Islam 101Islam 101Dr. Ishaq ZahidDr. Ishaq Zahid

zahidi@citadel.eduzahidi@citadel.edu

http://www.islam101.com

OutlineOutlineIslamic Theology – Basic BeliefsMuslim Non-Muslim RelationsQuotations From Quran and HadithQuestions/Answers

No CompulsionNo Compulsion

Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from Error. Whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And God hears and knows all things.

(The Holy Quran, 2.256)

World MuslimsWorld Muslims

• 1.2 billion, Muslims represent between 19.2% and 22% of the world's population.

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

• Second largest religion in the world

World Distribution of MuslimsAfrica 308,660,000 27.4%

Asia 778,362,000 69.1%

Europe 32,032,000 2.8%

Latin America 1,356,000 0.1%

North America 5,530,000 0.5%

World 1,126,325,000 100%

Source:  Britannica Yearbook, 1997

American MuslimsAmerican Muslims

6 million (The New York Times, Feb. 21, 1989)

About 40% Afro-AmericanNot all Muslims are Arabs, Not all

Arabs are Muslims

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).

ALLELUYA = YA ALLA HU = OH! AllahElohim =Eloh +im (plural), translated to

Allah in the Arabic Bible.

Prophets and ScripturesProphets and ScripturesSOME 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 GodSource of All Books is GodMain Message of all Prophets: Islam

Prophet MuhammadProphet Muhammad Descendant of Ishmael, the first son of Abraham. Born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in the year 570 C.E. Received first revelation at the age 40 through angel

Gabriel. Died in the year 632 C.E, after preaching Islam for 23

years.

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW said about him: "He must be called the Saviour of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to

assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it much needed peace and happiness." (The Genuine Islam, Singapore, Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936)

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 Verses Explain Verses 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.

Quran: Verse 8:12Quran: Verse 8:12Often misinterpreted Verse by Islam bashers:

Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): "I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I will instill terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them."

(The Quran, 8.12)

Read for an explanation:

http://www.islam101.com/terror/verse8_12.htm

Quran: Verse 8:61Quran: Verse 8:61008.061 But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also)

incline towards peace, and trust in God: for He is One that hears and knows (all things).

060.008  God forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for God loves those who are just.

060.009  God only forbids you, with regard to those who fight you for (your) Faith, and drive you out of your homes, and support (others) in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them (in these circumstances), that do wrong.

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 Kabah, prayers in Arabic as taught by the Prophet.

Additional Prayers optional

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

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

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

Video ClipVideo Clip

Inside Mecca

By

National

Geopgraphic

Muslim Non-Muslim Muslim Non-Muslim RelationsRelations

A Christian King of EthopiaTreaty with Jews of MadinahLetter to Moncks of St. Catherine

A Christian King Negus of A Christian King Negus of EthopiaEthopia

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 MoncksLetter to MoncksVerily, 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

MOTHERSMOTHERSThe 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)

And We have enjoined on every human being (to be good) to his/her parents: in travail upon travail did his/her mother bear him/her and in years twain was his/her weaning: (hear the command) "Show gratitude to me and to your parents: to Me is (your final) destiny." (Qur'an 31:14)

DAUGHTERSDAUGHTERS Prophet Muhammad (Peace be on him) said,

Whosoever has a daughter and does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favor his son over her, Allah will enter him into Paradise. (Ahmad)

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"

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)

‘Oh you who believe, stand up firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even if it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be against rich or poor; for God can best protect both. Do not follow any passion, lest you not be just. And if you distort or decline to do justice, verily God is well-acquainted with all that you do.’” (Quran 4:135)

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.

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

Strive for peace and justice for all!

Questions Questions and Answersand Answers

Surah Al-Fatehah(Chapter 1: The Opening)

1. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

2. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;

3. Most Gracious, Most Merciful;

4. Master of the Day of Judgment.

5. Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.

6. Show us the straight way,

7. The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.