ISLAM Pillars of Islam & Shri’a ARABIC 367 ISLAM Pillars of Islam & Shri’a

What is Islam? The term Islam derives from the root s-l-m (submission, peace, commitment, surrender) Islam: Monotheistic religion revealed to Muhammad ibn Abdullah (610-632 C.E.). The name Islam was instituted by the Qur’an, sacred scripture revealed to Muhammad. Islam is not a new religion. It is the last reiteration of the primordial message of God’s Oneness, a theme found in earlier monotheistic religious traditions.

What does the term “ Allah ”mean? Allah = al + ilah = God Allah is the proper name for the Creator as found in the Qur’an. Eloh, Eluhim, El, Dios, Dieu

Who are Muslims? Muslim is one who willfully submits to God. In Islam, everything in creation ) microbes, plants, animals, mountains, human beings, rivers…( is “Muslim,” testifying to the majesty of the Creator and submitting or committing to His divine laws. Commonly, the term Muslim refers to one who believes in the “ Shahadah ”, and embraces a lifestyle in accordance with the Islamic principles and values.

What is “Shahadah”? Shahadah: Witnessing that “There is no deity but Allah, and Muhammad is his Messenger.”

The Five Pillars of Islam Shahadah - Declaration of Faith Salah - Prayer Sawm - Fasting Zakat - Mandatory Almsgiving Tax Hajj – Pilgrimage to Mecca

Basic Beliefs of Muslims Muslims believe in… Allah - The one God Angels - (and the world of the unseen) Prophets - (and Muhammad as the last prophet) Divine Scriptures (and the Qur’an as the final scripture) Day of judgment – (reward and punishment) Belief in Al-Qadar

ISLAMIC LAW

Shari’a Qur’an Sunnah (sayings and actions of the Prophet) Ijma (consensus among Muslim scholars and jurists) Qiyas (making deductions by analogy or precedent)

How was Shari’a developed? The process of collecting, verifying, and codifying the hadith (sayings) of the Prophet developed into a science of its own. Teachers and students of the Qur’an began writing tafsirs, or commentaries in order to explain the meaning of its verses. Schools of Thought were formed in different regions and came up with different interpretations and judgments on certain issues. Due to varying social structures, cultures, and lifestyles among Muslims, five schools gained popularity in different parts of the world.

Schools of Thought in Islam Name Founder Commonly followed in… Hanafi Abu Hanifa (d.767) Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, India, Syria, Jordan Hanbali Ibn Hanbal (d. 855) Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Gulf countries Jafari Jafar Sadiq (d. 765) Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Gulf Mallki M. Ibn Anas (d. 795) N. African countries, Bahrain Shafi’i M. Ash-shfi (d. 820) E. Africa, Yemen, C. Asia, S.E Asia, Jordan, Syria, Iraq

Arabic 367 Minorities

Sunni Muslims make up the majority, representing 85% of the Muslim population.

Minorities Muslims: Shia, Druze, Alawites... Christians: Moronites, Catholics, Chaldeans, Orthodox,Copts, Protestans. Jews

Shia Who are they? Where do they live? How do they differ from Sunnis? What are the branches of Shiism?

Druze Who are they? Are they a different sect? What is the major difference between the Shia and the Druze?

Alawis Are they Muslims?

Maronites Name Are they Arabs?