Islam A Misunderstood Religion “One who submits”
Islam Monotheistic Religion God is referred to Allah- “elah” ‘a god‘ Used 17 times in one page of Old Testament Currently has 1.2 Billion followers Fastest Growing Religion--#1 soon Founder is the Prophet Muhammad Scripture: Qur’an or Koran Three foundations: Qu’ran Muhammad Muslim Community/Umma
Muhammad and Qu’ran
Qu’ran Qu’ran is comparable to Jesus for Christianity Both are sacred Foundational Source of Religion Qu’ran—Almost the size of New Testament—114 suras/Chapters Arabic ONLY-Direct words of Allah Qu’ran means reading/recitation
Prophet Muhammad Born 570 AD—leading Mecca Tribe Most perfect of all humans NOT a god. Not son of God, etc. Shepherd boy, orphaned, uncle Married 40 yr old widow at age 25 6 children, long marriage
Muhammad Meditated, Spiritual Person 610-Angel Gabriel appeared Asked to recite—Called Night of Power and Excellence Wife was first to convert 10 yrs—several hundred families 360 shrines to many gods---Only ONE Advocated for Social Justice and economic justice Hostility- Had to move to Yathrib (Medina)— Hijra—Eventually moved back to Mecca
Teachings Abraham, Moses, Jesus—revealed truth— but not all. Muhammad revealed the rest. He was the final seal. Christ=holy presence, Muhammad=delivered holy presence Teachings called the Sunna (2nd) Ascended heaven with Gabriel, saw Jesus, Moses, Abraham—in Allah’s presence. Finally received Qu’ran brought it down to earth
Principles One God-Allah Prophets are Messengers of Allah We are good, but we forget There is a hell. You do wrong, you go there. Day of Judgment Savior figure similar to Jewish Messiah Then Jesus will return to usher this Judgment Science is embraced as way to know Allah’s world Umma, Muslim community Ideal, not always realized Divine law, Shari’a Obligatory Recommended Indifferent Disapproved Forbidden
Five Pillars of Islam Confession of Faith— Shahada Prayer- Five times a day, Prostration Fasting-Ramadan(9 th month) NO eating, drinking, sex, or smoking Alms Pilgrimage (Hajj) Ka’ba-built by Abraham
Personal/Social Life Care of the body Clean, washing, not overly seductive or luxurious. Attractive/fashinable clothes Ok Three joys: prayer, company of women, perfume(reminder of paradise) Regulation of Diet—No pork, alcohol Sex only in marriage Marry early, no dating, traditional arranged marriages—Legal first then love grows
Women Controversial Bothered by accusation of male chauvinism Men and woman as equal, but different roles Most central institution: family Divorce-3 times (detested but allowed) Polygamy—limited, but allowed Veil- Hijab
Expansion Sufi Sunni--Iraqi Shi’ite--Iran Imam-one who has special spiritual insight