.

Believers of Islam have two main sources of their faith:

- The Qur’an is regarded as the uncreated eternal Word of God and the primary source of all Islamic law and dogma, while the

- Sunnah is regarded as the tradition of the Prophet.

Muslims also have five primary duties known as the Five Pillars: These are:

(1) The Profession of Faith (Shahada);

(2) The Five Times Daily Prayer (Salat)

(3) Official Alms-giving (Zakat);

(4) Fasting during the day in the month of Ramadhan (Saum); and

(5) The Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in the life of a Muslim.  These are also additional holy days celebrated and pilgrimages made to shrines.

The values and ways of life of Muslims are traditional.  They devote so much time to the preservation of their cultural and religious identity.  Sunnah is the norm for a true Muslim’s behavior, a source for the Law and  for the conduct of the muslim community.  Only under very strict circumstances does Islam permit polygyny and divorce.

Islam is strictly monotheistic.  Muslims believe that Allah is the only God who is the creator of the universe and the master of all goodness.  The Qur’an is God-given to Mohammed to guide men to the truth.  God raises men after death and brings them back to Himself on the last day to be judged.  The judgement is based on their conduct in their lives.

Source:

The Important Days inIslam and Relations Between Muslims and Non-Muslims by Iljas Ismail.