Islam

ISLAM

An Introduction to Islam

تقديم إلى إسالم

History of Western Civilization: Byzantine Empire Unit 2008-09

Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Taj Mahal, India

Medina, Mosque ( the Prophet’s mosque )

Medina, Mosque ( the Prophet’s mosque )

Dome of The Rock,

Jerusalem

Istanbul, Turkey

Cairo, Egypt

Damascus, Syria

Islamabad, Pakistan

Bombay, India

Jakarta, Indonesia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Rome, Italy

Dublin, Ireland

Guyana-Mosque

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA

Contents

The Basics

Demographics

History

Practice

Ethics

Sects

Women in Islam

Mosques

Islamic Art

The Basics

What does Islam mean?

Arabic root word is SLM

SLM=

Salaam =

Peace

ISLAM = “Willful Surrender” “Willful Submission”

MUSLIM = “One who submits to Allah”

The “6” Articles of Faith

Belief in the Oneness of Allah (God)

Belief in the Angels created by Allah (God)

Belief in the Revealed Books of Allah (God)

Belief in the Messengers & Prophets of Allah (God)

Belief in the Day of Judgment

Belief in Allah’s (God’s) Sovereignty (control)

over Human Destiny & over all Affairs

Islam “A Faith of Human Unity”

It calls all humankind regardless of their

race and gender to unite in the worship

of the One and Unique creator.

Islam considers all believers as brothers

and sisters, and rejects discrimination on

the basis of gender, color, race or ethnic

background.

Humankind is one family, if one person

suffers everyone should help alleviate

that suffering

Allah

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

“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 Qur’an)

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

Ishmael, Ishaq, Jacob (Israel), Joseph,

Benjamin, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon,

Zakareya, John, Jesus, Muhammad

DIVINE BOOKS: Torah, Zabur (Psalms),

Injeel (Gospel), Qur’an

Belief in ALL prophets of God

Source of All Books is God

Main Message of all Prophets: Islam

Muslims Believe Muhammad Is:

•The Last Messenger & Last Prophet

•The Seal Of The Prophets

•The Universal Prophet

Qur’an القرآن The Holy Book

“The Recitation”

Original message is intact, as given by the Prophet in Arabic

23 Years of Revelations (610 - 632 C.E.) 114 Chapters (Suras)

– Each begins with the phrase:

“In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.”

بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم

Islam maintains the

integrity of original

language (Arabic)

Muslims of all language

backgrounds recite

Islamic verses in Arabic

Sunnah and Hadith

Approvals, disapprovals of the Prophet

Compiled in separate books, known as Hadith books, after the death of the Prophet

Classified from authentic to false.

Sharia & Fiqh

Sharia

– "the path leading to the watering place" – Islamic Law – covers all aspects of life – politics, society, daily life

Fiqh

– "jurisprudence"

– the practical rules of the religion

–what is required, forbidden, recommended, disapproved or merely permitted

Muslims respect , love and honor Jesus

Jesus is considered a great messenger/ prophet

Jesus was born from the ‘virgin’ Mary

Jesus is a ‘word’ from God

Jesus is mentioned in 25 places in the Qur’an with names of respect and honor

However, Muslims do not consider Jesus to be of divine nature

What Muslims believe about Jesus

“We believe in Allah (God) and that

which was revealed to us, and that

which was revealed to Abraham,

Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the tribes

and that which was given to Moses,

Jesus and to the Prophets from their

Lord; We make NO distinction

between any of them, and to Him

(God) we submit.” (Qur’an, 3:83)

What the Qur’an says about Jesus

Becoming A Muslim

Simply by saying with conviction…

“La ilaha illa Allah,

wa Muhammad Rasullah.”

…one becomes a Muslim.

This saying means:

“There is no true deity, but Allah (God),

and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of Allah.”

Demographics

So, where are Muslims ?

1.7 billion Muslims worldwide (almost ¼ of the world’s population)

57 countries with Muslims as a majority of the population, including 22 Arab countries.

Country with the largest Muslim population is Indonesia.

Only 18-25% of Muslims are Arabs

World Muslims

Muslims in America

2nd most common religion in America

One of the fastest growing religions in the USA

Estimated 7 to 8 million Muslims

Wide variety of ethnic backgrounds/national origins

Not all Muslims are Arabs…not all Arabs are Muslims

History

Prophet Muhammad

Descendant of Ishmael, the first son of

Abraham.

Born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 570 AD

Received first revelation at the age 40

through angel Gabriel.

Died in the year 632 AD, after preaching

Islam for 23 years.

Prophet Muhammad

Early years

Caravan experience = worldly knowledge

Marriage to Khadija

Message from Gabriel

Persecution in Mecca

Justice & a following in Yathrib (Medina)

Conquest of Mecca

Spread of faith

Spread of Islam

Islam, in the tenth century, was the main religion

or -- at least -- the religion of the majority of

peoples in an area covering more than half of the

civilized world.

Stretching over three continents from the

Pyrenees and Siberia in West and Northern

Europe to the farthest end of Asia, up to China

and New Guinea in the East; from Morocco in

North Africa to the southern tip of Africa,

covering two-thirds of the African continent.

Spread of Islam

What Gandhi Said About Muhammad “I wanted to know the best of one who holds today’s

undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind.

I became convinced that it was not the sword that won a

place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was

the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the

Prophet, the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his

intense devotion to his friends and his followers, his

intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and

in his own mission. These and not the sword carried

everything before them and surmounted every obstacle.

When I closed the 2nd volume (of the Prophet’s

biography), I was sorry there was not more for me to

read of his great life.” Mahatma Gandhi

The life & property of all people are considered sacred whether a person is Muslim or not.

No Supremacy: All people are equal.

“God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others.”

“None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”

“He who eats his fill while his neighbor goes without food is not a believer.”

“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.”

Sayings Of Prophet Muhammad

For 500 to 1000 Years

Muslims Were The World Leaders in

Mathematics

Algebra

Arabic Numbers

Geometry

Engineering

Architecture

Arts & Crafts

Calligraphy

Education

Universities

Learning

Knowledge

Exploration

Hygiene

Ethics

Etiquettes

Social Services

Hospitals

Medicine

Law & Justice

Human Rights

Civil Rights

Commerce

Industry

Science

Chemistry

Physics

Biology

Astronomy

Anatomy

Botany

Poetry

Practice

Worship and Obedience

Prayers (Salah)

Charity (Zakat)

Fasting ( Ramadan)

Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Any act done according to Qur’an & Sunnah

to please God

The Five Pillars of Islam

The Five Pillars Of Islam ( Forms Of Worship )

1) Declaration of Faith (Shahadah)

2) Prayers (Salah)

3) Charity (Zakat)

4) Fasting (Ramadan)

5) Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Declaration of Faith

(Shahadah)

To say, believe and testify that…

“La ilaha illa Allah”

“There is no true deity, but Allah (God).” <Denial of other gods—affirmation of the one true God>

ال إله إال هللا

Prayers (Salah)

Five Daily Prayers from Dawn to Late Evening regulate a Muslim’s day: a dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset & night

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

Face Kabbah (in Mecca)

a Mihrab

Prayers in Arabic.

Additional Prayers optional

Mosque Place of Worship

Masjid in Arabic

1st mosque in the world

was the Kaabah-- built by

Abraham on an order from

God.

Three holiest sites in Islam:

1) Masjid al-Haram in Mecca

2) Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina

3) Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem

Friday prayer key day of weekly gathering

Muezzin – “Caller-to-Prayer”

Minaret – Tower (pictured)--part of Mosque

Recitation/Chant – Testament of faith & call to prayer

The Call-to-Prayer (Al-adhan)

Ablution (washing) before Prayer

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10

Charity (Zakat)

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

Redistribution of wealth helps societies & people

Muslims are usually motivated to donate even more as optional charity

God rewards charity givers very generously in this life and in the hereafter.

Fasting (Ramadan-Siyam)

Ramadan is 9th month in Islamic Lunar calendar

Daily dawn to sunset fast for 30 days (no food or

drink)

Eidul-Fitr Holiday at the end

This abstention includes food, drink and sexual

relations.

Muslims believe the fasting person develops a

greater understanding of the plight of those who

go hungry every day.

Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Pilgrimage to Mecca (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

Eid Prayer – Islamic Holiday

Ethics

Muslim Character & Ethics Be pure, clean, and

sober

Be just, noble, and steadfast

Show forgiveness, be kind and generous

Be optimistic, thankful, and happy

Obey the 10 Commandments

Trust God with all your heart, mind and soul

Faith requires action

Excel in goodness

Enjoin what is right

Forbid what is wrong

Be educated, seek knowledge

Have integrity, be honest and sincere

Be modest, humble and pious

Mankind is One

family

If one person

suffers, everyone

suffers

All life is sacred

All human rights

should be protected

Love one another

Show moderation in

everything

Love for others what

you love for yourself

Take care of orphans,

widows & the needy

Defend the weak

Free the oppressed

Fulfill your trusts,

commitments &

promises

Be just

Muslim Character & Ethics

Guidance from the Qur’an & Hadith

• Food

• Human Equality

• Justice

• Repel Evil with Goodness

• Suicide and Jihad

Food Forbidden:

• Meat of animals found dead

• Blood

• 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

Human Equality in Islam

The Prophet Muhammad 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 Islam “Do not let your hatred of a people incite you to

aggression.” (Qur’an 5:2)

“Do not let ill-will towards any folk incite you so that you swerve from dealing justly. Be just.” (Qur’an 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.” (Qur’an 4:135)

Repel Evil with Goodness

“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!”

(Qur’an 41:34)

“Those who spend (freely), whether in

prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain

anger, and pardon (all) men; for God loves

those who do good.” (Qur’an 3:134)

Suicide 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!”

(Qur’an, 4:29)

No Terrorism

(Forbidden in Islam)

Islamic Rulings (Fatwah’s) condemned attacks on

September 11, 2001, the London bombings and

others

– Worldwide Islamic leaders signed on to these condemnations

– Worldwide Islamic Organizations issued condemnations

Muslim anxiety over religious misinterpretations

– Feel that Islam and Muslims are being held responsible unfairly for actions of “deviated people.”

Linguistic meaning: “Striving” / “Struggling”

Islamic meaning: Non-violent struggling within oneself for a life of

virtue.

Fighting to establish justice, which is a supreme goal.

Rules of Engagement (Fighting) In Islam ~Commanded by Prophet Muhammad

Never Kill Innocent People

Never Injure Prisoners-of-War

Never Kill Animals

Never Destroy Crops or Infrastructures

Never Mutilate Bodies of Enemies--dead or alive

All Prisoners Should be Given Fair Treatment

Women & Children Should be Protected From Harm

Always Bury the Dead With Respect

Note: 1,400 Years BEFORE Geneva Convention

Islamic Jihad

Sects

Sects within Islam

There are divisions within Islam – just as in Christianity, Judaism,

Hinduism and Buddhism

Two primary sects: Sunni & Shi’a – Sunni: ~85-90%

– Shi’a: ~10-15% including parts of Iran, Iraq, Bahrain,

Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Afghanistan

Third (Minor) sect: Sufism – Mystical order

– May include Sunni and Shi'a followers

Sects within Islam

Sunni & Shi’a Muslims share the most fundamental Islamic beliefs and articles of faith.

Nature of the two divisions:

1)Political •Succession of the Prophet

(Political Leadership)

2)Spiritual •Veneration/worship of Imams

(Spiritual Leadership)

Sects within Islam “Sunni” (“Sunnah” root): “one who follows the

traditions of the Prophet” -- “well-trodden path” -- “tradition”

1) Successor to the Prophet should have been the most capable leader, NOT based upon bloodlines.

This is what occurred.

2) Spiritual leadership is NOT a birthright, born of community trust and respect

Approximately 85-90% of Muslims are from the Sunni branch

Sects within Islam Shi’a is from: “Shi’a-t-Ali” -- “partisans”

– “Party of Ali”

1) Successor to the Prophet should have been through bloodlines: – First, Ali (son-in-law and cousin of

Muhammad)

– Then, through Fatima’s (Ali’s wife and Muhammad’s daughter) children.

2) Spiritual leadership is anointed directly from Allah (God). – Imam is sinless and infallible by nature.

Sects within Islam •Sunni and Shi’a also differ in lesser ways:

•Sunni believe the al-Mahdi (vice-regent of Allah) will arrive at/on Judgment Day

•Shi’a believe al-Mahdi is on earth, “Hidden” and will emerge at/on Judgment Day

•Subgroups/”schools” of Sunni:

•Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanafi, Hanbali (most conservative)

•Subgroups/”schools” of Shi’a:

•Ithna ‘Ashariyah (“Twelvers”--the largest), Isma'iliyah and Zaydiyah

Women in Islam

Islamic Teaching About Women

The keys to heaven lay at the feet of the

Mother.

Your Mother deserves “3” times the

respect, honor, devotion & admiration

over the Father

The Prophet said: He who is best to his

wife is best in the sight of Allah (God).

The Prophet taught all to be Kind, Gentle

& Loving With Women

Pre-Islamic Status Of Women 570 A.D.

Very male chauvinistic society

No Rights - No Status

No Inheritance

No say in marriage

Considered property of husbands

Lost her name

Burden on society

Her money, property, belonged to the husband

Not equal to men

Given away by husband

Exchanged for goods & services

Traded, bought & sold

Meanwhile…

Other nations doing the same

Some Christian Councils still argued whether women had souls

Women = Men

Equal…

– In the sight of God

– In belief, prayer, fasting, charity, pilgrimage

– Rewards & punishments

– Rights & status

Right to…

– Inheritance

– Initiate Marriage

– Initiate Divorce

– Choose In Marriage

– Keep Her Name

– Refuse marriage proposals

Right to…

– Own property

– Work

– Be educated

– Be protected by men

– Be respected, loved, admired

Can NOT be traded, bought, sold

All her money is hers

All her property is hers

Men required to give dowry in marriage

Asset to society Honored in society Integral part of all societal

affairs

Post-Islamic Status Of Women 623 A.D.

Islamic Dress Pictures-Women

Hijab

The Hijab primarily refers to a woman's head & body covering

Addresses the norms of modesty, privacy & morality

In the Qur’an: a headscarf or veil is a “khimār”

(خمار)

حجاب

The Burqa: most extreme--not

even a woman's eyes are visible

Hijab

Afghani Burqa

Iranian Hijab

Hijab Sportswear

Similar head coverings may been seen

across cultural lines and throughout

history -- see following pages a

حجاب

Mosques

Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Taj Mahal, India

Medina, Mosque ( the Prophet’s mosque )

Medina, Mosque ( the Prophet’s mosque )

Dome of The Rock,

Jerusalem

Istanbul, Turkey

Cairo, Egypt

Damascus, Syria

Islamabad, Pakistan

Bombay, India

Jakarta, Indonesia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Rome, Italy

Dublin, Ireland

Guyana-Mosque

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA

Islamic Art

Islamic Arts

Islamic Arts

Islamic Arts

ترحيب إلى العالم اإلسالم

(Welcome to the world of Islam.)

و

شكرا جزيال (Many thanks.)

مع سالم

(Go in Peace.)