Basic Facts of Basic Facts of IslamIslam

Islam is the Islam is the thirdthird in succession in successionof the three great monotheisticof the three great monotheisticfaiths born in the Middle East (Judaism, faiths born in the Middle East (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)Christianity, Islam)

Islam is the Islam is the secondsecond largest religion in world largest religion in world (1.2 billion adherents)(1.2 billion adherents)

There is an estimated 650 000 Muslims living There is an estimated 650 000 Muslims living in in CanadaCanada

Islam is the Islam is the fastestfastest growing religion in the growing religion in the worldworld

Islam TermsIslam Terms Islam: Islam: an Arabic word that means an Arabic word that means

“submitting to God” and “peace”“submitting to God” and “peace” Muslim: Muslim: a person who follows the teachings a person who follows the teachings

of Islam and “submits to God and finds peace of Islam and “submits to God and finds peace in Him”. All creation is Muslim.in Him”. All creation is Muslim.

Shahadah:Shahadah: “ “There is no god but God and There is no god but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of GodMuhammad is the Messenger of God”.”.

Allah:Allah: Arabic name for God. It is preferred Arabic name for God. It is preferred over other names because it has no gender over other names because it has no gender affiliation and does not have pluralityaffiliation and does not have plurality

Understanding IslamUnderstanding Islam Islam is a Islam is a rationalrational religion: religion:

“The vilest of creatures are those “The vilest of creatures are those who choose to be deaf and dumb who choose to be deaf and dumb and do not use their reason.” and do not use their reason.” (Qur’an 8:2)(Qur’an 8:2)

Muhammad reminded his Muhammad reminded his followers that “The first thing God followers that “The first thing God created was reason”. Therefore, created was reason”. Therefore, believers must take believers must take personal personal responsibilityresponsibility for one’s actions for one’s actions and faith.and faith.

Freedom of ConscienceFreedom of Conscience

““There is no compulsion in religion. Truth There is no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clearly from falsehood; whoever stands out clearly from falsehood; whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the strongest rope that never breaks. And the strongest rope that never breaks. And God is All Hearing and All Knowing”God is All Hearing and All Knowing”

Qur’an 2:256Qur’an 2:256

BeliefsBeliefs

1. 1. Belief in only One GodBelief in only One God. He is defined as . He is defined as Eternal, Absolute, Infinite, Compassionate and Eternal, Absolute, Infinite, Compassionate and Merciful, the sole Creator and Provider. Merciful, the sole Creator and Provider.

2. 2. Engage only in Righteous ActionsEngage only in Righteous Actions in all areas: in all areas: spiritual, intellectual and physical activity.spiritual, intellectual and physical activity.

3. 3. All God’s creation is “Muslim”.All God’s creation is “Muslim”. Only humans Only humans are given CHOICE to submit (be Muslim) or are given CHOICE to submit (be Muslim) or reject submission to God’s will.reject submission to God’s will.

4. All children are born without sin and are Muslim. As they grow older, they make their religious CHOICE.

5. God created human beings with a body and soul. The body is a temporal host for this life, whereas the soul is eternal. It is the soul that will survive beyond death.

6. Universality of the call. All Muslims are brothers and equals without any distinction of class, race or tongue. Superiority is only based on the greater fear of God and greater piety.

PracticesPractices

PrayerPrayer worshippers line up in rows and worshippers line up in rows and

enact ritual in unison (prostration)enact ritual in unison (prostration) Friday midday prayers at mosqueFriday midday prayers at mosque(period of spiritual and moral renewal)(period of spiritual and moral renewal)

FastingFasting month of Ramadan (ninth month of lunar month of Ramadan (ninth month of lunar

year) to test the spirit, discipline the will year) to test the spirit, discipline the will and remind of the hungry and poor and remind of the hungry and poor

Numerous important events took place Numerous important events took place during Ramadan (first revelation in 610 CE, during Ramadan (first revelation in 610 CE, flight to Mecca in 622 CE, victory in 624 CEflight to Mecca in 622 CE, victory in 624 CE

Ramadan ends with Eid al-FitrRamadan ends with Eid al-Fitr

MosqueMosque Muslim place of worship Muslims come together Muslim place of worship Muslims come together

in a mosque for prayers at midday on Friday in a mosque for prayers at midday on Friday (Muslim Holy Day)(Muslim Holy Day)

MIHRABMIHRAB= small arch or hole in wall indicates the = small arch or hole in wall indicates the direction of the Ka’bah in Meccadirection of the Ka’bah in Mecca

MINARETMINARET= high tower or dome from which a = high tower or dome from which a muezzin calls the faithful to prayermuezzin calls the faithful to prayer

WUDUWUDU= cleansing process before prayer (water)= cleansing process before prayer (water)

IMAMIMAM= chief officer in the mosque who leads = chief officer in the mosque who leads prayersprayers

PROPHET’S MOSQUE in Madinah: the first mosque in Islam

Qur’anQur’an

Holy book of Islam which means “Holy book of Islam which means “recitationrecitation”” Records the revealed word of God that came Records the revealed word of God that came

through Angel Gabriel to Muhammad over 23 yearsthrough Angel Gabriel to Muhammad over 23 years Muhammad dictated revelations to scribes and Muhammad dictated revelations to scribes and

companions who companions who memorizedmemorized passages passages

It is the only revealed book that has It is the only revealed book that has remained remained intact and unchangedintact and unchanged since its revelation (oral since its revelation (oral tradition)tradition)

Principle source of Muslim faith and practicePrinciple source of Muslim faith and practice Children learn to Children learn to memorizememorize the Qur’an as a the Qur’an as a

childchild

Divided into 114 Divided into 114 surassuras (chapters); longest (chapters); longest chapter has 286 verses, the shortest has 3 chapter has 286 verses, the shortest has 3 verses; approximately 78 000 words in lengthverses; approximately 78 000 words in length

Ka’bahKa’bah Ka’bahKa’bah- cube shaped building that - cube shaped building that

was built by Abraham to honour was built by Abraham to honour God God

Viewed as Adam’s original place of Viewed as Adam’s original place of worshipworship

Was filled with idols as people in Was filled with idols as people in Arabia followed polytheismArabia followed polytheism

Muhammad- received revelations Muhammad- received revelations that led to Islam and monotheism that led to Islam and monotheism (and removal of idols)(and removal of idols)

Site of Site of hajjhajj- pilgrimage to Mecca- pilgrimage to Mecca

MuhammadMuhammad

SEAL of the Prophets (last in a line of 28SEAL of the Prophets (last in a line of 28Prophets who all preached the religion of Prophets who all preached the religion of Islam)Islam)

Born in 570 CEBorn in 570 CE Each succeeding Prophet added or improved Each succeeding Prophet added or improved

upon the cumulative message of Islamupon the cumulative message of Islam

Through Muhammand (PBUH), the message Through Muhammand (PBUH), the message of Islam was completed and is preserved of Islam was completed and is preserved intact in the Qur’anintact in the Qur’an

In 622 CE, hijrah (migration) where In 622 CE, hijrah (migration) where Muhammad moved from Mecca to Madinah Muhammad moved from Mecca to Madinah (marks the beginning of the Muslim (marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar)calendar)

Islam spread to Arabia, Spain and as far East Islam spread to Arabia, Spain and as far East as Chinaas China

Day of Day of JudgmentJudgment

All humans will be bodily All humans will be bodily resurrected and assembled resurrected and assembled for final accounting of deedsfor final accounting of deeds

Soul will move on to afterlifeSoul will move on to afterlife Upon the Upon the Final JudgmentFinal Judgment = world will end and = world will end and

we will stand before God to confront our own we will stand before God to confront our own life and actionslife and actions

Desire for purified soul= Desire for purified soul= heavenheaven (eternal (eternal abode of beauty and majesty)abode of beauty and majesty)

Disbelievers and unpure soul= Disbelievers and unpure soul= hellhell (abode of (abode of great torment and anguish)great torment and anguish)

JihadJihad

Jihad does not mean “holy war”Jihad does not mean “holy war” Literally, jihad means to Literally, jihad means to strive, struggle strive, struggle

and exert effort.and exert effort.

Concept includes struggle against evil Concept includes struggle against evil inclinations within oneself, struggle to inclinations within oneself, struggle to improve quality of life in society, struggle in improve quality of life in society, struggle in the battlefield for self defense or fighting the battlefield for self defense or fighting against tyranny or oppressionagainst tyranny or oppression

There is no such thing as “holy war” in There is no such thing as “holy war” in Islam, but it is the frequent repetition in the Islam, but it is the frequent repetition in the West that many people accept it as if it were West that many people accept it as if it were a fact.a fact.

Islam: Controversial Islam: Controversial IssuesIssues

PolygamyPolygamy Jihad vs. Holy WarJihad vs. Holy War Hijab : liberation or suppressionHijab : liberation or suppression Muhammad Cartoons: freedom of speech vs Muhammad Cartoons: freedom of speech vs

freedom of religionfreedom of religion Appeal of Suicide BombersAppeal of Suicide Bombers Afghanistan's TalibanAfghanistan's Taliban War on IslamWar on Islam