Download Key Facts About Islam

EVANBARTHOLOMEW.COM
ISLAM
Key Facts On Islam:
Terms:
Islam – “Submission to God.”
Allah – God of Islam
Muslim – “One who lives in accordance to God's will.”
Ka'aba – Black meteorite that is worshipped in Mecca.
Qur'an – “The recital.” The Holy scriptures of Islam.
Caliph – A successor of Muhammad. Chief religious and civil ruler.
Orgins of Islam:
Muhammad was born in about 570 AD. At six years old, he became an orphan as both his parents
died. He was then raised by his grandfather for a short period of time, and then his uncle after his
grandfather's death. When Muhammad was 25-years old, he successfully led caravans of successful
business women – including his eventual wife, Khadija. Over time, Muhammad became withdrawn
from society and sought solitude in the desert.
While in the desert, on the Hira mountain in 610 AD, the now 40-year old Muhammad allegedly
received a vision from the angel Gabriel. This was called the “Night of Destiny”. Gabriel said to
Muhammad, “recite” three times in Arabic. The word “Qur'an” comes from the word “recite”. For the
next 23 years Gabriel spoke in partial revelations, which Muhammad memorized. As Muhammad
recited what he'd memorized, his followers wrote down everything he recited on palm leaves, stones,
animal bones, and leather. These writings were not compiled until after Muhammad's death in 632
AD. (Sura 25:32)
After having received his vision from Gabriel, Muhammad returned to Mecca and began preaching. In
622 AD, he was expelled from Mecca. He fled to Medina in a flight called the “Hijrah”. The Jews in
Medina did not support Muhammad's preaching. So he quickly drove two clans out of Medina, and
then executed a third clan. Through force, Muhammad began having conversions to his religion. In
Medina, the five pillars of Islam started to take shape.
In 630 AD, Muhammad began armed raids on Mecca and eventually conquered the town. At that time,
Allah, along with the Allat, Uzza, and Manat, were being worshipped as pagan gods. Allah was
represented by a black meteorite known as the Ka'aba. Muhammad “cleansed” the Ka'aba of it's pagan
symbols and converted most of the natives in Mecca to Islam. He then raised Allah to be the chief God
of Islam, and eventually, Allah was the only god. Muhammad died two years later, leaving the book of
Allah – the Qur'an.
After Muhammad's death in 632 AD, Abu Baker, the first Caliph, ordered Muhammad's secretary,
Zaid, to collect and arrange the writings of Muhammad. They were arranged in Suras, from longest to
shortest; not in chronological order, or by subject. Eventually in approximately 650 AD, Caliph
Uthman (Muhammad's son-in-law) ordered the Medina version of the Qur'an to be considered the one
authorized version. He had all other versions destroyed. That version is still used to this day.
EVANBARTHOLOMEW.COM
ISLAM
Five Pillars:
1 – Confession (Shahadah) – Must quote, “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His
messenger” at least once.
2 – Almsgiving (Zakat) – Giving to the poor. (Sura 9:60)
3 – Prayer (Salah) – Five times a day. (Sura 62:9)
4 – Fasting (Salom) – During the month of Ramadan, fast until sundown and then feast.
5 – Pilgrimage (Hajj) – Travel to Mecca (if you're able) to visit the Ka'aba.
Denominations of Islam:
Sunni (85-90%):
– Hanafi
– Deobandi
– Maliki
– Shafi'i
– Hanbali
– Wahabi
– Salafi
Shiite (10-15%):
– Zaidi
– Imami
– Isma'ili (Nizaris & Musta'lis)
– Ahmadiyya
– Jafari
– Alani
– Alevi
Smaller Groups:
– Kharijite
– Kalam
Sufi (Mystics):
– Whirling Dervishes
– Tongue-Speakers
Muslim Challenge:
Levels of Sin:
1 – The Big Sins: Kabira
– Murder, adultery, drunkenness, disobedience to parents, failing to observe Ramadan, neglecting
Friday prayers, gambling, dancing, shaving beard, charging interest, etc...
– Can be forgiven only if you repent.
2 – The Little Sins: Saghira
– Deciet, anger, lust, etc...
– Can be forgiven if you avoid the greater sins and perform good deeds.
3 – The Unforgivable Sin: Shirk
– Associating other gods with Allah.
– No forgiveness possible.
This should put into perspective for us what we're asking a Muslim to do when we ask them to convert
to Christianity. To a Muslim, this is an unforgivable sin. It is no longer possible to return to Islam – or
to the Islamic world. This makes converting a serious Muslim extremely challenging. That said,
“what is impossible with man is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)