Download Islam: Submission to Allah

ISLAM
FACTS OF ISLAM
Fastest growing religion
in world; 1.2 billion
Muslims
(http://btw.imb.org/news_map.asp)
Islam= entering into
peace with God through
submission to Him
Muslim= one who
submits
MUHAMMAD
• Born 571 AD, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
 Orphan by age 6, raised by grandfather, then uncle
 Age 25: managed a wealthy woman’s businesses (Khadija).
Impressed by his honesty and integrity, she married him
 He becomes rich & respected, but wealth does not bring
satisfaction and spends time at Mt. Hira
 Often sought solitude in desert
 He has vision of Archangel Gabriel who calls him to be a
prophet of the “One True God- Allah”
 Last and greatest of prophets: Moses, Jesus, Muhammad (People
of the Book, monotheism)
 5 Pillars of Faith: Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Saum, Hajj
THE FIVE PILLARS
HEGIRA:
THE FLIGHT TO MEDINA
After vision, preaches on street. Wife and uncle
die in 619AD, and he is exiled 622AD
• Wealthy business people don’t like his
religious tenants:
 Against polytheism: but was a source of
income
 Humanity is equal: threatens rigid social
structure of upper class exploiting poor
 Strict moral code: no murder, smuggling,
drinking alcohol, degrading women
Leaving Mecca to Medina begins Islamic
calendar, increase in numbers of Muslims
THE SPREAD OF ISLAM
Muhammad sends letters to
leaders of other nations
commanding them to convert and
follow the knowledge of God
Returns to Mecca, smashes
idols around Ka’ba- victory at
Badr
Has a vision while resting near the
Ka’ba- In vision he is taken to
Jerusalem & Mt. Moriah (Dome
of the Rock) by angel Gabriel,
where he ascends into heaven and
is given the “supreme treasury of
knowledge” from God Himself.
The Qur’an
Marries 9 women, has
sons (all die), daughter
Fatima survivesmarries “cousin” Ali
and is given authority
from Muhammad for
his last will (Shi’ia)
Creates division
between Shi’ite and
Sunni sects
(Caliph/generals in
Muham-mad’s army) in
Islam
Dies of an illness and
is buried in Medina,
632AD
THE QUR’AN (KORAN)
• The exact words revealed by God to Muhammad
• Memorized by Muhammad, written by scribes
• Not one word in the 114 Sutras (chapters) has been changed
since 640AD
• Hadith: reliable transmissions of the practice and example of
Muhammad’s life as he lived out his faith
• Tafsir: explanations of the Qur’an by Arabic scholars
Sayings:
“God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others”
“None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for
himself ”
“He who eats his fill while his neighbor goes without food is not a believer”
JIHAD AND SHARI’A
Jihad
Shari’a
“To make an effort”
The law of the ‘umma (community)
and individuals
-how to live a righteous life
-both political and religious law
-Leaders were caliphs (successor of
the Prophet), Imams(descendants of
the Prophet to Shi’ites),
Ayatullahs(experts in Qur’an or
individuals who are examples to
imitate)
Greater Jihad: fulfillment of a
personal goal or overcoming the
wrongdoing in oneself
Lesser Jihad: fighting in defense of
Muslims who are under attack
Jihad should not break the limits set
in the Qur’an or the Hadith (pg. 185)