Download Belonging - WordPress.com

An introduction to
the faith, culture of
Islam and Muslim
people
December 17, 2013
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Merci-Giving
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
ISLAM
Submission, selfsurrender
• Muslim
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Some flags of Islamic countries
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Muslims in the
World
• 2 billion, Muslims represent just over 24% of the
world's population = 1 of 5 humans in the world is a
Muslim
• Second largest religion in the world
• Fastest growing including Europe and America
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Beliefs of Islam
•
•
•
•
•
•
Allah
Angels
Scriptures
Messengers
Predestination
Hereafter
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Belief:
Allah – Oneness of God
(Tawhid)
• Say: He is God, the One and Only; God, the
Eternal, Absolute; He begets not, nor is He
begotten; And there is none like Him. (The
Quran, Surah 112)
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Belief: The Angels
- Angels: “intelligent robots”
made of light energy who can
assume physical form to carry out
God’s will
-- 4 top:
1. Gabriel (brings revelations)
2. Azra’il (angel of death),
3. Michael ( is the bringer of
blessing and controls the
weather), and
4. Israfil: Angel of Death (blows
the horn signaling the end of
the universe)
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Belief: Scriptures
The Qur’an
• Revealed over 23 years in
Makkah and Madinah
• Both memorised and recorded
in writing, today’s copy is
proven to be exactly the same
as at the time of revelation
• 114 Surahs (chapters) divided
in Ayahs (signs/verses)
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Belief:
Messengers Muhammad
• Descendant of Ismail (Ishmael), the first son of Abraham.
• Born in Mecca, Arabia, in the year 570
• Received first revelation at the age 40 through angel
Gabriel. Year 610
• Died in the year 632 C.E, after preaching Islam for 23
years.
• Seal of the chain of prophets; no more prophets to follow.
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Belief: Predestination (Qadr)
• We are accountable for
our deeds, but cannot
influence the events we
encounter, which are intended to
test us.
• Our knowledge is limited, but the
Creator has complete knowledge
of past present and future.
• The belief in predestination helps
in times of affliction but is not
intended to prevent us from trying
our best.
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Belief:
The Hereafter
• Life is part of a journey from God
back to God
• Life has a purpose; we are on trial
with regard to our behaviour
• The soul is eternal and will be
raised again
• Perfect justice does not exist on
earth; full justice can only be
achieved in the Hereafter
• Nobody will escape accountability
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
The Dar al-Islam
The World
of Islam
1
2
3
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
4
5
1. The Shahada
 The testimony.

The declaration of faith:
There is no god worthy of
worship except God, and
Muhammad is His
Messenger [or Prophet].
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
1
2. The Salat
 The mandatory prayers
performed 5 times a day:
* dawn
* noon
* late afternoon
* sunset
* before going to bed

Wash before praying.

Face Mecca and use a prayer rug.
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
2. The Salat
 The call to prayer by the
muezzin in the minaret.

Pray in the mosque on Friday.
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
3. The Zakat

Almsgiving (charitable
donations).

Muslims believe that all things
belong to God.

Zakat means both “purification”
and “growth.”
About 2.5%/ 20%, 12.5% of your
income.

Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
4. The Sawm
 Fasting during the holy month
of Ramadan.

Considered a method of selfpurification.

No eating or drinking from
sunrise to sunset during
Ramadan.
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Eid Mubarak
End of the Ramadan holiday.
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
5. The Hajj
 The pilgrimage to Mecca.

Must be done at least once in a
Muslim’s lifetime.

2-3 million Muslims make the
pilgrimage
every
year.
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
5. The Hajj
 Those who complete the
pilgrimage can add the title
hajji to their name.
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Halal and Haram
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Halal/Haram: Food
• Carrion, blood and pork are amongst the forbidden
food items
• Meat must be slaughtered in the name of Allah and all
blood must be drained
• Only non-carnivorous animals are permitted for
consumption
• Most sea animals are permitted
• Alcohol and intoxicating drugs are prohibited completely
• Food prepared by the People of the Book
(Jews/Christians) is permitted; food dedicated to other
gods is prohibited
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Halal/Haram: Behaviour
Prohibited actions:
• Murder
• Theft
• Usury
• Gambling
• Intimate relationships
outside marriage
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Variations
within Islam
•
•
•
•
Sunni
Shi’a
Sufi
Different races,
different cultures
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Sunni
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Shi'a
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Islamic Art
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
A mosque in Yemen
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Istanbul’s Blue Mosque
http://www.mccullagh.org
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
A mosque in N.W. China
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Mecca
Pilgrims circumambulate the Ka’ba, a cube encased in silk containing a
black stone (meteorite?) (pre-Islamic sacred place?)
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.
Thank you for your time!
This presentation is supported by
Welcoming. Connecting. Belonging.