Islam

About Islam

Islam:

v      Submission to the one God, Allah

v      The world’s fastest-growing and second-largest religion

v      Central teachings are derived from the Quran, the primary sacred text and Islam’s earthly center.

v      Muhammad, the final prophet,. exemplifies human perfection.

Muhammad:

v      Muhammad was born about 570 c.e. into the leading tribe of Mecca..

v      Muhammad was an orphan and was raised by his uncle.

v      He was a hard-working boy, honest and dependable who began his life as a shepherd and later went into the trading business.

v      He was a caravan manager for a wealthy widow, Khadija, whom he eventually married.

v      Muhammad was 25 and Khadija was about 40!

v      They had at least 6 children and a long and happy marriage.

Muhammad as a prophet:

v      The angel Gabriel commanded  Muhammad to “recite”!

v      Citizens of Mecca were hostile to the message.

v      Muhammad fled north to Yathrib, (Medina)

v      This was known as the Hijra, an event  on which the Muslims base their calendar.

v      Most of Arabia were converted to Islam by the time of Muhammad’s death in 632.

Allah:

v      Muslims have 99 names for Allah or God.

v      Prophets are the link between people and Allah.

v      Abraham is the father of the Arab people.

v      Moses and Jesus are also revered.

v      Muhammad is the last and the “seal” of the prophets.

v      Muslims consider human nature as essentially good, sin occurs when people forget their natural goodness.

The Five pillars of Islam:

v      Confession of faith in one God and acknowledgment of Muhammad as a unique prophet.

v      Prayer 5 times a day.

v      Fasting during Ramadan

v      Wealth sharing - 2.5 percent of their gross income.

v      Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a person’s life..

Social Teachings:

v      Shariah Law - Divine law governing most Islamic countries.

v      Islam regards men and women as equals but with different roles.

v      Jihad represents the struggle of individuals and society to act in accordance with shariah law.

Expension and Varieties of Islam:

v      Within one century after Muhammad’s death, Islamic civilization spread throughout the Middle East, Persia, North Africa, and almost all of Spain.

v      Currently, the greatest concentration of Muslims is across the northern half of Africa, all of the Middle East, southwestern and South Asia, and the islands of Malaysia and Indonesia.

v      Islam is the fastest growing religion in the United States.