Download Islam: 2nd largest Religion in the World

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Islam:
largest Religion
in the World-21% of the
entire world and rapidly
growing
Islam means obedience or peace
through submission to the will of
Allah-the Islam god
Beginnings of Islam
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Followers are called
Muslims and are found
primarily in the Middle East
Most important event for
the Islamic faith was the
revealing of Allah’s word to
a man named Muhammad
in early 7th Century AD
Muhammad became
known as the messenger
of Allah; or the prophet
Muhammad
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Born in Mecca
Grew up a camel driver and was
unhappy with the lawlessness of
his people and troubled because
they worshiped many gods
Said the angel Gabriel spoke to
him while he was praying one
day and told him Allah was the
only God
He began speaking the message
and was forced out of Mecca to
Medina-this migration is called
the Hajj.
His followings grew so strong
that they conquered Mecca in
629 AD
The Koran/Quran
► Holy
book of Islam
written by Allah
through Muhammad
► Advocates
general
beliefs and the 5
Pillars of Islam
Muslim Beliefs
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Belief in Allah
Belief in angels
Belief in the Koran
Belief in the prophets:
Abraham, Moses, David,
Jesus, and Muhammad
Belief in the day of
judgment and life after
death
Belief in predestination
The Five Pillars of Islam
► The
Shahadah: The declaration of faith; “There is
no god but Allah and Muhammad is prophet.
► The Salah: The five daily prayers said at dawn,
noon, mid-afternoon, dusk, and after dark.
► The Zakat: Give 2½% of savings to the poor each
year.
► The Sawm: Fasting during the 9th Muslim month.
► The Hajj: Make a pilgrimage to Mecca in their
lifetime.
The Hajj
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In 1999 there were 2
million Muslims in Mecca
for the Hajj: 1 mill. from
Saudi Arabia; 6000 from
the US
Hajj consists of several
ceremonies
commemorating faith in
the prophet Abraham
Muhammad said that if the
Hajj is performed properly
the person would return as
a “newly born baby free of
all sins”
Ramadan
► Holiest
period in the
Islamic year
► Commemorates the
month when revelations
began
► During this month most
Muslims over the age of
12 are expected to
abstain from food and
drink from the first light
of dawn until
sunset…fasting
► This year Ramadan
began on June 29- July
27, 2014
Concept of Jihad- a religious duty
► Westernized
definition: A holy war; a clash
between followers of different religions-each
believing that their god is on their side and
that the other side is of satan
► Personal definition to Muslims: the intimate
struggle to purify one’s soul of evil
influences; to strive for justice
Links to Other Faiths
► Christianity,
Judaism, and Islam are the 3
related faiths. They all revere Abraham as a
spiritual ancestor.
► Different books: Bible, Torah, and Koran
► Concept of Deity: The Trinity: Father, Son
and Holy Spirit; Allah the one god
Why Terrorism?
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The fact is that Islam the faith
itself is a faith of peace
However, some parts of the
Koran provide an “open door”
for Islamic extremists who hate
the West and see it as the
“great satan” who corrupts the
world
For ex: Koran 22:39 “To those
against whom war is made,
permission is given to defend
themselves b/c they are
wronged and Allah is most
powerful to give them victory.”