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.

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)

Beliefs of IslamBeliefs of Islam

Allah Angels Scriptures Messengers Predestination Hereafter

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

Variations Variations within Islamwithin Islam

Sunni Shi’a Sufi Different races,

different cultures

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

Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers

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