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Download 1 | Page History To Muslims, Islam is the “natural religion.” Islam was
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Islam History To Muslims, Islam is the “natural religion.” Islam was the religion of Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus. “Muslim” is what everyone would be if each were left to his or her own natural inclinations. Islam begins with the Prophet Muhammad. Born in 570 A.D. near Mecca in Arabia, he was orphaned early and was passed between relatives during his early years. As a gifted administrator, he was employed as a camel caravan organizer by a wealthy widow named Khadija. Though fifteen years his senior, he would later marry her. At the age of forty, while meditating in a cave outside of Mecca, he encountered an angel who called himself Gabriel and who forced him to “recite” specific pronouncements, which marked the beginning point of the Quran (which means recitation), Islam’s sacred scriptures. These “Recitations” were unpopular at first because they condemned polytheism, materialism, and immorality. Muhammad warned that the judgment of Allah – the One True God – would fall upon the people if they did not turn from their immorality and worship Allah alone. Few were interested. Persecution broke out against Muhammad and his followers to such an extent that by 622 he and his followers (about 100 families) were forced to move to a neighboring town called Yathrib (known today as Medina). This journey is called the Hijra, and it is from this point that Muslims begin their calendar. In Medina, Muhammad developed a devoted following and united the tribes of Arabia. In 628 he returned to Mecca and after several successful sieges and military victories against Mecca, and following making treaties with the Quraysh tribe, Muhammad and his army took control of Mecca in 630 without a further struggle. He subsequently burned the pagan idols in the shrine known as Ka’ba (a cubical structure that, at the time of Muhammed, contained 360 deities worshiped by the Arabian tribes). After its cleansing, this shrine became the central worship location for the world’s Muslims. Eventually he would unify all the tribes of the Arabian Peninsula under the religion of Islam. On June 8, 632, Muhammed died. Sects of Islam Upon Muhammad’s death there was controversy concerning a successor. One group favored appointing Ali, Muhammad’s designated heir. This group became known as “the party of Ali” (in Arabic the “Shi’at Ali”), known today as the “Shi’ites,” who constitute approximately 12 percent of Muslims. The majority, however, felt that the most qualified person should lead regardless of heritage. This group was named for its belief that the “path” stablished by Muhammad should be maintained. These “Sunnis” prevailed, and Muhammad’s first successor was Abu Bakr, his uncle and father of his favorite wife A’isha. Sunnis now comprise around 85% of the world’s Muslim population. Sufism is the mystical third wing of Islam. The goal of the Sufi is to renounce worldly attachments and experience God personally through mystic communal practices. 1|Page Beliefs The term “Islam” means “submission” to the will of God, and the person who submits is called a “Muslim.” God. The central doctrine of Islam is that God is one and no partner is to be associated with Him. To associate a partner with God is to commit the sin of shirk, for which there is not forgiveness. Because of this, the doctrine of the Trinity is offensive to Muslims. Allah is the creator of all things. He is absolutely sovereign over the affairs of all humans. He is loving – to those who love him. He is merciful – toward those who exercise compassion toward others. Angels. In the gap between God and humans exists a hierarchy of angels. The archangel Gabriel is of the highest rank, succeeded by the rest of angels. Each person has two angels assigned to him or her, one to record the person’s good deeds and the other to record the bad deeds. The Day of Judgment. There will be a day when all will stand before God in judgment. On that day, each person’s deeds will be weighed in the balance. Those whose good deeds outweigh their bad deeds will be rewarded with Paradise; and those whose bad deeds outweigh their good will be judged to hell. Whether one’s good deeds outweigh one’s bad deeds is a subjective matter known only by God. As a result, a Muslim has no assurance that he or she will be accepted by God. Practices (The Five Pillars) Testify. The Arabic word shahadah means “to bear witness.” When reciting it, one says “I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger.” Saying it with sincerity is all it takes to become a Muslim. The first phrase is a declaration of absolute monotheism; an adamant refusal to practice any form of idolatry. The second phrase is an acknowledgement that Muhammad was a true prophet, and his life is to be a model for all. To Pray (Salat). A Muslim has five times of prayer per day – dawn, noon, midafternoon, dusk, and two hours after sunset. Muslims pray either individually or in a group. They must wash themselves in a prescribed manner before praying. When they pray, they must face toward Mecca. The noon service on Friday is the only time when Muslims are expected to gather together at the mosque. Fast. In commemoration of Muhammad’s receiving the Quran during the ninth lunar month of Ramadan, Muslims are expected to fast during the daylight hours that month. During the fast, they must abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations. After sundown, Muslims are allowed to partake of all those things again until sunrise. To Give Alms. Muslims are commanded to give one-fortieth (2.5%) of their income primarily to the poor and needy. To Make Pilgrimage (Hajj). Every Muslim must make the trip to Mecca at least once during his or her lifetime, provided he or she is able with respect to health and finances. Each pilgrim wears a white garment which is to have the effect of eliminating all class or status distinctions during the Hajj. Circling the Ka’ba seven times and then proceeding to visit several sacred sites in and around Mecca. After the pilgrimage, the pilgrim is entitled to be referred to as a Hajj. 2|Page