Islam

Submission to the One God

The Islamic World

Islam Overview meaning “surrender” or “submission” Muslim, meaning “one who submits” Over 1 billion adherents World’s 2nd largest religion World’s fastest growing religion Deeply rooted in biblical traditions –

acknowledges Jesus as well as other Old Testament prophets.

Islam is widely misunderstood by the Western world

Islam: basic elements1. The Qur’an Earthly center of Islam Role of the Qur’an can be

compared to that of Jesus for Christians

Source of fundamental teachings Written in Arabic (one version)

Direct word of Allah revealed to the prophet Muhammad and written down in the present form

Lost in translation: a) poetry b) subtle meanings conveyed visually through the Arabic script

Islam: basic elements2. The Prophet Muhammad Muhammad celebrated as the

most perfect of all human beings like a “jewel among stones” He had worldly success and was

a religious genius Born 570 C.E. into the leading

tribe of Mecca Orphaned at an early age, he was

raised by his uncle. Worked as a shepherd and later in the trading business, as a caravan manager for a wealthy widow (Khadija), 15 yrs his senior– who he would later marry

Long happy marriage, 6 children

Islam: basic elements2. The Prophet Muhammad continued Religious climate –

polytheistic - pagan Muhammad would retreat to

a cave on nearby Mount Hira to contemplate religion

While in this cave he was visited by the Arch-angel Gabriel who commanded him to “recite”. Muhammad protested that he was not capable – eventually asked in desperation “What shall I recite?”

Islam: basic elements2. The Prophet Muhammad continued Gabriel answered: “Recite

the name of your Lord who created – created man from clots of blood. Recite! Your Lord is the Most Bountiful One, who by the pen taught man what he did not know” (Qur’an 96:1-4)

Event occurred in 610 C.E. - Night of Power and Excellence

Muhammad received more revelations over the next 22 years until his death in 632 C.E.

Islam: basic elements2. The Prophet Muhammad continued Muhammad's teachings were met with

opposition:1) Defied the polytheism of the time2) Taught of social and economic justice

which flew in the face of many Meccans, who were not ready to give up their corrupt ways

Faced with hostility, Muhammad and his followers migrated to Yathrib (Medina) in 622C.E – event known as the Hijra “emigration”

Muslim base their system of dating on the Hijra – A.H (after Hijra)

8 years later, after battles, Muhammad returned in triumph to Mecca – most of Arabia had converted to Islam

Islam: basic elements2. The Prophet Muhammad continuedSeal of the Prophets Muhammad is the final prophet, revealing

the will of Allah fully and precisely Earlier prophets: Abraham, Moses, and

Jesus, also revealed God’s will, but only partially. There is no need for God to send another

To Christians, Jesus is the “sacred presence”, to Muslims, the Qur’an is the “sacred presence” Muhammad is the deliverer of this “sacred presence”

Muslims regard Jesus as one of two human to have been conceived by God.

Muhammad is the best of all humans – his actions and teachings together with the teachings of the Qur’an make the Sunnah

Islam: basic elements2. The Prophet Muhammad continued Muslims attempt to imitate

Muhammad’s earthly experiences

Ascension to Heaven – Muslims believe Muhammad was miraculously transported from Mecca to Jerusalem. From there he ascended with the archangel Gabriel through the seven heavens. He saw Moses, Abraham, and Jesus, and was then in the very presence of Allah

The Ascension is one of two miracles involving Muhammad (the other is the production of the Qur’an

Islam: basic elements3. Islam’s Central Teachings Ultimately based on the Qur’an and, secondly on the Sunnah of

the Prophet Muhammad Muslim theologian disagreements during the first 2 centuries

explains Islam’s diversity – dependant on location (Islam in Saudi Arabia tends to be more conservative that of Egypt) however all agree on the following:

1. Allah: The One God. Initially regarded as a special deity – Islam changed this decisively, for monotheism

Allah is transcendent and suprapersonal while also is immanent and personal. Therefore Muslims avoid assigning a gender to Allah and artistic representations depicting human characteristics. Rather Allah has been given 99 names – serve to provide Muslims with a variety of descriptive expressions

Islam: basic elements3. Islam’s Central Teachings2. The Prophets: Messengers of Allah: Divine will is provide through the prophets Thousands of prophets have existed, only

an elite few have changed the nature humankind’s relationship with Allah

Adam – first man Abraham – father of the Arab people and

Israelites Ishmael – Abraham’s son – moved to

Mecca Moses – Allah’s ethical laws in the from of

the 10 Commandments Jesus – Golden Rule “Do onto others as

our would have them do unto you” Muhammad – Seal of the Prophets

Brief Lineage of Islamic Prophets

Adam

Noah

Abraham

IsaacIshmael

Jesus

Solomon

Daniel

Muhammad

Islam: basic elements3. Islam’s Central Teachings3. Human Nature and Destiny Human nature is good, but people

forget this. (When Adam and Eve as the forbidden apple they caused a state of forgetfulness to come upon them)

When people forget their goodness, their passions can lead them to sin

Human destiny is dependant on the outcome of this struggle for goodness

Reward: Paradise for the righteous, Hell for the evildoers

Day of Judgment

Sequence of Events

1st Coming of the Mahdi – savior figure similar to Judaism’s Messiah – will restore Islam and bring order to Earth

2nd Jesus will return to Jerusalem and usher in the Day of Judgment

3rd Day of Judgment – when all humans stand before Allah, and the destiny of each will be made known

“It is the day when every soul will stand alone and God will reign supreme”

Qur’an 82

Islam: basic elements3. Islam’s Central Teachings4. The Nature of the

World The natural world,

being a creation of Allah, is good and worthy of reverence

Science is a means of knowing more about Allah’s perfect creation

Islam: basic elements4. The Community of Muslims Umma – community of all

Muslims. Transcends the boundaries of race, ethnicity and language

Brotherhood and sisterhood based solely on religion

Community united through Shari’ah or divine law – drawn from the Qur’an and the Sunnah.

Shari’ah divides actions into 5 categories: obligatory, recommended, indifferent, disapproved, and forbidden

Shari’ah law originally intended to be applied both religiously and politically

Modern time, Shari’ah law is the basis of government including Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Pakistan

Practices and Social TeachingsThe Five Pillars – basic framework for life1. Confession of Faith Shahada “There is no god

except God. Muhammad is the messenger of God”

To be stated freely and with conviction – officially makes a person a Muslim

2. Prayer Pray 5 times: Ritual washing of hands and

face Prostrations in the direction

of Mecca Usually Using

a prayer rug Friday prayers

usually held in a mosque and led by an imam

Practices and Social TeachingsThe Five Pillars – basic framework for life3. Fasting Fast during the month of

Ramadan (dawn until sunset) Avoid eating, drinking,

smoking, and engaging in sex.

Exemptions: If you are sick, making a difficult journey, menstruating, pregnant or breastfeeding

Done to gain insight into the situation of people who are less fortunate, fosters awareness of mortality, helps focus attention on moral and religious concerns, and health

4. Wealth Sharing Helps ensure the economic

welfare of the entire Muslim community

Required to contribute 2 ½ % of the value of their possessions to the public treasury

Poor people are exempt Wealth spent on matters of

public concern – ie education, cultural institutions

In addition, act of charity should be performed regularly

Practices and Social TeachingsThe Five Pillars – basic framework for life5. Pilgrimage Once in life (if they can afford and

are physically able to) all Muslims are to journey to Mecca – the Hajj

Allah forgives the sins of all those who make the journey with reverence

Those who die on their journey to Mecca become a martyr and enter paradise

Pilgrimage captures of communal ideal of Umma – Muslims gather in Mecca to celebrate their religion regardless of worldly differences

Male pilgrims wear white – symbolize purity and equality. Females wear simple clothing typical of their homeland

Pilgrim takes place during a specific month, lasting at least 15 days

Rituals include circling the Ka’ba Ka’ba – stone cubic structure

believed to have been built by Abraham

Located in the courtyard of the great Mosque