Islam

Where did Islam get it’s name? The term Islam derives from the three-letter Arabic root s-l-m, which generates words such as “surrender,” “submission,” and “peace” The name Islam was instituted by the Qur’an, or the sacred text scripture revealed to Muhammad To be a believer of Islam is to be a Muslim, which literally means “one who submits” (to God)

History of Islam In Islam the last prophet came some 600 yrs after Jesus by the name of Muhammad… Born in 570 CE He was orphaned at an early age after the death of his parents (Father died before birth/mother died at age 6) Raised by uncle Grew up to be an honest, trustworthy business man  people referred to him as “al-Amin” or “The trustworthy one” Age 25, married Khadijah, 15 yrs his elder (married 25 yrs until her death) While meditating in a cave he received the first of many revelations from the angel Jibreel or Gabriel where he was commanded to convey the Divine message and become the last messenger of god (age 40 at time) Spent the rest of his life receiving revelations from God and advocating the message of Islam

Facts and Statistics Over 1.2 billion people are Muslims Arabs comprise 15-18% of all Muslims Indonesia is actually the country with the largest population of Muslims (over 170 million) There are nearly as many Muslims in China as there are in Iran, Egypt, or Turkey Polls vary on the number of Muslim in the U.S.— ranging from 1 million to 7 million It is estimated anywhere from 4,000 to 12,000 Muslims are on active duty in the U.S. armed forces

Basic Beliefs The central concept in Islam is tawheed, or oneness of God  the practice of Islam is based upon belief in One God, Allah Role of prophets are deemed important in Islam as they are seen as righteous and truthful messengers selected by God The Qur’an mentions 25 prophets by name-Jesus is mentioned, but in Islam the prophet-hood ends with Muhammad Muslims share with the Christian belief in Jesus’ unique birth and various miracles performed by him. Muslims do not believe in Jesus’ divinity and do notconsider Jesus as the “Son of God” They do not believe in the crucifixion either

Holy Book Qur’an Literally meaning “the reading” or the “recitation” it refers to the divinely revealed scripture given to Muhammad Muslims believe this to be the final revelations from God to humanity Muhammad is not the author of the Qur’an, rather he is considered as the chosen transmitter The book is organized in 114 chapters, with roughly 6,000 verses--it has remained intact and unchanged to this day

Worship Formal worship is done usually five times a day Worshippers recite verses from the holy book usually following the opening prayer Surah al Fatihah (The Opening) “Praise be to God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds Most Gracious, most merciful Master of the Day of Judgment Thee do we worship, and thine aid we seek Show us the straight way, The way of these on whom Thou has bestowed Thy Mercy Of those who do not earn Thine anger, nor go astray.” (Qur’an, 1:1-7)

The 5 pillars of Islam: Every Muslim practices each of these pillars in their life

The Shahadah is the first pillar of Islam لا اله الا الله محد رسول الله ”There is no true God but Allaah and Muhammad is the true Messenger of Allaah.” This testimony is the key to Paradise* *The Testimony of Tawheed What Does It Mean? Dr. Saleh As Saleh/9/4/2004 Muslims testify (say):

Salaat: Prayer There are five required (wajib) prayers that Muslims must pray each day…..

Muslims pray: Salatul Fajr, at dawn Salatul Dhuhr, at midday Salatul Asr, in the late afternoon Salatul Maghrib, at sunset Salatul ‘Isha, in the evening

Zakah is a pillar of Islam Zakah is food or money that we give to those in need

Sawmu Ramadan Sawmu means fast, to give up food or drink during daylight hours. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Sawmu Ramadan is fasting for the whole month of Ramadan

Hajj Hajj is a trip to the Kabah that every Muslim must make at least once in his life, if he is able to.

2 Main Sects of Islam Sunni means ”tradition” and they emphasize the followings of Muhammad Shi’ite-10-16% of Muslims, a party of Ali (Muhammad’s S.I.L.), believe that religious leaders as political leaders