An introduction to the faith, culture and people of Islam by Dr. Sahib Mustaqim Bleher In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Merci-Giving.
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An introduction to the An introduction to the faith, culture and faith, culture and people of Islampeople of Islam
byby
Dr. Sahib Mustaqim BleherDr. Sahib Mustaqim Bleher
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Merci-Giving
OutlineOutline Muslims in the World History of Islam Beliefs and practice Key differences Misconceptions Questions/Answers
Muslims in the Muslims in the WorldWorld
1.2 billion, Muslims represent just over 20% of the world's population = 1 of 5 humans in the world is a Muslim
Second largest religion in the world Fastest growing including Europe and
America
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
Muslims in BritainMuslims in Britain 1.6 million Muslims live in the UK
= 3% of general UK population Higher concentrations in metropolitan
areas, e.g
8.5% of London population Disproportionate presence in custody:
8 % of prison population in UK (x2.67)
Coin with Islamic Coin with Islamic inscription issued by inscription issued by Anglo-Saxon King Offa of Anglo-Saxon King Offa of Mercia, 8Mercia, 8thth century century
History of IslamHistory of Islam
Monotheistic Tradition Prophet Muhammad in Arabia Expansion and development Fall of the Caliphate
Monotheistic TraditionMonotheistic Tradition Islam literally means achieving peace with oneself
and one’s environment through submission to God It is seen as a continuation of the previous
monotheistic teachings, particularly Judaism and Christianity (the people of the Book)
The Qur’an confirms the Torah, the Psalms and the Gospel as divinely revealed scriptures before the Qur’an
Monotheistic TraditionMonotheistic Tradition Most of the prophets mentioned in the Qur’an
are known to the previous traditions:
Adam (Adam), Idris, Nuh (Noah), Hud, Saleh, Lut (Lot), Ibrahim (Abraham), Ismail (Ishmael), Ishaq (Isaac), Yaqub (Jacob), Yusuf (Joseph), Shu’ayb (Jethro), Ayyub (Job), Musa (Moses), Harun (Aaron), Dawud (David), Sulayman (Solomon), Yunus (Jonah), Ilyas (Elijah), Al-Yasa (Elisha), Dhu-l-Kifl, Zakariya (Zechariah), Yahya (John), ‘Isa (Jesus)
Prophet Prophet Muhammad in Muhammad in
ArabiaArabia
Muhammad, peace be upon him, was born in Arabia in 570 and received the first revelation at the age of 40.
After 10 years in Makkah, where the growing faith was soon persecuted, he emigrated with his followers to Madinah in 622. This is known as the Hijrah and marks the beginning of the Muslim lunar calendar.
During the remaining 13 years of his life he laid the foundation for the city state at the heart of the growing Muslim sphere of influence.
Expansion and developmentExpansion and development
Islamic rule spread within decades to the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe.
The developing civilisation absorbed and adapted the heritage of ancient people like Egypt, Persia and Greece and excelled in art, architecture, astronomy, geography, history, linguistics, literature, medicine, mathematics and physics, laying the foundation for European enlightenment.
Expansion and developmentExpansion and development At the same time the Islamic sciences of
Qur’anic studies (Tafsir), Hadith classification, Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) matured, leading to a wealth of religious literature which formed the foundation for subsequent development.
Fall of the CaliphateFall of the Caliphate
Soon after the death of the prophet, however, Islam also saw numerous political upheavals, leading, for example to the split between Sunni and Shi’a traditions.
In spite of power struggles within the Islamic territory, for most of the time there was some kind of political unity.
The dissolution of the Caliphate at the end of WWI and the resulting age of colonialism presented Muslims across the world with a new phenomenon of fragmentation and disunity from which they have still not recovered to date.
Beliefs and practiceBeliefs and practice
Five pillars Halal and haram Variations within Islam Relationship to other faiths
The five pillars of IslamThe five pillars of Islam
Declaration of faith (Shahadah) Prayer (Salah) Charity (Zakah) Fasting (Saum) Pilgrimage (Hajj)
Belief:Belief:Allah – One GodAllah – 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 Him. (The Quran, Surah 112)
Belief: The AngelsBelief: The Angels
Part of the belief in the unseen is the belief in other forms of creation (the angels made from light; the Jinn (spirits, demons) made from the essence of fire)
Some angels have specific tasks: Jibril (Gabriel) brings the revelation, Israfil delivers commands and blows the trumpet on the day of judgment, Mika’il (Michael) is the bringer of blessing and in charge of nature, Izra’il the angel of death.
Our deeds are recorded by two personal angels
Belief: Scriptures – The Qur’anBelief: Scriptures – The Qur’an Revealed over 23 years in
Makkah and Madinah Both memorised and recorded
in writing, today’s copy is proven to be exactly the same as at the time of revelation
114 Surahs (chapters) divided in Ayahs (signs/verses)
Explanation (Tafsir) takes account of historic situation, linguistic understanding, and context of other verses
Recited in Arabic during prayer; translations are accepted for personal use, but not authoritative
Belief:Belief:Messengers - Messengers - MuhammadMuhammad
Descendant of Ishmael, the first son of Abraham. Born in Mecca, Arabia, in the year 570 Received first revelation at the age 40 through angel
Gabriel. Died in the year 632 C.E, after preaching Islam for
23 years. Seal of the chain of prophets; no more prophets to
follow.
Belief: Predestination (Qadr)Belief: Predestination (Qadr) We are accountable for our
deeds, but cannot influence the events we encounter, which are intended to test us
Our knowledge is limited, but the Creator has complete knowledge of past present and future
The belief in predestination helps in times of affliction but is not intended to prevent us from trying our best
Belief:Belief:The HereafterThe Hereafter
Life is part of a journey from God back to God
Life has a purpose; we are on trial with regard to our behaviour
The soul is eternal and will be raised again
Perfect justice does not exist on earth; full justice can only be achieved in the Hereafter
Nobody will escape accountability
Prayer (Salah)Prayer (Salah) Five Daily Prayers Prayers involve ablution, standing,
bowing, prostrating, sitting postures, followed by personal invocations
Muslim face a common prayer direction (Qiblah) towards the Kaabah in Makkah
Prayers can be said alone or in congregation
On Fridays congregational prayers preceded by a sermon are mandatory
Prayer (Salah)Prayer (Salah)
The five daily prayers are: Fajr (from early twilight till just before
sunrise Zuhr (after the zenith of the sun till mid
afternoon Asr (between mid and late afternoon Maghrib (shortly after sunset) ‘Isha (during night-time and before the next
morning’s twilight)
There are additional voluntary prayers as well as are prayers for special occasions
Prayer: The MosquePrayer: The Mosque
Mosques do not contain statues or images Calligraphy and arabesque geometric
designs beautify the mosque interior There are no seats and no reserved places Worshippers remove their shoes before entry Washing facilities are attached to the
mosque The mosque also serves as a cultural centre
Charity (Zakat)Charity (Zakat)
Everybody above the poverty threshold must pay 2.5% of surplus (not income) for the benefit of the needy annually
Only Muslims pay Zakah Other charity can be given at
any time The concept of Zakah ensures
an awareness of social obligation and prevents hording
Fasting (in Ramadan)Fasting (in Ramadan) Ramadan is 9th month in Islamic
Lunar calendar and thus starts 10 days earlier every year of the solar calendar
Abstinence from food and drink and marital relations from dawn to sunset
It is traditional to break the fast with dates
Fasting is to teach self-control and awareness of God
Eid ul-Fitr holiday at the end; celebrations are preceded by giving charity and a congregational prayer
Hajj (Pilgrimage)Hajj (Pilgrimage)
Pilgrimage to Makkah once in life time for able Muslims during the last month of the Muslim calendar
About 2-3 million Muslims perform Hajj each year from all over the world
The rituals of Hajj commemorate the sacrifice of Ibrahim (Abraham) Eid ul-Adha: the major Muslim holiday; congregational prayer followed
by sacrifice, food distribution and celebrations A lesser pilgrimage (Umrah) can take place any time during the year as
a visit to the Kaabah
Halal and HaramHalal and Haram Islam governs personal
and public life through a concept of permitted and forbidden actions, further divided into a complex system of individual and social rights and duties.
The lawful and unlawful actions are graded into the obligatory, recommended, value-neutral, disliked, and prohibited.
Islamic Law: Shari’ahIslamic Law: Shari’ah
Sources of laws
Divine revelation (Qur’an)
Prophetic Tradition (Hadith/Sunnah)
Scholarly analogy/consensus (Ijtihad/Qiyas/Ijma’)
Islamic Law: Shari’ahIslamic Law: Shari’ahClassification of
laws
Laws of God (human rights)
Laws of people (public order)
Laws of self (private morals)
Islamic Law: Shari’ahIslamic Law: Shari’ahJurisdictions
Daru-l-Islam (territory governed by Islamic Law)
Daru-l-Harb (enemy territory)
Daru-l-Ahd (territory subject to agreement with Islamic State)
Islamic Law: Shari’ahIslamic Law: Shari’ahDual Citizenship Muslims (to be
drafted/obliged to pay Zakah) Dhimmis (not to be
drafted/obliged to pay Jizya/protection tax)
Minority rights Monotheists (Ahl Kitab) Polytheists
Halal/Haram: FoodHalal/Haram: Food
Carrion, blood and pork are amongst the forbidden food items
Meat must be slaughtered in the name of Allah and all blood must be drained
Only non-carnivorous animals are permitted for consumption
All sea animals are permitted Alcohol and intoxicating drugs are prohibited
completely Food prepared by the People of the Book
(Jews/Christians) is permitted; food dedicated to other gods is prohibited
Halal/Haram: BehaviourHalal/Haram: BehaviourProhibited actions:
Murder
Theft
Usury
Gambling
Intimate relationships outside marriage
Same sex relationships
Relationships with other faithsRelationships with other faiths
Monotheistic faiths:
Jews
Christians Polytheistic faiths New faiths/cults
after Islam
Church and State No church hierarchy No separation of
religion and politics
Key DifferencesKey Differences
The role of religionThe role of religion
Key differences: ChristianityKey differences: Christianity
No divinity of man No crucifixion No original sin Personal salvation
MisconceptionsMisconceptions
A foreign religion?
Role of women, polygamy
Jihad (holy war) Confusion
between religious and cultural traditions
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