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Islam
What is Islam?
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Islam means “submission to the will of Allah.”
A person who practices Islam is known as a Muslim.
Islam shares its roots with Judaism and Christianity.
The religion believes in Divine Revelation from a line of
prophets that includes Abraham, Moses, Jesus and ends
with Muhammad.
• Islam developed and spread rapidly throughout the Middle
Ages, and continues to spread today.
• The Muslim community numbers about 1.3 to 1.5 billion
people, roughly one-fifth of the world population.
Historical Foundations of Islam
• Muhammad (Mohammed) ibn ‘Abdullāh was
born in 570 in Mecca, a city on the Arabian
peninsula.
• Arabia at the time was a blend of religions and
cultures, from pagan and native natural religions
to Jewish and Zoroastrian communities.
• He was orphaned at a young age and raised by
his uncle Abū Ṭālib ibn ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib.
• He grew up as a merchant and trader, and
became knowledgeable of workings of the world
and international business.
• Muhammad married at the age of 25 and raised
a family.
Historical Foundations of Islam
• A contemplative man, Muhammad encountered the Archangel
Gabriel while on a spiritual retreat at a mountain near Mecca.
• Here, he is commanded to recite teachings made in the name
of the Lord.
– This serves as the beginning of Muhammad’s life as a
prophet.
– He would receive many more recitations over the next 22
years.
• These recitations are written in the most sacred text of Islam,
the Qur’an (Koran). The Koran serves as the book of divine
guidance and direction for humanity.
• The hijra, or flight from Mecca to Medina, takes place in 622.
Even though Mecca is now the main city in Islam, there was a
time when Muhammad must flee from his hometown for his
safety.
Beliefs and Teachings
• Allah is the one true God (“He is the only God, creator of the
universe and the judge of humankind…He is unique and
inherently one, all-merciful and omnipotent.”)
• The Line of Prophets begins with Adam and ends with
Muhammad. After Muhammad, no further prophets are
needed as revelation has been completed.
• Creation is good because it comes from Allah (reverence to
the world).
• Human nature is essentially good, but humans stray from this
nature and this can lead one to sin. Humanity therefore
needs direction to act appropriately.
– The reward for righteousness is Paradise (Jannah)
– The punishment for evil is Hell (Jahannam)
– The Day of Judgment will tell of each person’s destination.
– At the end of days, all will be reconciled to God.
Beliefs and Teachings
• The Ummah: the global community of Muslims living under divine
law (Shari’a) which contains both guidelines and commands for daily
living.
• The Qur’an: “the earthly center of Islam,” is the source of Islam’s
foundational and fundamental teachings. It is written in Arabic and
contains 114 chapters, including the direct words of Allah as spoken
to Muhammad (who it is believed was himself illiterate.)
• The sunnah, or the practice and example of the Prophet, is the
second moral authority.
• Jihad is first and foremost a personal spiritual struggle of good and
evil within one’s own self.
• Jihad is the struggle of conscience and adherence to the divine will.
– In the larger worldly context, war is for self defense and to
defend against unjust regimes.
– Civilians are not to be harmed (i.e. acts of terrorism are
condemned.)
– Radical Islamic groups have taken the concept of jihad and
made it a struggle against others: personal conversion becomes
social, cultural or political.
Five Pillars of Islam
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Confession of Faith: All Muslims must profess that Allah is the one true God
and that Muhammad is his prophet.
Prayer: Prayer is required 5 times a day (before sunrise, around noon, late
afternoon, at sunset and in the evening).
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One faces east, the direction of Mecca, and includes ritual washing of the
face, hands and feet.
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Friday is the Muslim holy day: men attend noon services at a mosque, or
someplace else if no mosque is close by.
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Public community prayer led by an ‘imam’.
Fasting: The month long fast (sawm) of Ramadan
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From sunrise to sunset during Ramadan Muslims are not allowed to eat,
drink, smoke or have sex. Exceptions are made for the ill, aged and
nursing mothers.
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A small ‘snack’ type meal is eaten at the end of the day, so that everyone
can be in a full presence of mind for prayers, and then a full meal is
shared after prayer.
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The purpose of the fast is to be aware of those who are without material
necessities and to remind ourselves of our own mortality and limits.
Five Pillars of Islam
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Alms giving: All who are able are
required to give 2.5% of their assets to a
public treasury. This money goes to help
the poor, fund education, cultural needs
and other social concerns.
Pilgrimage: Once during a Muslim’s
lifetime, as long as he or she is able.
Muslims gather for prayer at the Ka’ba
(large square stone) as a sign of Muslim
unity throughout the world.
Additional Practices and Beliefs
• Care for oneself: importance of ritual washing and keeping
oneself clean in all ways.
• Marriages can be arranged (especially in certain parts of the
world) as a legal binding contract.
• Arranged marital contracts are usually made early in life.
• Gender roles are clearly defined.
– Men are predominant in most ways, with the exception of home and
family.
– Dress and contact between men and women is modest for all to
encourage chastity (traditional and modern dress).
• Women do have significant property rights, and play an
important (and sometimes leading) role in the home and
family.
• Regardless of how it is practiced, Islam is a lifestyle of faith
and an all-encompassing reality.
Sects of Islam
• Sunni
– The predominant classification of Muslims, numbering
between 85-90% of total Muslim population.
– Sunni Islam follows the teachings of the Prophet as we
have studied.
• Shi’ite
– The minority of Muslims in the world, numbering between
10-15% of the world’s Muslim population.
– The Shi’ite sect constitutes the majority of the populations
in Iran, Azerbaijan, Bahrain and Iraq, and have large
population centers in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
– These Muslims are associated with violent acts and are
the most militant of all Muslim sects.
• Sufi (Islamic mysticism)
– Spiritual exercises such as breathing and chanting
emphasize the loss of the sense of oneself and brings
spiritual strength of oneness with Allah.
– Sufi is technically a sect, since you can follow Islamic
mysticism as either a Sunni or Shi’ite Muslim.
Distribution of Muslim Populations