Introduction to Islam
Basic Facts of Islam Islam is the third in succession of the three great monotheistic faiths born in the Middle East (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) Islam is the second largest religion in world (1.2 billion adherents) There is an estimated 940 000 Muslims living in Canada Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world
Indian Ocean Trade
Bazaar
Hejaz Region of Islam s holy places Trade Routes
Bedouin The term Bedu means inhabitant of the desert It refers to an Arab nomadic pastoralist. Tribal Loyalty / Kin Relationships: "I and my brothers against my cousins, I and my brothers and my cousins against the world. Bedouin Proverb
Muhammad b. 570 A.D. in Mecca Trading and religious center Kaaba Led trade caravans through the Hejaz Exposed to diverse people and ideas
Islamic Golden Age (c. 700-1200 A.D.) Literature: Arabian Nights (10 th c.) Medicine: Postmortem Autopsies on Humans Forbidden by Romans Experimental Surgery Germ Theory Disproved Humorism Chemistry Distilled Liquors Perfume An Arabic manuscript describing the eye, dating back to the 12th century
Islam The term Islam means to submit Religion Islam To Submit Follower Muslim One Who Submits
Islam Terms Shahadah: There is no god but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God. Allah: Arabic name for God. It is preferred over other names because it has no gender affiliation and does not have plurality
Beliefs 1. Belief in only One God. He is defined as Eternal, Absolute, Infinite, Compassionate and Merciful, the sole Creator and Provider. 2. Engage only in Righteous Actions in all areas: spiritual, intellectual and physical activity. 3. All God s creation is Muslim. Only humans are given CHOICE to submit (be Muslim) or reject submission to God s will. 4. All children are born without sin and are Muslim. As they grow older, they make their religious CHOICE. 5. God created human beings with a body and soul. The body is a temporal host for this life, whereas the soul is eternal. It is the soul that will survive beyond death. 6. Universality of the call. All Muslims are brothers and equals without any distinction of class, race or tongue. Superiority is only based on the greater fear of God and greater piety.
1 st Pillar: Profession of Faith TWOFOLD: God (Allah) is One (Shahada) Muhammad is the final prophet For Muslims, the Qur an is the ultimate proof of this declaration.
2 nd Pillar: Praying (Salat) Salat is the ritual of prayer Muslims pray five times a day (dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, evening) in the direction of Mecca.
Salat
The Umayyad Mosque
Great Mosque of X ian
Masjid Nabawi (The Prophet s Mosque)
3 rd Pillar: Zakat (Charity) Piety and charity are important aspects of Islam. All Muslims are required to be charitable to those who are less fortunate then themselves.
4 th Pillar: Ramadan (Fasting) Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar. During this month, Muslims will refrain from all food, drink, tobacco, etc., during daylight hours Pregnant women, the elderly, and young children do not have to fast. 2019 = May 5 th to June 4 th Interesting Article: http://www.islamfortoday.com/ramadan09.htm
5 th Pillar: The Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca) Muslims are required to travel to Mecca at least once during their life time. The Pilgrimage is done during the 12 th Lunar Month (Dhul Hijjah). At Mecca, they will perform a variety of rituals involving the Kaaba and the Black Stone. The Pilgrimage was performed by Muhammad at the end of his life.
The Black Stone Close-up
Mosque Muslim place of worship Muslims come together in a mosque for prayers at midday on Friday (Muslim Holy Day) MIHRAB= small arch or hole in wall indicates the direction of the Ka bah in Mecca MINARET= high tower or dome from which a muezzin calls the faithful to prayer WUDU= cleansing process before prayer (water) IMAM= chief officer in the mosque who leads prayers
PROPHET S MOSQUE in Madinah: the first mosque in Islam
Qur an Holy book of Islam which means recitation Records the revealed word of God that came through Angel Gabriel to Muhammad over 23 years Muhammad dictated revelations to scribes and companions who memorized passages It is the only revealed book that has remained intact and unchanged since its revelation (oral tradition) Principle source of Muslim faith and practice Children learn to memorize the Qur an as a child Divided into 114 suras (chapters); longest chapter has 286 verses, the shortest has 3 verses; approximately 78 000 words in length
al-fatihah (The Opening) Qur an 1: 1-7 In the name of Allah, Most Gracious Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, 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 those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose portion is not wrath and who go not astray.
Other Prophets These Prophets are regarded as most significant: Muhammad, Moses, Abraham and Noah Jesus is highly respected and considered as a great prophet by Muslims Qur an re-affirms the miraculous birth and abilities of Jesus Muslims believe in the Second Coming of Jesus before the end of time
Crash Course Islam
Human Equality O humankind! You were created from a single soul, male and female, and made you into peoples and tribes. So that you may know one another. Truly, the most honoured of you in God s sight is the greatest of you in piety. God is All Knowing, All Aware (Qur an 49:13)
Islam and War Like Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self defense, in defense of religion, or on the part of those who have been expelled forcibly from their homes Strict rules for combat, which includes prohibitions against harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees and livestock Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors (Qur an 2:190) And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for God. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against wrongdoers (Qur an 2:193)
Day of Judgment All humans will be bodily resurrected and assembled for final accounting of deeds Soul will move on to afterlife Upon the Final Judgment = world will end and we will stand before God to confront our own life and actions Desire for purified soul= heaven (eternal abode of beauty and majesty) Disbelievers and unpure soul= hell (abode of great torment and anguish)
Jihad Jihad does not mean holy war Literally, jihad means to strive, struggle and exert effort. Concept includes struggle against evil inclinations within oneself, struggle to improve quality of life in society, struggle in the battlefield for self defense or fighting against tyranny or oppression There is no such thing as holy war in Islam, but it is the frequent repetition in the West that many people accept it as if it were a fact
Women s Rights According to Qur an, men and women are equal before God Under Islamic law, women have the right to own property, receive an education and take part in community life Islamic rules for simple, modest and dignified dress applies to women and men equally In many Muslim countries there are cultural practices that are inconsistent and contrary to the authentic teachings of Islam
Islam: Controversial Issues Polygamy Jihad vs. Holy War Hijab : liberation or suppression Muhammad Cartoons: freedom of speech vs freedom of religion Appeal of Suicide Bombers Afghanistan's Taliban War on Islam