IslamIslam

A Quick WordA Quick Word I will not teach community biases and prejudices towards

Islam. This unit is about what Muslims believe, not what media

pundits believe, many of whom are not Muslim. The best source of information for Islam is the Qur’an, just as

the best source of information for Christianity is the Bible. Like any religion, you have Muslims that practice their

religion devoutly, and you have Muslims that don’t. Like any religion, you have sects of Muslims who disagree

with how their religion is practiced or what their scriptures mean.

Abrahamic ReligionsAbrahamic Religions Judaism (approx. 1800 B.C.) Christianity (1st Century A.D.) Islam (7th Century A.D.)

Christianity began as a “sect” religion or “break off” from Judaism. Muslims believe that Islam has existed from the time of Adam, but was forgotten and distorted. It was restored to its full name and glory during the time of Muhammad.

Myth #1: Muslims Don’t Myth #1: Muslims Don’t Believe in Jesus ChristBelieve in Jesus Christ

This is both False and True. It depends on what you mean by “believe” in Jesus Christ.

Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet of God, but they don’t believe he was a son of God.

Jews believe that Christ was neither a prophet of God or son of God.

What Do Muslims Believe?What Do Muslims Believe?

Islam is the faith of all God’s prophets from Adam onward…

They see the creation of a distinct religion in the 7th Century A.D. as the final form of religion.

They believe the Qur’an is the literal word of God.

They believe that Muhammad is the last in a long line of prophets.

What Islam means:What Islam means:

S- L- M in Arabic means peaceful, to submit, to surrender.

ISLAM then means to submit. MUSLIM means one who submits. Islam has also been said to mean Peace. Like Hebrew, Arabic is a tri-consonant

language.

Islam vs. MuslimIslam vs. Muslim

Islam is the name of the religion.A Muslim is someone who practices

Islam.Christians practice ChristianityJews practice Judaism

Myth #2: Most Muslims are Myth #2: Most Muslims are ArabsArabs

Most Muslims live outside of the Middle East. The people who live on the Arabian Peninsula are typically referred to as “Arabs.” You can have Arab Christians and Arab Jews in addition to Arab Muslims.

The Arabian Peninsula is where Islam was founded, giving rise to the myth.

Islam is a conversion religion.

World MuslimsWorld Muslims

• 1.5 billion, Muslims represent between 25% of the world's population.

• One of every four persons in the world is a Muslim

• Second largest religion in the world

World Distribution of MuslimsAfrica 432,660,000 28.8%

Asia 1,005,000,000 66.8%

Europe 50,900,000 3.4%

Latin America 8,266,000 0.5%

North America 6,530,000 0.3%

World 1,503,956,000 100%

Oceania 600,000 .01%

Source: www.islamicpopulation.com 2006

American MuslimsAmerican Muslims

6-7 millionAbout 60% African-AmericanAFJH has had Muslim students and

may have Muslim students today.

Mosques in the U.S.Mosques in the U.S.

Mosques in UtahMosques in Utah

Mosques in UtahMosques in Utah

American MuslimsAmerican Muslims

Ice Cube

American MuslimsAmerican Muslims

Dr. Oz

Rep. Keith Ellison

Malcolm X

The Five Pillars of IslamThe Five Pillars of Islam

The Five Pillars of IslamThe Five Pillars of Islam

The Basics of FaithThe Basics of Faith

Belief in One God (Allah)Belief in ProphethoodAll the Divine Books as revealed by God to

various prophetsAngels, Jinns(Demons), Life after Death

and the Day of Judgment, Heaven and Hell

Allah – the One GodAllah – the One God

Allah is the Arabic name for God used by Muslims of the world as well as Arab Christians.

Say: He is God, the One and Only;  God, the Eternal, Absolute;  He begets not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him. (The Quran, Chapter 112)

Allah: name in the BibleAllah: name in the Bible

"ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI? which is, being interpreted, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34).

Elohim =Eloh +im (plural), translated to Allah in the Arabic Bible.

Prophets and ScripturesProphets and Scriptures SOME PROPHETS: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael,

Ishaq, Jacob (Israel), Joseph, Benjamin, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Zakareya, John, Jesus, Muhammad (peace be on them)

DIVINE BOOKS: Torah, Zabur (Psalms), Injeel (Gospel), Quran

Belief in ALL prophets of God Source of All Books is God Main Message of all Prophets: Islam

Prophet MuhammadProphet MuhammadDescendant of Ishmael, the first son of Abraham.Born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in the year 570 C.E. Was orphaned at an early age.The last and greatest Prophet of Islam.

MuhammadMuhammad’’s Visions VisionFasted for 30 days in the wilderness.Received first revelation at the age 40 through

angel Gabriel. Memorized the teachings of Allah.Died in the year 632 C.E, after preaching Islam for

23 years.

Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali

When men convert to Islam, they change their name. Taking on the name of Muhammad is a great

responsibility.

Map of Islamic Holy CitiesMap of Islamic Holy Cities

MakkahMakkah

The KaabaThe Kaaba

Madina (Medina)Madina (Medina)

Quran: The Holy BookQuran: The Holy Book Original intact as given by the

Prophet in Arabic 23 Years of Revelations (610 -

632 C.E.) 114 Chapters; One Chapter,

Multiple Revelations Chapter (Surah) names Historic Context matters Commentary needed in the

light of Arabic, History, and Sunnah

Sunnah and HadithSunnah and HadithApprovals, disapprovals of the ProphetCompiled in separate books, known as

Hadith books, after the death of the ProphetClassified from authentic to false.

Worship and Worship and ObedienceObedience

Prayers (Salah)Charity (Zakat)Fasting ( Ramadan)Pilgrimage (Hajj)Any act done according to Quran and Sunnah to

please God

Prayers (Salah)Prayers (Salah)

Five Daily Prayers from Dawn to Late Evening regulate a Muslim’s day

Prayers involve ablution, standing, bowing, prostrating, sitting postures

Face Kabaa, prayers in Arabic as taught by the Prophet.

Additional Prayers optional

Prayers (Salah)Prayers (Salah)

Charity (Zakat)Charity (Zakat) 024.056 So establish regular Prayer and give

regular Charity; and obey the Apostle; that ye may receive mercy. (The Quran)

Required 2.5% charity on yearly savings A Muslim must be a charitable person Removing a stone from the road is charity Greeting with a smile is a charity

Hajj (Pilgrimage)Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Pilgrimage to Makkah once in life time for able Muslims

About 2-3 million Muslims perform Hajj each year from all over the world.

Eidul-Adha: the biggest Muslim Holiday

Hajj (Pilgrimage)Hajj (Pilgrimage)

FastingFasting002.183 O ye who believe! Fasting is

prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint. (The Quran)

Ramadan is 9th month in Islamic Lunar calendarDaily dawn to sunset fast for 29/30 days (no

food or drink)Eidul-Fitr Holiday at the end

Ending the daily FastEnding the daily Fast

Sects of MuslimsSects of Muslims

Sunni Muslims believe that any devout Muslim can lead and direct the people.

Shia’ Muslims believe that only a descendant Of Muhammad may lead the people.

Shia Muslims believe that Sunni Muslims killed the last descendant of Muhammad at the battle of Karballah.

To this day, Sunnis and Shias hate each other.

Muslim Non-Muslim Muslim Non-Muslim RelationsRelations

A Christian King Negus of A Christian King Negus of EthiopiaEthiopia

Negus gives Protection to migrated Muslims

First Muslim-Christian Governmental Interaction

Treaty with Jews of MadinaTreaty with Jews of MadinaProphet has to migrate to Madina (about

200 miles from Makkah)Signs a treaty with Jews of MadinaNo compulsion in Religion

Letter to MonksLetter to MonksVerily, I defend them by myself, the

servants, the helpers, and my followers, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them. No compulsion is to be on them.

Their churches are to be respected.

Some Quotations from Some Quotations from Quran and HadithQuran and Hadith

• Food

• Mothers

• Daughters

• Human Equality

• Justice

• Repel Evil with Goodness

• Suicide is a grave sin

FoodFood002.172 O ye who believe! Eat of the good things

that We have provided for you, and be grateful to God, if it is Him ye worship.

Forbidden: • Meat of animals found dead• blood• the flesh of swine• Alcoholic beverages (such as beer and wine) and

intoxicants• Meat on which name of God is not invoked at time of

slaughtering or meat on which some one else’s name is invoked

Permitted: food of the People of the Book

FoodFood

MOTHERSMOTHERS

The Qur'an elevates kindness to parents (especially mothers) to a status second only to the worship of Allah.

Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. (Qur'an 17:23)

MOTHERSMOTHERS

DAUGHTERSDAUGHTERS

Human Equality in IslamHuman Equality in Islam

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:"No Arab has any superiority over a non-

Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab. Nor does a white man have any superiority over a black man, or the black man any superiority over the white man. You are all the children of Adam, and Adam was created from clay"

Human Equality in IslamHuman Equality in Islam

Justice in IslamJustice in Islam

"Do not let your hatred of a people incite you to aggression." (Quran 5:2)

"And do not let ill-will towards any folk incite you so that you swerve from dealing justly. Be just; that is nearest to heedfulness." (Quran 5:8)

Repel Evil with GoodnessRepel Evil with Goodness

041.034 Nor can goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: Then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!

003.134 Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men; for God loves those who do good.

Repel Evil with GoodnessRepel Evil with Goodness

Suicide is a Grave SinSuicide is a Grave Sin

O ye who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities: But let there be amongst you Traffic and trade by mutual good-will: Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily God has been to you Most Merciful! (Quran, 4:29)

Concluding RemarksConcluding Remarks

• The Western understanding of Islam is based on what the Western media has shown.

• Islam is grossly misunderstood in the United States and Europe.

• Only learning what a religion really is can people stop the misunderstandings of

different religious groups.