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Arborbrook Christian High School – Worldview / Apologetics
ISLAM
MUSLIM MARVEL SUPERHEROES
MUSLIM SUPERHEROES
“NIGHTRUNNER”
THE LIFE OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD
CULTURAL SURROUNDINGS
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Muhammad was born in 570 AD in the vicinity of Mecca
on the peninsula of Arabia
Indigenous Arabian religion of the time a
mixture of polytheism and animism
Mecca was a center of this religion and a pilgrim site
with many idols and shrines
Arabian peninsula was a significant thoroughfare for
commerce
Lots of cross-cultural interaction
Community and family culture revolved around tribal units,
and within tribes, Clans.
“hanif” (“pious ones”) devoted themselves exclusively to the
worship of one God, Allah.
LIFE IN MECCA (PRE-ISLAM)
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Big center of trade and commerce
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Holy city and pilgrimage site for the many different tribes
of the Arabian peninsula
Home of the Ka`bah (“cube”)
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(merchants of many types of religions interacted in trade regularly)
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Cubic building containing the “black stone” in the southeast
corner
“Black Stone” was a meteorite said to have been sent from
Heaven
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Within the Ka`bah were some 360 idols
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Stewards of the Ka`bah were members of the Quraysh
(Quraish) tribe –
(representing forces of nature, celestial beings, and tribal deities)
a prominent and influential tribe because of their status as
keepers of the Ka`bah
KA`BAH AND THE BLACK STONE
MUHAMMAD’S LIFE
Born as a member of a minor clan of the Quraysh
tribe – orphaned at an early age, raised by an
uncle
 Muhammad lived much of life illiterate
 Early on made a living as a camel driver
 Became employed by a wealthy widow, Khadija,
who he eventually married
 Becomes a wealthy merchant interacting with
members of other monotheistic religions – this
shaped his spiritual beliefs significantly
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MUHAMMAD’S SPIRITUAL ENCOUNTERS
Beginning in 610 AD, Muhammad claimed to
have series of definitive spiritual experiences
 While meditating in a cave located on what is
now called “Mount of Light” (Mount Hira),
 In trance, angel Gabriel (Jibreel) spoke to him
“Recite!”
 Laylat al-Qadr, “the Night of Power” – towards
end of Ramadan celebration – commemorates
this event
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CAVE
OF HIRA
MUHAMMAD AS PROPHET OF ISLAM
Muhammad began declaring his revelations
 His message encompassed two main points:
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 There
is only one God to whose will people must
submit
 There will be a day of judgment when all people will
be judged in terms of whether or not they have
obeyed God
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At first he did not attract many followers, but
did receive much hostility and persecution
MUHAMMAD AS PROPHET OF ISLAM
After about 10 years, his followers had become
more numerous, numbering in the thousands
 Muhammad’s followers referred to their belief
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as Islam (“submission to God”), and came to
be known as Muslims (“those who submit to
God”)
 Muslims grew so numerous in Mecca, it
became problem to the merchants and civil
authorities
EARLY MUSLIM COMMUNITY
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They received much persecution until fleeing to Yathrib in
622 AD.
 This flight to Yathrib is known as the hijra (“flight”)
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This event is used as the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
(A.H. – “Anno Hegirae”)
This is recognized as the birth of the “umma”
(an independent Muslim community)
Muhammad’s wife, Khadija, dies and Muhammad acquires a
number of new wives
Town of Yathrib welcomed Muhammad and the Umma, and
he was put in charge of the town.
Yathrib eventually renamed Medina – “city of the Prophet”
For a while had a peaceful agreement with Jewish
community of Yathrib, until some Jews attempted to
assassinate him. At that, Muhammad had hundreds of Jews
executed.
EARLY MUSLIM COMMUNITY
Islam’s influence continued to spread – many
Arabian tribes swore allegiance to Muhammad
adopting his teachings and submitting to his
leadership
 Amassed enough of an army to capture Mecca –
then removed all idols from city and cleansd the
“ka’ba” of all statues in special ceremony. Ka’ba
and the well “Zamzam” retained status as “holy
places”
 Muhammad died in 632 AD. – at the time he was
the religious and political head of much of the
Arabian peninsula
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IMMEDIATE DIVISIONS
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After Muhammad’s death, Abu Bakr, (Muhammad’s father in law and
close friend), stepped in to dispel confusion:
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“If anyone worships Muhammad, Muhammad is dead; but if anyone
worships Allah, he is alive and does not die”
Search for the Caliph (“the successor”), yielded two candidates:
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Ali – Muhammad’s son-in-law (daughter Fatima)
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“Ali distinguished himself in his devotion and enthusiasm for Muhammad’s
cause.”
Ali claimed that Muhammad had endowed him with his designation (‘ilm) and
spiritual knowledge (nass). – Ali would be able to speak directly from God.
Ali, unfortunately, wasn’t favored by the masses (who viewed him as hot-headed)
Abu Bakr – Muhammad’s father-in-law
A general consensus (“sunna”) was established that made Abu Bakr
the Caliph
IMMEDIATE DIVISIONS
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When Abu Bakr was instituted as Caliph, a
splinter group supporting Ali rose up, known as
“shi’a”.
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This leads to the two major divisons:
 Sunnites
(Sunnis) – the majority
 Shi’ites - the minority
THE QUR’AN
1st 4 verses Al-Alaq – 96th Sura
1st seven verses of Al-Fatiha 1st Sura
THE QUR’AN
Qur’an is the highest authority in Islam
 About as long as the New Testament of the
Bible – divided into 114 Chapters (Suras)
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 Arranged
longer suras to shorter suras
 Shorter ones are older
Begins with the “al-Fatiha” – recited at all
important prayer times
 Only authoritative in Arabic
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 Translations
are believed to create distortion
THE QUR’AN
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Muhammad did not
actually write the Qur’an,
as he was illiterate
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Followers wrote down his
utterances as he would
recite what the Angel
Jibreel had dictated to him
Wasn’t until shortly after
644 AD, that the Caliph
Uthman collected and
compiled the Qur’an
This compilation became
the Qur’an – in the present
form that exists today
SIX ESSENTIAL BELIEFS
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The oneness of God
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Angels and spirits
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“Tawhid” – doctrine of the unity of God
Jibreel (Gabriel), archangels, hosts of angels
Jinn (evil spirits) led by the devil
Prophets
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From time to time, God has disclosed his will to the world through
prophets
“nabi” or “rasul” – all prophets ultimately taught what Muhammad
taught
“Mahdi” – future redeemer
Believed Jesus was a prophet, but not Son of God
SIX ESSENTIAL BELIEFS
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Books
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Judgment
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Qur’an – “um-al-kitab” (mother of all books) – earthly version of
heavenly book given to Muhammad
Other Prophets who were also apostles left books for their people
(including Zoroaster, Moses, David, Jesus)
Followers of these other books called “people of the book”
There is an appointed day of judgment and resurrection
Everyone will be confronted with deeds done in life
Basis of judgment is sincere submission to Allah’s will
Yet, Allah is considered “most gracious” and “most merciful” and will
probably forgive otherwise devout people certain sins.
Heaven and Hell depicted as places of physical pleasure and torment
The decree of God
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Allah is sovereign – all that Allah wills comes to pass…Whatever Allah
does not will does not happen
AUTHORITY IN ISLAM
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Qur’an is highest authority in Islam
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Beyond the Qur’an
Sunna and hadiths  Hadiths - writings about Muhammad’s
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lifestyle and informal sayings
“When in doubt, do as Muhammad did!”
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Hadiths include various miracle stories as
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As Sunna, (meaning “consensus”) these
are widely accepted as authoritative
well (Muhammad’s ride to Jerusalem and
back to Mecca in one night, his ascent to
heaven while in Jerusalem for receiving a
night of revelations, etc.)
AUTHORITY IN ISLAM
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Shari`a– “Islamic Law” –
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Shari`a included the Qur’an, the sunna (hadiths), and
various schools of interpretation
It was/is an effort to use these sources of authority to
legislate morals and practices in society that are
consistent with Islamic teaching.
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
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Shahada – “witnessing”/declaration that there is no god but
Allah and that Muhammad is his “rasul”, or messenger (one
who recites for God.)
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Must participate in salat, five periods of prayer each day.
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Must pay an obligatory tax, called zakat, to the needy.
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Must fast during the daylight hours in the month of
Ramadan, known as sawm.
If able, should make a pilgrimage to Mecca, a Hajj, once
during their lifetime.
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
 Shahada
 First
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part – “There is not God but Allah”
 Second part – ‘Muhammad rasul Allah’ – commits
the Muslim to undivided allegiance to God’s
commandments.
 Reciting the Shahada and meaning is all that is
necessary to become a Muslim
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
 Salat,
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five periods of prayer each day.
Traditionally, ritual prayers offered five times a day:
 At
sunrise
(when possible to distinguish a white thread from a black one)
 At noon
 In mid-afternoon
 At sunset
 One hour after sunset
 In some countries (and mosques) 6 prayer times are offered
- a mid-morning prayer for “special concerns” is also offered
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
 The
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Mosque and “Salat”
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
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The Mosque and “Salat”
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Prayers may be performed anywhere, but men encouraged to
pray at mosque
Mosque is at minimum a room designated for prayer,
sometimes a house, sometimes building at center of
community
Muezzin is the official caller who invites the people to prayer
Most important part of Mosque is the prayer hall.
Within prayer hall, most important feature is the mihrab –
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a niche at the front of the building that indicates the direction toward
Mecca (‘QIBLAH’)
Also often a balcony or back room in which women pray
–must stay out of site of men.
men line up in straight rows
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
 “Salat”
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Ritual washing is an important part of salat.
 Worshippers
must remove shoes before entering prayer hall
 Ablution – rinsing of hands, feet, eyes, ears, nose and mouth
three times with water
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Actual prayer routine is very structured and formalized
 Combines
sequences of postures with recitation
 Includes bowing, standing, prostration, kneeling, prostration,
and standing again.
 Each sequence is called a “rak`at”
 When in community, worshippers line up in straight rows and
offer these sequences in unison
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On Fridays, there are special prayers in the Mosque
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
 “Salat”
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
 Zakat–
 Qur’an
giving to the needy. (Almsgiving)
commands all believers to practice regular
charity (Sura 2:43)
 In the Shari`a, this has been interpreted/applied as
a formal obligation to give annually to the poor.
About 2.5% of person’s net income
 Early on, served as a form of social welfare.
 Direct gifts of compassion from one Muslim to
another are called “sadaqa” (“Charity”)
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
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Sawm – fasting during the month of Ramadan
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Muhammad is said to have received his first revelations during the
month of Ramadan.
Muslims required to fast during daylight hours throughout the
month to commemorate
From sunrise to sundown, no refreshment (food or beverage) can
be taken. Eating commences at sundown - also includes
prohibitions against sex and entertainment
Muslim calendar is based on lunar cycle (instead of solar cycle)
Ramadan can cycle through the entire year in the course of a
person’s lifetime.
“Night of Power” celebrated during final week of Ramadan
May be special concessions for those who cannot fast for health
reasons
Ramadan is followed by 3-day celebration called “eid-al-fitr”
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
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Sawm – fasting during the month of Ramadan
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
 Hajj
- pilgrimage to Mecca
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
 Hajj
- pilgrimage to Mecca
 Every
able person should do the Hajj once in their
lifetime
 Last month of Islamic calendar – al-hajj – has been
designated as the official period of pilgrimage.
 Mecca is most holy site, and center of this obligatory
pilgrimage.
 Hajj has high emotional and spiritual impact on the
Muslim who is able to go
 Solidarity with Muslims worldwide
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM - HAJJ
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Hajj has seven main components:
 Arrival
and preparation –
Muslims must enter a state of
purity before entering Mecca
(and maintain it until
pilgrimage is complete)
 Men
bathe, shave their heads,
and where two triangular pieces of
white linen
 Women wear traditional Islamic
robe and veil
 All ritual restrictions must be
strictly observed
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM - HAJJ
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Tawaf –walking around the Ka’ba seven times
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM - HAJJ
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Running between Marwa and Safa
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM - HAJJ
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The greater pilgrimage - entire mass of pilgrims moves out
of Mecca and assemble on the Plain of Arafat at foot of “mount
of Mercy”
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM - HAJJ
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Sacrifices at Mina –pilgrims move back to little town of Mina,
halfway between Mecca and Arafat. Pilgrims live in a tent city
for about three days
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM - HAJJ
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Stoning the devil – pilgrims take turns throwing stones
at three pillars representing the devil (Iblis)
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM - HAJJ
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The Final Tawif – pilgrims move back to Mecca, walks
around the Ka’ba one more time to complete the pilgrimage
MUSLIM CUSTOMS AND CULTURE
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According to Muslim ethical thought, actions fall
into one of three categories:
 Fard –
actions that are required , such as the five
pillars
 Haram- actions
that are expressly forbidden (such
as idolatry)
 Halal
– actions that are permitted.
MUSLIM CUSTOMS AND CULTURE
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Diet
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Islam recognizes “halal” (permitted) foods
ONLY halal foods may be eaten.
Pork and pork products are strictly forbidden
Drinking wine is forbidden in the Qur’an
MUSLIM CUSTOMS AND CULTURE
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Modesty in Dress
There is no universally required garments in Islam –
but MODESTY is required
 Very conservative cultures (as Saudi Arabia) impose
purdah – proper Islamic mode of dress for women –
robes and veils
 This is not the case in all Muslim cultures – to satisfy
the Qur’an, may simply mean her body should be
entirely covered in public, including legs and arms, face
may be visible, but hair and sides of her head need to
be covered.
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MUSLIM CUSTOMS AND CULTURE
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Jihad (Holy War)
 One
of the most controversial aspects of Islam
 Must take into consideration the Muslim
explanation and definition for Holy War
 Moderate/Mainstream Muslim scholars point out
the following about “Jihad”
 The
Qur’an does expressly forbid the conversion of
anyone by force (2:256)
 Some passages in the Qur’an referring to Jihad need to
be understood as referring to internal spiritual striving
(61:11) – There is debate about this.
MUSLIM CUSTOMS AND CULTURE
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Jihad (Holy War)
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5 Principles applied to Jihad:
 Physical
violence may never be used to advance cause of
Islam
 Islam should be propagated by means of rational appeal and
persuasion only
 If another nation commits an act of aggression against an
Islamic country, that country is justified in using military force
to defend itself
 If a non-Islamic country uses physical force to repress the free
exercise of Islam (including propagation of Islam), those
actions constitute physical aggression against Islam or a
particular Islamic country.
 Once a country has come to belong to Dar-al-Islam (“House of
submission”), it may never be allowed to revert to non-Muslim
hands
HOMEWORK FOR NEXT WEEK
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Listen to Audio Interview of Dr. Nabeel Qureshi
(former Muslim) about Islam:
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http://www.4truth.net/fourtruthpbworld.aspx?p
ageid=8589953025