Download What is Sunni Islam?

Name:
Date:
Kite Runner #4.5
Islam Overview
Islam is a monotheistic religion (belief in only one God) based on revelations received by the Prophet Muhammad in
the 7th century, which were later recorded in the Qur'an (Koran), Islam's sacred text. The faith spread rapidly and today
Islam is the second largest religion in the world. The Arabic word islam means "submission," reflecting the religion's
central tenet of submitting to the will of God. Islamic practices are defined by the Five Pillars of Islam: faith, prayer,
fasting, pilgrimage and alms.
Important note: Muslim beliefs differ between sects and individual believers. Those listed below are believed by the majority of Muslims, but
not all.
Date founded: 622 CE
Place founded: Mecca, Saudi Arabia (in the Middle
East)
Founder: Muhammad (born c.570), a trade merchant
from Arabia
Adherents/Believers: 1.3 billion
Size rank: second largest in the world
Main location: Middle East and North Africa
Major sects and denominations
Sunni and Shiite
Twelvers - Majority Shi'ite denomination
that reveres the Twelve Imams
Seveners - Shi'ite denomination holding
that the legitimate line of imams ended with
the seventh
Sufi is a mystical branch
Sacred text: Qur'an (Koran)
Original language: Arabic
Religious professionals: sheikh; imam (Shi'ite)
House of worship: mosque
Ultimate reality: God (Allah in Arabic); the same God
revealed (imperfectly) in the Jewish and Christian
Bibles
Type of theism: strict monotheism (belief in one
God)
Human nature: Born in a state of purity, imperfect yet
capable of seeking God and doing good
Purpose of life: Submit to the will of Allah and attain
paradise after death
How to live: Follow the Qur'an, Hadith and Five
Pillars of Islam
Afterlife: Resurrection of body and soul followed by
eternal paradise or hell (see Muslim Beliefs about the
Afterlife)
Symbols: crescent moon and star
Major holidays
Ramadan - month long
Eid al-Fitr - Festival of Breaking the Fast
Hijra - week long; begins 1 Muharram
Eid al-Adha - Festival of Sacrifice
Five Pillars
1. Confession of faith (shahada)
2. Daily prayer (salat)
3. Alms tax (zakat)
4. Pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj)
5. Fasting during Ramadan (sawm)
Twelve Imams
1. Ali
2. Al-Hasan
3. al-Husain
4. Ali Zayn al-Abidin
5. Muhammad al-Baqir
6. Ja'far al-Sadiq
7. Musa al-Kazim
8. Ali al-Rida
9. Muhammad al-Taqi
10. Ali al-Naqi
11. al-Hasan al-Askari
12. Muhammad al-Mahdi
Who is Muhammad?
According to Muslim belief, the angel Gabriel appeared to Muhammad, a camel driver, in a mountain cave and delivered
a message from the one true God. The Prophet Muhammad dedicated the remainder of his life to spreading a message
of monotheism in a polytheistic world. His life's work is recorded in the Qur'an, the sacred text of Islam.
In 622 AD, the Prophet fled north to the city of Medina to escape growing persecution. This event is celebrated by
Muslims as the hijira ("flight") and marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar (622 AD = 1 AH).
1
Name:
Date:
Kite Runner #4.5
Eight years later, Muhammad returned to Mecca with an army and defeated it easily. By Muhammad's death, 50 years
later, the entire Arabian Peninsula had come under Muslim control.
The word "Islam" means "submission," reflecting the religion's central tenet of submitting to the will of God. Islamic
practices center on the Five Pillars of Islam: confession of faith, daily prayer, fasting during
Ramadan, pilgrimageand charity.
What is the Quran?
The sacred text of Islam, the Qur'an, was written in Arabic within 30 years of Muhammad's death. Muslims believe it
contains the literal word of God as gradually revealed to Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel over the course of 20 years.
Also important is the tradition of the sayings and actions of the Prophet and his Companions, collected in the hadith.
What is the Hadith?
Hadith (Arabic for "narrative" or "report") is Islamic tradition: it is a record of the words and deeds of the Prophet
Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
Although not regarded as the spoken Word of God like the Qur'an, Hadith is an important source of doctrine, law,
and practice. It is "revered in Islam as a major source of religious law and moral guidance" {1} and has been studied in
Muslim religious colleges since the Middle Ages by both male and female scholars. {2}
What is the Purpose of Life in Islam?
For a Muslim, the purpose of life is to live in a way that is pleasing to Allah so that one may gain Paradise. It is
believed that at puberty, an account of each person's deeds is opened, and this will be used at the Day of Judgment to
determine his eternal fate. The Qur'an also suggests a doctrine of divine predestination. {1}
The Muslim doctrine of salvation is that unbelievers (kuffar, literally "those who are ungrateful") and sinners will be
condemned, but genuine repentance results in Allah's forgiveness and entrance into Paradise upon death.
What are Faith and Works in Salvation in the Quran?
The Qur'an teaches the necessity of both faith and good works for salvation:
He it is Who sends blessings on you, as do His angels, that He may bring you out from the depths of Darkness
intoLight: and He is Full of Mercy to the Believers. (33:43)
In the case of those who say, "Our Lord is Allah," and, further, stand straight and steadfast, the angels descend on them
(from time to time): "Fear ye not!" (they suggest), "Nor grieve! but receive the Glad Tidings of the Garden (of Bliss),
that which ye were promised!" (41:30)
What is Sunni Islam?
With 940 million adherents out of about 1.1 billion Muslims, Sunni Islam is the largest Islamic sect. Followers of the
Sunni tradition are known as Sunnis or Sunnites. Sunnis have their historical roots in the majority group who followed
Abu Bakr, an effective leader, as Muhammad's successor instead of the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law Ali. The Sunnis
are so named because they believe themselves to follow the sunnah ("custom" or "tradition") of the Prophet.
2
Name:
Date:
Kite Runner #4.5
Some general statistics: Algeria is nearly 99% Sunni (Sunni Islam is the state religion), Afghanistan is 80% Sunni.
Contrastingly, Iraq is only about 45-60% Sunni, who are concentrated mostly in the central and northern parts of the
country.
Sunnis view Shi'ites as from the ahlul-bidah — the people of innovation. Sunnis oppose Shi'ite beliefs concerning some
of the companions of the Prophet, the belief in the Imamate and difference on the Caliphate, and others. Other groups
considered to be outside Islam by Sunnis are Nation of Islam, Ahmadiyya, and Ismailis.
*In The Kite Runner, the Pashtun ethnic group follows Sunni Islamic principles. This includes Amir and his dad, Baba.
What is Shia Islam?
Shia Islam encompasses most Muslims who are not counted among the Sunni. The division between Sunni and Shi'a,
dates to the death of the Prophet Muhammad when his followers were faced with the decision of who would be his
successor as the leader of Islam. Shi'ites are those who followed Ali, the closest relative of Muhammad, as Muhammad's
successor. Today there are approximately 120 million Shi'ite Muslims in the world.
The Shia consist of one major school of thought known as the Jafaryia or the "Twelvers," and a few minor schools of
thought, as the "Seveners" or the "Fivers." These names all refer to the number of imams they recognize after the death
of Muhammad. The term Shi'a is usually meant to be synonymous with the Jafaryia/Twelvers.
*In The Kite Runner, the Hazara ethnic group follows Shia Islamic principles. This includes Hassan and his dad, Ali.
What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
The Five Pillars of Islam (Arabic arkan ud-Din, "pillars of the faith") are the five religious duties expected of every
Muslim. The five pillars are mentioned individually throughout the Qur'an and Muhammad listed them together in
the Hadith when he was asked to define Islam.
Within a few decades of Muhammad's death, the five practices were singled out to serve as anchoring points in the
Muslim community and designated "pillars." Fulfillment of the Five Pillars is believed to bring rewards both in this life
and in the afterlife.
The pillars are acknowledged and observed by all sects of Muslims, although Shi'ites add further obligatory duties,
including: jihad, payment of the imam's tax, the encouragement of good deeds and the prevention of evil.
The Five Pillars of Islam are:
1.
2.
3.
Daily confession of faith (shahada): The first act of worship is the declaration that "There is no deity except
God and Muhammad is the messenger of God." Muslims repeat this statement many times a day during their
prayers. If someone wants to become a Muslim, he or she makes this profession of faith as an entry into Islam.
Daily ritual prayer (salat): Islam prescribes a brief prayer or ritual worship five times a day: at dawn, noon,
late afternoon, sunset and night. Muslims perform ablution before prayer -- a brief prescribed washing of the
hands, mouth, nose, face, arms and feet. One may pray alone or in a group in any clean location, including a
mosque. The Friday noon prayer is special to Muslims and is done in a mosque if possible. Muslims face in the
direction of Mecca when they pray.
Paying the alms tax/charity (zakat): Muslims are required to give to the poor and needy. Islam prescribes an
obligatory charity, known as zakat, based on two and a half percent of one's income and wealth. In addition to
3
Name:
4.
Date:
Kite Runner #4.5
this prescribed charity, Muslims are encouraged to give as much as they can in voluntary charity throughout the
year.
Fasting during the month of Ramadan (sawm): Muslims are required to fast from dawn to sunset during
the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar. People gather in the evenings for a festive
breaking of the fast. When fasting, Muslims refrain from food, liquid, and sexual activity. During Ramadan,
Muslims are also supposed to abstain from negative behaviors such as lying, gossip, petty arguments, and
negative thoughts or behaviors, including getting angry. Muslims are required to start fasting when they reach
puberty, although some younger children may also fast. People who are sick, traveling, menstruating, and
pregnant or nursing may break their fast, but may make up the days later in the year. The elderly and people
with disabilities are excused from fasting. Ramadan was the month in which the revelation of the Quran to
Muhammad began. Therefore Muslims are encouraged to read the Quran during this month and often gather
in the evenings in mosques to listen to recitations from the Quran.
Eid al-Fitr (eed' al fi'-ter), or the "Festival of the Fast-Breaking," one of the major Muslim holidays, celebrates
the completion of the Ramadan fast and occurs on the first day of the month after Ramadan. This is a day of
celebration, prayers, feasts and gift giving.
5.
Pilgrimmage to Mecca (hajj): Every Muslim is required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca, located in Saudi
Arabia, once in their lifetime if financially and physically able. Mecca is home to the first house of worship of
God, the Kaaba, said to have been built by the prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael. Muslims all over the
world face towards the Kaaba when they pray. All outward symbols of rank and wealth are erased during the
pilgrimage, as Muslim from every part of the globe come together for the purpose of worshipping God.
Muslims who complete the pilgrimage are referred to as "Hajji" and greeted with great celebration and respect
in their communities when they return.
Eid al-Adha (eed' al ad'-ha), or the "Festival of the Sacrifice," is the second major holiday in Islam. It falls on
the tenth day of the month at the conclusion of the pilgrimage, and is celebrated by all Muslims with special
prayers, feasts, gifts and the sacrifice of an animal (usually a lamb or goat). The meat is distributed to relatives,
friends and the needy. Eid al-Adha marks the completion of the hajj (pilgrimage) rites at Mina, Saudi Arabia,
but is also observed by Muslims throughout the world to commemorate the faith of Ibrahim (Abraham).
What are daily life expectations of Muslims?
Islam contains many rules for daily life and human relationships. The first source of these rules is the Quran and the
second is the hadith or reports of the prophet Muhammad's words or actions.

Prohibitions: In Islam, everything considered harmful either to the body, mind, soul or society is prohibited
(haram), while whatever is beneficial is permissible (halal). Islam prohibits Muslims from consuming pork,
alcohol or mind-altering drugs. Muslims are required to eat meat that is butchered and blessed in an Islamic
way. This meat is called "halal." Muslims are also prohibited from gambling, taking interest, fortune-telling,
killing, lying, stealing, cheating, oppressing or abusing others, being greedy or stingy, engaging in sex outside of
marriage, disrespecting parents, and mistreating relatives, orphans or neighbors.

Role of clergy: There is no hierarchy of clergy in Islam, nor do Muslim religious leaders have the power to
forgive people of their sins. Every individual has a direct relationship with God without any intermediary.
There are religious leaders or scholars, called ulema, who have studied and are experts in different aspects of
Islam, such as Sharia, hadith, or Quranic recitation. It is also important to note that there is not one Islamic
authority; so there are differences among Muslim scholars.
4
Name:

Date:
Kite Runner #4.5
Conversion to Islam: Muslims are encouraged to share their faith with others. However, Muslims are told not
to attack others' beliefs or engage in conflicts or debates about matters of religion. There is no formal
ceremony for conversion. People must merely believe in and recite the shahada to convert to Islam.
What is the ‘typical’ role of women in Islam?
Contrary to how popular culture portrays Muslim women's rights and privileges, Islam gives women many rights,
including the right to inherit, to work outside the home, and to be educated. As in all cultures and communities, these
rights are often violated. This is the result of the intersection of Islam with existing cultural norms, which may reflect
male-dominated societies. In Muslim communities, women often have a strong influence in the family, the workplace,
the religion and society in general. This section provides an overview of women's roles and rights in several areas.

Marriage: Since men and women are not supposed to date, parents arrange marriages in some Muslim
countries. However, the ultimate decision lies with the prospective couple. In Western countries, prospective
spouses usually meet in a family setting or a public place, and often choose their partner on their own, although
they still seek the approval of their parents.
Marriage in Islam is a mutual contract between a man and a woman to live together according to the teachings
of Islam and to bring up their children in their faith. According to Islamic law, the man is completely
responsible for taking care of his wife's and children's financial needs. A woman's earnings are hers to spend as
she chooses, although she may contribute to the expenses of the household if she wishes.

Family Life: The family is considered extremely important in Islam. The Muslim family encompasses the
entire circle of familial relationships, including in-laws. Obligations to parents and other relatives are strongly
stressed. Extended family often live in the same house or neighborhood, and even when they do not, the family
is quite close emotionally.

Public Life: Muslim women are permitted to participate in all walks of life as long as their modesty is not
affected. Muslim women have the right to be educated, work outside the home, and contribute to society.
Because of the influence of mothers on their children, it becomes even more important that women be
educated.

Modesty: Both men and women are expected to present themselves in a manner that emphasizes modesty.
Hijab or covering, for example, is so that women's sexuality will not become a source of temptation or enter
into their interactions with men. Many Muslim women view hijab as liberating them from the male gaze. Men
are also required to behave and dress modestly. The dress varies for women and men from culture to culture,
and according to individual beliefs.

Relations between Men and Women: Islam requires that Muslim men and women observe modesty in their
interactions. Muslim men and women should relate as brothers and sisters, and avoid any interaction that might
lead to sexual or romantic activity prior to marriage. Although this prohibition is often affected by Westernized
ideas, Islam requires that both men and women remain chaste until marriage.
5