Download Religions of the World Islam

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Words From The Quran
• " Your Lord has commanded that you
worship none but Him, and be kind to
parents. If either or both of them reach
old age with you, do not rebuke them,
but speak to them in terms of honor and
kindness. Treat them with humility, and
say, 'My Lord! Have mercy on them, for
they did care for me when I was little'."
Quran- 17:23-4
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• Allah The Supreme Being. The name of God.
• Hadith [ha-deeth] The sacred sayings of
Muhammad, handed down by oral tradition
and finally written down.
• Hajj [haag] Pilgrimage to Mecca. One of
the five pillars of the Islamic faith.
• Hijrah [hige-ruh] Muhammad's flight from
Mecca to Medina in 622 A.D.
• Islam "submission to the will of Allah"
• Koran (Qur'an) The inspired word of God
given to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel.
• Makkah The birthplace of Muhammad, and
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the holy city of Islam.
• Medina [muh-dee-nuh] Holy city named for
Muhammad after he fled there in 622 A.D.
• Muhammad Prophet and founder of Islam.
Born around 570 A.D., died 632 A.D.
• Muslim Followers of Muhammad. It literally
means one who submits to the will of Allah.
• Mosque Islamic place of worship.
• Muezzlin Muslim caller who announces the
hour of prayer.
• Peace Be Upon Him An expression used by
Muslims to show respect and reverence to all
prophets of Allah. Muslims usually say it just
after mentioning the name of Prophets.
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• Ramadan [ram-uh-dahn] The ninth and one of the
most sacred month of the Muslim year. It is the
month in which Holy Quran was revealed to
prophet Muhammad. It is now considered as a
month of fasting.
• Salat [suh-lot] Muslim daily prayer ritual. One of
the five pillars of Islam.
• Shi'ites Muslim sect which insists that
Muhammad's son-in-law 'Ali was Muhammad's
rightful successor.
• Sufi [soo-fee] A Muslim mystic and/or ascetic.
• Sunnites Largest Muslim sect which acknowledges
all of Muhammad's successors.
• Surahs What the chapters of the Qur'an are called.
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• The word Islam means "submission to
God".
• The Holy Quran describes Islam as an
Arabic word Deen (way of life).
• The followers of Islam are called Muslims.
• The literal meaning of Muslim is "one who
surrenders" or "submits" to the will of God.
• According to Quran, those who submit to
one God are Muslims.
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• Islam is the religion of all the prophets from
Adam to Noah to Abraham to Moses, Jesus
and Mohammad.
• Quran also declares that all the prophets
who came before Mohammad and their
followers were all Muslims.
• The origin of Islam dates back to the
creation of the world.
• Before the birth of Prophet Mohammad
(Peace Be Upon Him), the Arab society
believed in multiple Gods.
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• Although the Arabs believed in the unity of
God, but they also claimed that God has
entrusted His duties to various gods,
goddesses and idols. For this purpose, they
had more than 360 idols.
• They considered angels as the daughters of
God.
• They were ignorant of social values.
• They were nomadic people who were
dependent on cattle for their living.
• There was no government or law. All power
existed with the rich.
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• The society was full of barbarity and
brutality.
• Tribes fought with each other over trivial
matters for centuries. A slight argument
over horses or water could lead to the
slaughtering of thousands of innocent
people.
• It was the birth of Prophet Mohammad in
570 A.D in the city of Makkah which
brought a revolution to the entire fate of the
nomadic Arabs
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• He became famous among the people of Makkah
at a very early age because of his allegiance and
reliability. He was widely known as Al-Ameen
(honest, trustworthy.)
• At the age of 40, when Mohammad was meditating
at Mt. Hera, he received a revelations from God.
The angel Gabriel said to him, "Iqra" which means
"to read". Mohammad replied "I cannot read".
Gabriel embraced and released him. Then the first
five verses of God was revealed to him which said,
"Recite in the name of your Lord who created! He
created man, out of a (mere) cloth of congealed
blood. Recite; and thy Lord is most bountiful. He
who had taught by the pen, taught man what he
knew not." (96:1-5)
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• Mohammad started proclaiming the message
of believing in one God. The people who once
called him "Trustworthy" and "Honest"
boycotted and plotted to kill him. In 622
A.D., due to worsening living conditions and
social isolation, Prophet Mohammad
migrated to Medina along with his followers.
• During the next few years, a series of battles
were fought between various tribes of
Makkah and the Muslims of Medina. In 628
A.D, the Treaty of Hudaibiyah was signed
between the two parties. Truce was declared
for 10 years.
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• The treaty was broken in 629 A.D by the nonMuslims of the Makkans. Mohammad moved
towards Makkah with 10,000 men and the battle
was won without a single bloodshed. Mohmmad
died in 632 A.D , at the age of 63 in the city of
Medina. Mohammad's death brought a huge
catastrophe among Muslims. People could not
believe that Mohammad had left them forever.
Many of the followers were perplexed and
distraught, and claimed him to be still living. At
that time Mohammad funeral, Abu Bakr [uh-boobeck-er] , who was the most respected of all the
followers affirmed that, "O people, those of you
who worshipped Mohammad, Mohammad has
died. And those of you who worshipped God, God
is still living." .
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• Abu Bakr [uh-boo-beck-er] was chosen as
the first Caliph [ kay-lif ], (leader). Before
his death in 634 A.D., Umar ibn ul Khattab
was appointed as his successor.
• During the ten years of his rule, Muslims
conquered 22 hundred thousands miles of
area (Mesopotamia and parts of Persia were
taken from the Sassanids [suh-sah-nid],
Empire (Iranian Dynasty), and Egypt, Palestine,
Syria, North Africa and Armenia from the
Byzantine Empire.
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• He was devoted and committed to his people
and established an empire of peace, justice
and dignity.
• The teachings of Islam started to spread
through love. The principle of equality
among all the people irrespective of race,
color, caste, and creed won the hearts of the
people. Within a few years, a lot of people
accepted the message of Islam. By the tenth
century, Islam dominated the half of the
world known at that time.
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• Mahatma [muh-haht-muh] Gandhi , in his
unique style, says "Some one has said that
Europeans in South Africa dread the advent
Islam - Islam that civilized Spain, Islam that
took the torch light to Morocco and preached
to the world the Gospel of brotherhood. The
Europeans of South Africa dread the Advent
of Islam. They may claim equality with the
white races. They may well dread it, if
brotherhood is a sin. If it is equality of
colored races then their dread is well
founded."
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• "It was the first religion that preached and
practiced democracy; for, in the mosque,
when the call for prayer is sounded and
worshippers are gathered together, the
democracy of Islam is embodied five times a
day when the peasant and king kneel side by
side and proclaim: 'God Alone is Great'... I
have been struck over and over again by this
indivisible unity of Islam that makes man
instinctively a brother."
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• The teachings of Quran and Hadith (sayings of
Prophet Mohammad) revolves around two Arabic
word namely, Emaan (Faith) and Amaal (Acts).
• Emaan is like the roots of a tree and Amaal are the
stems, leaves or other parts of it. Just as without the
roots, the tree cannot survive, similarly, without
faith, the acts are useless.
• Quran is comprised of 114 Surahs [soo r-uh]
(chapters) and 6236 Ayats (ä'yät‘ I’ yacht)
(verses). Quran was preserved through writing and
memorization. Undoubtedly, today Quran is the
only book which is fully memorized by more than
10 million people all over the world.
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• 6 articles of faith
• 1. God --- Islam preaches that there is only
one Supreme, Eternal, Infinite and
Unparallel entity, Allah (God). He alone is
the creator of all the universe. Quran
declares "That is God, your Lord. There is no
god but Him, the Creator of everything. So
worship Him. He is responsible for
everything." (6:102)
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• 2. Angels --- Muslims believe in angels. They
are comprised of light, and each have
different purposes. Angel Gabriel brought
the divine message to Mohammad. Two
angels (Kiraaman and Katibeen) are assigned
to record the actions of the human beings;
one records good deeds, the other bad deeds.
The angel of death (Azrael) takes the soul out
of the body. Angels Munkir and Nakir
questions each person in the grave.
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• 3. Scriptures --- It refers to believing in all
the four books; the Torah (Moses), the
Psalms (David), the Gospel (Jesus) and the
Quran (Mohammad). Muslims also believe
that all other books are alteration with time
by its followers. Muslims believe that Quran
is the only book which can never be distorted
as God has himself taken the responsibility
of its protection, "We have, without doubt,
sent down the Message; and We will assuredly
guard it (from corruption)." (15:9)
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• 4. Prophets --- It is obligatory on every
Muslim to believe in all the messengers from
Adam to Mohammad without any
discrimination. Quran treats all the prophets
equally, "Say (O Muslims), we believe in Allah
and that which is revealed unto us and that
which was revealed unto Abraham, and
Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes,
and that which Moses and Jesus received, and
that which the Prophets received from their
Lord. We make no distinction between any of
them, and unto Him we have surrendered."
(2:136)
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• 5. Resurrection --- Muslims have faith that
after the end of the world, every human will
be resurrected from the grave. They will be
held accountable for whatever they have
done in their lives. The day is known as the
Day of Judgment. On this day, justice will be
done to every individual soul. The innocent
ones will stay in Heaven, whereas, the
corrupted ones will go to hell. Quran testifies
it by saying, " This day We seal up mouths,
and hands speak out and feet bear witness as
to what they used to earn." (36:65)
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• 6. Divine Creed --- It is one of the main aspect of
Islam. Believing in divine creed refers to
predestination. Muslims believe that unlike living
beings, God is not limited to anything; even with
time. Everything that has happened, is happening,
or will happen is evident to Him. Living beings are
being given a free choice to do whatever they want
to do, but God knows what choice they will make.
It must also be clear that God's knowing does not
restrict anyone from making a free choice. Quran
proclaims, " Knowest thou not that Allah knows all
that is in heaven and on earth? Indeed it is all in a
Record, and that is easy for Allah."
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• 5 Pillars of Faith each Muslin performs to
demonstrate his or her faith.
• 1. Testimony of Faith (Kalima)
• One must state, "There is no god, but Allah, and
Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah." It consists of
three parts
• a) To reject all the false gods.
• b) To accept Allah as the only sole creator of
everything.
• c) To Mohammad as the last messenger of Allah.
• Quran declares, "Say: He is Allah, the One and
Only! Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not
nor is He begotten. And there is none like unto Him.
"
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2. Prayer (Salat) --- It is compulsory for every Muslim
to pray five times a day at respective timings facing
towards the direction of Mecca. During the prayer,
Muslims narrate verses from the Holy Quran, specially
the following prayer which is recited at least 17 time a
day,
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"All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, The
Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, and Sovereign of the
Day of Judgment. It is You alone we worship and You
alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path; The
path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of
those who have evoked Your anger or of those who are
astray." (1:1-7)
• Quran tells about those who will get eternal success by
stating that, "Certainly will the believers have succeeded,
they who are doing their prayer humbly submissive"
(23:1-2)
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3. Almsgiving (Zakat)
The word Zakat means "to grow" or "to purify".
It literally means to gain Allah's blessings and
purify the wealth by helping the needy. It is
mandatory on every Muslim to give 2.5% of their
yearly savings (or excess money) for charity.
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Quran emphasizes the importance of zakat on
various occasions, "Alms are for the poor and the
needy, and those employed to administer the (funds);
for those whose hearts have been (recently)
reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in
debt; in the cause of Allah. and for the wayfarer:
(thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of
knowledge and wisdom." (9:60)
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4. Fasting (Sawm)
Following zakat, every Muslim is required to fast during
the month of Ramadan from sunrise to sunset. During this
period, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink, smoke or have
an intercourse. It not only physical discipline in one's life,
but it is also a way to feel the afflictions of the poor.
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Quranic verses explain fasting in detail,
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"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was
prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) selfrestraint" (2:183)
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"Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the
Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for
guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every
one of you who is present (at his home) during that month
should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey,
the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. Allah
intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to
difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period,
and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance
ye shall be grateful." (2:185)
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5. Pilgrimage (Hajj) Hajj literally means to "set out for
place". For Muslim, it is a pilgrimage to Kaaba (House of Allah)
in Makkah. It is the responsibility of every physically and
financially able Muslim to perform this offering at least once in a
lifetime. Hajj is performed on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah (the
12th and the final month of the Islamic calendar). Hajj is the
symbol of unity among the Muslims. Millions of believers from all
over the world participate in the ritual irrespective of their caste,
color, creed or tradition. It tears down the difference of social
status and brings all the Muslims on one platform. During this
occasion, men only wear two unstitched clothes; one covers the
lower part, and the other is wrapped around the shoulders.
Women wear simple white dress and headscarf.
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Allah says in the Holy Quran, "For Hajj are the months well
known. If any one undertakes that duty therein, Let there be no
obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj. And whatever
good ye do, (be sure) Allah knoweth it. And take a provision (With
you) for the journey, but the best of provisions is right conduct. So
fear Me, o ye that are wise." (2:197)
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Mohammad was born in 570 A.D in the city of
Makkah. The name Mohammad itself means
"Highly Praised".
• His father, Abdullah, died before his birth and his
mother, Amina, died when he was only six.
• Mohammad's parental grandfather, Abdul Al
Muttalib, the most respected leader of Makkah,
took care of him until he died when Mohammad
was eight
• God, the Almighty, reminds Mohammed of his
blessing in the Holy Quran, "Did God not find you
an orphan and give you shelter and care? And he
found you wandering, and gave you guidance. And
he found you in need, and made you independent."
(93:6-8)
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At the age of twelve, Mohammad started
working as a trader. Soon he became very
famous because of his loyalty and reliability
When he was twenty-five, Khadijah, a
forty-year-old rich merchant widow
proposed to him. He accepted the proposal
after considering the advice of his uncle.
Mohammad disliked the worshipping of
idols. He was influenced by the Hanefites, a
group of people who rejected idol
worshipping. He spent much of his time at
Mt. Hera praying to God.
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It was in 610 A.D at Mt. Hera when angel Gabriel
appeared and revealed to him the message of God.
As Prophet Mohammad started proclaiming the
concept of believing in one God, the people started
getting against him.
After the death of Khadijah and Abu Talib in 619
A.D, the people of Makkah plotted to kill
Mohammad on various occasion. He sought refuge
to protect his life.
Prophet Mohammad kept on proclaiming the word
of God. In a few years, the city of Makkah was
conquered without a single bloodshed.
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"Head of the state as well as the Church, he
was Caesar and Pope in one; but, he was
pope without the pope's claims, and Caesar
without the legions of Caesar, without a
standing army, without a bodyguard,
without a palace, without a fixed revenue. If
ever any man had the right to say that he
ruled by a Right Divine, it was Mohammad,
for he had all the power without instruments
and without its support. He cared not for
dressing of power. The simplicity of his
private life was in keeping with his public
life."
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"He (Mohammad) had not studied
philosophy in the school of Athens of Rome,
Persia, India, or China. Yet, He could
proclaim the highest truths of eternal value
to mankind. Illiterate himself, he could yet
speak with an eloquence and fervor which
moved men to tears, to tears of ecstasy. Born
an orphan blessed with no worldly goods, he
was loved by all. He had studied at no
military academy; yet he could organize his
forces against tremendous odds and gained
victories through the moral forces which he
marshaled. Gifted men with genius for
preaching are rare
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