Islam

Comparing the Religions Judaism Christianity Islam Origin Unknown 33 AD 622 AD Sacred Text Torah Bible Qur’an (Koran) Adherents Jews Christians Muslims Church and State Separated Integrated Major splits Reform/Orthodox, 1800s CE Catholic/Orthodox, 1054Catholic/Protestant, 1500s Shia/Sunni, c. 650 CE view of fellow Abrahamic religions Islam and Christianity are false interpretations and extensions of Judaism. Judaism is a true religion, but with incomplete revelation. Islam is a false religion. Jews & Christians respected as "People of the Book," but have wrong beliefs, only partial revelation. Means of salvation belief in God, good deeds correct belief, faith, good deeds, sacraments (some Protestants emphasize faith alone) Correct belief, good deeds, Five Pillars Comparing the Religions

What is Islam and how is it related to Judaism and Christianity? Islam = “peace,” “submission” Muslim = “submitter” Not “Mohammedanism” Abraham’s two sons: Isaac  the Hebrews (Judaism  Christianity) Ishmael  the Arabs (Islam) Islam respects the two earlier Abrahamic religions as “Peoples of the Book”

Who was Muhammad b. 570 CE, d. 632 CE Prophet/founder; human, not divine Lived in Arabia, near Mecca Orphaned by age 6, raised by grandfather and uncle Worked as a caravan driver for a woman – Khadija – 15 years his senior Age 25: accepted offer to marry Khadija Sired six children, only one daughter – Fatimah – had children of her own Age 40: Revelation begins 610 CE, continues throughout remainder of the Prophet’s life

What is the Qur’an? Holy book of Islam Revealed to Muhammad by God through angel Gabriel Written piecemeal by scribes during or shortly after Muhammad’s life Compiled as a whole about 20 years after Muhammad’s death Comprised of 114 chapters (called surahs) Other Sources: Hadith and Sunnah (stories, sayings, and traditions of Muhammad)

The Development of Islam Early persecution by Meccans Year 619: wife and uncle both die Year 622: Hijrah - migration to Yathrib (Medina = “City of the Prophet”) (year 1 AH) Success in Medina, defense against Meccan attacks Year 630: Reclaiming of Mecca Year 632: first Muslim pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca, led by Muhammad who died a few months later, having united the Arab tribes under the banner of Islam Within 100 years, spread east toward India and west into north Africa and Spain

Who are Muslims? More than one billion Muslims in the world today Two major groups: Sunni: 80% in many locations throughout the world Shi’ite: 15%, mostly in Iran Difference is political, basic beliefs and practices are the same Sufis are Muslim mystics, come from both Sunni and Shi’ite backgrounds Most Muslims are not Arab and not all Arabs are Muslim

What do Muslims Believe? One God (Allah) Spiritual beings: Angels, Jinn and the Devil (“Iblis,” “Shaitan”) Prophets & Messengers: Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, Muhammad… Holy Books: Torah, Psalms, Gospels, Qur’an Decrements (destiny) – Inshallah (“if God wills”) End Times (eschatology) Resurrection, Judgment day, Heaven & Hell

How is Islam Practiced? The Five Pillars Shahada – Witness: “There is no God but The God (Allah) and Muhammad is the Prophet of God Salat – Prayer, five times every day Zakat – alms giving to the poor and needy Sawm – fasting, sun-up to sun-down during month of Ramadan Hajj – Pilgrimage to Mecca (at least once in a Muslim’s life, if able)

What is the Ka’aba? Located in the center of Mecca Pre-dates Islam (said to have been built by Abraham and Ishmael as an altar to God) Used by pre-Muslim Arabs for worship of their many tribal gods (idols) Year 630: reclaimed by Muhammad, cleansed and rededicated to Allah Center of Islam to this day – place of annual pilgrimage and direction of prayer for Muslims from all corners of the globe

Other Sacred Places The Great Mosque in Mecca The Prophet’s Mosque in Medina The Great Mosque in Mecca The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem

Islam as a Way of Life Shariah (Islamic Law) Based on Qur’an + Hadith and Sunnah Concerned with preserving human dignity through five principles: preservation of life preservation of progeny (family) preservation of intellect (education) preservation of wealth (property) preservation of religion not just for the individual but for the society

What about Jihad? “Struggle” not “Holy War” Struggles in the Holy Land Inner: spiritual and moral struggle between good and evil Outer: struggle to maintain proper social setting according to God’s will Struggles in the Holy Land Palestinian vs. Israeli, not Muslim vs. Jew (political, not religious)