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ISLAM: Submission to one God
Chapter 14
Islam
• Second largest Religion in the world
• Fastest growing in the world
▫ The tragedy of September 11 brought Islam into
the view of the world
• 3 Foundations of Islam
▫ Qur'an
▫ The Prophet Muhammad
▫ Islam’s primary teachings
I. Qur'an: Koran
•Earthly center of Islam
•Sacred presence in the world
•Qur'an literally means
”reading”
•Separated in 114 chapters,
or “suras”
•Only one Arabic translation
•Some consider any
translation to be heretical
The Qur'an
• Qur'an is supposed to be the most
beautiful book ever written in Arabic.
• It is supposed to be the direct words of
Allah.
• Oral recitation is said to be the best way
to understand the Qur'an, the way it was
given to Muhammad himself.
▫ The Qur'an is known to be a Miracle of
Allah.
▫ Muhammad himself was supposed to be
illiterate
II. The Prophet Muhammad
• Born A.D. 570
• Orphaned at an early age.
▫ Lived with his Uncle
• Married a wealthy widow who had 6 kids with
him.
• He was said to be honest and dependable
• Was very religious
▫ Would often go to a cave alone to contemplate
God in solitude.
The Night of Power and Excellence
• AD 610
• While in the cave, the Angel Gabriel appeared to
him in a dream.
• He was ordered to recite
• He asked Gabriel
▫ “What shall I recite?”
“Recite in the name of your Lord who created--created man from clots of blood.
Recite! Your Lord is the Most Bountiful One, who by
the pen taught man what he did not know!”
• Earliest “Recitation” contained in the Qur'an
• Muhammad was said to have received
“Recitations” for 22 years until his death
• The Qu’ran is the compilation of all the
“Recitations” given to Muhammad
Seal of the Prophets
Adam
Moses
Abraham
John the Baptist
Jesus Christ
•The Prophet Muhammad is
known as the “Seal of the
Prophets”
•He is supposed to be the
last prophet.
•Through Muhammad, God
has revealed his message
fully.
•Muhammad delivered the
sacred presence of God:
•The Qu’ran
The Prophet Muhammad
• Muhammad was only a man
• But he is regarded as a “Jewel Among Stones
▫ Revered as the best Human Being ever born
• Muslims admire and try to imitate Muhammad’s
life here on earth.
• His personal teachings and philosophies is
known a his “Sunna” or his custom
III. Islam’s Primary Teachings
• 1. Allah the one God
▫ Allah was the name of one many gods in the area
where Muhammad lived.
▫ He created his Monotheistic religion, making
Allah the one God.
▫ Allah is transcendent
 Muslims do not give Allah a gender
 Muslims do not depict Allah in art
 Muslims avoid giving Allah any human
characteristics
▫ Allah is also accessible
99 Names of Allah
Al-Ghaffar: The One who forgives the sins of
His slaves time and time again.
Al-^Aziz: The Defeater who is not defeated
Al-Hakam: He is the Ruler and His
judgment is His Word.
Al-Matin: The One with extreme Power which
is un-interrupted and He does not get tired.
Al-'Awwal: The One whose Existence is without
a beginning.
Al-Ghaniyy: The One who does not
need the creation.
2. The Prophets
• The messengers of God
• Gave us God’s personal laws and orders
3. Human Nature and Destiny
• Human Nature is essentially good
• We are also capable of “Forgetfulness”
▫ The Qur'an and other teachings is necessary for us
so that it may direct us to proper Human behavior.
• Good and Evil
▫ Heaven and Hell
• The Day of Judgment
▫ The coming of the Mahdi, a savior like the
Messiah will restore Islam and bring peace
▫ Jesus Christ will return to Jerusalem and bring on
the day of Judgment
3. The Nature of the World
• Since the world was created by Allah, then it is
good and must be revered.
• Cosmic Qur’an
▫ The idea that the world is another form of
revelation from God
• Science and Religion
▫ Muslims celebrate science as a way of knowing
Allah’s perfect creation.
IV. The Umma
• Umma: The Community of
Muslims
• Brotherhood based only on
Religion
▫ No race, ethnicity, language,
or culture
• Umma is an ideal often not
realized
• The Umma is united through the Sharia
▫ Sharia: Divine law
▫ Determines the proper action of a Muslim
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5 Categories
1. Obligatory
2. Recommended
3. Indifferent
4. Disapproved
5. Forbidden
▫ Detailed way of life- which is a submission to
Allah
 The name “Islam” - “Surrender” “Submission”
 To ignore the Sharia is to stop being Muslim
HOMEWORK
• Go online and read up on the events in Libya
• Bring printouts that will give you evidence to back up
your answers to these following questions. You will
answer them in class.
• 1. What is “Shari’a” known as in the present day?
• 2. How is “Shari’a” playing a pivotal role in the
current events in Libya
• 3. How can “Shari’a” affect the diplomatic situation
between Libya and the United States
*Please answer these questions as thoroughly as
possible. Make sure you can prove it with your
printouts.