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Islam Religion
By Michelle Sherman and
Melanie Lopez
Modern World History
8:00-9:15 a.m. class
Who, When, and Where was Islam
Religion Founded
Islam is one of the three major world
religions. 22% (1.3 Billion) of the
world population practice this
religion. Adherents of Islam religion
are called Muslims. They are
monotheists, which means that they
believe in only one god. These
followers central teaching is that
there is one all-powerful, all-knowing
God, and that this god created the
Universe. Muhammad, the founder of
Islam Religion, introduced Islam in
610 A.D. Islam religion originated in
Mecca (Makkah), Saudi Arabia. Islam
religion is practiced today in Asia,
parts of India, a portion of Africa,
and along the borders of China.
Islamic Beliefs
There are six major beliefs in Islamic culture.
4.
1. Belief in God
Muslims believe in one unique god, whom has
no son nor partner, and they no one other
than him should be worshipped. God is the
All-Hearing, the All-Seeing, and the AllKnowing. His knowledge encompasses all
things, the open and the secret, and the public
and the private.
He knows what has
happened, what will happen, and how it will
happen.
Belief in the Prophets and Messengers of
God
Muslims believe in the Prophets of god, such as
Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob,
Moses, and Jesus. Muslims believe that
Muhammad was the last prophet sent by God.
God’s last message was; ”Muhammad is not
the father of any one of your men, but he is the
Messenger of God and the last of the
prophets... (Quran, 33:40)”
2. Belief in Angels
Muslims believe in the existence of angels and
that they are honored creatures. The angels
worship God alone, obey Him, and act only
by His command.
5. Belief in the Day of Judgment
Muslims believe in the Day of Judgment (the
Day of Resurrection). This is when all people
will be resurrected for God’s judgment
according to their beliefs and deeds.
3. Belief in God’s Revealed books
Muslims believe that God revealed books to
his messengers as proof for mankind and as
guidance for them. Among these books is the
Quran (an Islamic sacred book), which God
revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. God
then guaranteed the Quran's protection.
6. Belief in Al-Qadar
Muslims believe that God has given human
beings freewill. This means that we can choose
right or wrong and that we are responsible for
our choices.
The Five Pillars
Islam has five primary obligations, or pillars of
faith. Each Muslim must fulfill these
obligations in his or her lifetime.
1. Shahadah (Faith)
This is the first pillar of Islam. Muslims must
recite the creed (belief): "There is no God but
God and Muhammad is the Messenger of
God." This statement represents the Muslim's
complete acceptance of and total commitment
to Islam.
2. Salah (Prayer)
This is the second pillar. The Islamic faith is
based on the belief that individuals have a
direct relationship with God. Muslims must
offer five daily prayers at dawn, noon, midafternoon, sunset and evening. They have the
choice of where they want to pray, but it is
recommended that Muslims perform Salah in a
mosque (a place of worship).
The five pillars of Islam define the basic character
of Muslims - their faith, beliefs and practices.
They bind together a worldwide community of
believers into a fellowship of shared values. .
3.
Zakat (Almsgiving-the practice of giving to
the poor)
The third pillar is Zakat. Social responsibility is
considered a part of one's service to God. The
obligation for each Muslim is to give 2.5 percent of
their net worth, excluding other obligations and
family expenses
4.
Sawm (fasting during the holy month of
Ramadan)
This is the fourth pillar of Islam. The fast is an act
of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a
richer perception of God. Fasting is also an
exercise in self-control where one's sensitivity is
heightened to the sufferings of the poor.
5. Hajj (the pilgrimage to Makkah)
Haji is the fifth pillar and is the most significant
performance of Islamic faith and unity in the
world. Over two million Muslims gather to watch
the performance of the Haji. In performing the
Haji, a pilgrim follows the order of ritual that the
Prophet Muhammad performed during his last
pilgrimage.
Where and How do Believers Worship?
The most sacred place in Islam is the Ka’ba in
Mecca (Makkah), Saudi Arabia. The Ka’ba
(House of God) is a mosque (a Muslim’s place
of worship) that is built around a black stone.
Muslims believe that the Ka’ba is the first
place that was created on Earth.
The Prophet Muhammad classified Mecca as
the holiest city of Islam. This is also the
direction in which all Muslims must face when
offering their prayers. Mecca is located at the
Hijaz region of western Saudi Arabia.
Thousands of Muslims from around the world
join in a pilgrimage to Mecca.
All Muslims, no matter wherever they are on
Earth, pray five times a day in the direction of
the Ka’ba in Mecca. The Muslims praying
position is with their heads and hands on the
ground.
Ka’ba
Muslims Praying
Holiday's and Celebrations
Islam has very few holiday’s compared to
other religions. Two of the major festivals
are ‘Id Al-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr) and ‘Id Al-Adha
(Eid al-Adha). These two major events are
both involved in the Month of Ramadan.
Ramadan is a holy day as well as a holy
month for Muslims. It occurs in the ninth
month of the Muslim year. It is a time when
Muslims across the world will fast during
the hours of daylight. Ramadan is the
fourth of the five pillars of Islam. ‘Id Al-Fitr
(Arabic for “Festival of Braking the Fast”)
marks the end of Ramadan. ‘Id Al-Adha
(Arabic for “Festival of the Sacrifice”),
takes place at the end of Hiji.
Sacred Symbols
One sacred symbol is the Star and Crescent.
The star and Crescent is the best-known
symbol used to represent Islam. This symbol
is shown on the flags of many countries in
the Islamic world such as Turkey and
Pakistan. It is sometimes colored white with
a green background. Most sources agree
that these ancient celestial symbols were in
use by the peoples of Central Asia and
Siberia in their worship of sun, moon, and
sky gods several thousand years ago.
Another symbol is called the Allah. Allah is
the Muslim name for God. Allah is a God of
justice, who expects righteous behavior and
submission to the sacred will (the word
Islam means "submission," and a Muslim is
literally "one who submits") and punishes
unrighteousness.
Sacred Sites and Sects of the
Religion
The Ka’ba is the most sacred place in Islam. It is in
the shape of a black “cube”. The Ka’ba is a mosque
(Muslims place of worship) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Muslims are split into two main branches, the Sunnis
and Shias. The great majority of Muslims are Sunnis
- between 85% and 90%. The word Sunni comes
from "Ahl al-Sunna", which means the people of the
tradition. The tradition in this case refers to
practices based on reports of the actions of the
Prophet Muhammad and those close to him. The
word Shia comes from "Shiat Ali“, meaning the
party of Ali. The Shia claimed the right of Ali, the
son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, and his
descendants to lead the Islamic community. Ali was
killed as a result of violence and civil wars. These
events gave rise the rituals of grieving. Estimates of
the number of Shia range from 120 to 170 million
(one-tenth of all Muslims).
Egypt is home to some Sunni members.
Shia street protests.
Unique Features
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Islam means “surrender or “submission” is
Arabic language. It means the
surrendering of one's will (without force)
to the true will of God in an effort to
achieve peace .
"Muslim" means anyone or anything that
surrenders itself to the true will of God. By
this definition, everything in nature (trees,
animals, planets, etc.) are “Muslims”. The
reason for this is because they are in a state
of surrender to God's will.
Islam is one of the fastest growing religions
in the world.
Muslims neither worship Muhammad nor
pray through him. Muslims solely worship
the Unseen Creator, Allah.
Terrorism, unjustified violence and the
killing of non-combatant civilians (or even
intimidating, threatening or injuring them)
are all absolutely forbidden in Islam.
Muslim women wear the head-covering
(hijab) in fulfillment of God's decree
(order) to dress modestly.
Sources
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"You Are Here: Islam Guide Home Chapter 3, General Information on Islam Some Basic
Islamic Beliefs." Islam Guide: Some Basic Islamic Beliefs. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.
<http://www.islam-guide.com/ch3-2.htm>.
"The Five Pillars Of Islam." The Five Pillars Of Islam. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.
<http://www.saudiembassy.net/about/countryinformation/Islam/five_pillars_of_Islam.aspx>.
"What Are the Major Similarities and Differences in the Different Sects of Islam?" RSS. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2014. <http://www.detroitinterfaithcouncil.com/question-of-theweek/2013/6/10/what-are-the-major-similarities-and-differences-in-the-different-sects-ofislam>.
"30 Facts About Islam." 30 Facts About Islam. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.
<http://www.30factsaboutislam.com/>.
"Sunnis and Shias: Islam's Ancient Schism." BBC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.
<http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-16047709>.
• "Mecca: The Holiest City in Islam." Mecca: Holy City of Islam. N.p., n.d. Web. 24
Sept. 2014. <http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/places/mecca.htm>.
• "The Unique Features of Islam." The Unique Features of Islam. N.p., n.d. Web. 24
Sept. 2014. <http://www.islamkorea.com/english/islamuniquefeatures.html>.
• Glencoe World History: Modern Times.McGrawl Hill,2010.Print.