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Understanding Islam:
A Brief Introduction
Islam Today: Demographics
• There are an estimated 1.2 billion Muslims
worldwide
– Approximately 1/5th of the world's population
– Growth without missionary efforts
Where Do Muslims Live?
– Only 18% of Muslims live in the Arab world
– 20% are found in Sub-Saharan Africa
– 30% in the South Asian region of Pakistan, India and
Bangladesh
– The world's largest single Muslim community is in
Indonesia
• The Top 9: 1) Indonesia, 2) Pakistan, 3)
Bangladesh, 4) India, 5) Turkey, 6) Iran, 7) Egypt, 8)
Nigeria, and 9) China
IslamAn Abrahamic
Religion
 Muslims are strict monotheists.

They believe in the JudeoChristian God, which they call
Allah.

Muslims believe that the Torah
and the Bible, like the Qur’an,
is the word of God.
Peoples of the Book
Understanding Islam
• Islam is a rational religion:
“The vilest of creatures are those
who choose to be deaf and dumb
and do not use their reason.”
(Qur’an 8:2)
• Muhammad reminded his
followers that “The first thing God
created was reason”. Therefore,
believers must take personal
responsibility for one’s actions
and faith.
Freedom of Conscience
• “There is no compulsion in religion. Truth
stands out clearly from falsehood;
whoever rejects evil and believes in God
has grasped the strongest rope that never
breaks. And God is All Hearing and All
Knowing”
Qur’an 2:256
Understanding Muhammad:
His Life and Times
The Life of Muhammad:
The early years
• Muhammad was born in Mecca around
the year 570 (A city of western Saudi
Arabia)
• Mecca was not a kind, friendly culture
• These tribes all worshiped many
different gods (polytheistic)
• Muhammad began working as a merchant
and was known for his trustworthiness
• Muhammad and Khadija (wife) had 4
daughters and 2 sons
The Life of Muhammad:
The Visions and the Message
• Fifteen years after his marriage, he began
to have visions and hear mysterious
voices
• When Muhammad was about 40 years old
an angel appeared to him in the form of a
man
• This revelation was soon followed by others
about the one true God
• Unlike Jesus (who Christians believe was God's
son) Muhammad was a mortal, albeit with
extraordinary qualities
• He preached a strong social justice message
about equality and poverty
The Life of Muhammad:
The Trouble
• Muhammad slowly began to attract some followers,
most of them young and of modest social standing
• The ruling elite feared Muhammad and his
followers and began to persecute them
• Muhammad's prestige grew much larger after the
war and the subsequent surrender of the Meccans
The Life of Muhammad:
Conclusion
• Muhammad's life was cut short by his
sudden death on June 8, 632 at about 60
years old
• Within 100 years, Islam spread across the
world, occupying more territory than the
Roman Empire
Essential Question:
Why was Islam
able to spread so
quickly and convert
so many to the
new religion?
The Spread of Islam

Easy to learn and practice.

No priesthood.

Teaches equality.

Non-Muslims, who were “Peoples of
the Book,” were allowed religious
freedom, but paid additional taxes.
The Spread of Islam
 Easily
“portable”  nomads & trade
routes.

Jihad (“Holy War”) against pagans
and other non-believers (“infidels”).
Five Pillars of Islam
1. The Shahada
 The testimony.

The profession of faith:
There is no god worthy
of worship except God,
and Muhammad is His
Messenger [or Prophet].
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.
2
3. The Zakat
 Almsgiving (charitable
donations).

Muslims believe that all things
belong to God.

Zakat means both “purification”
and “growth.”

About 2.5% of your income.
3
4. The Sawm
 Fasting during the holy month
of Ramadan.

Considered a method of self-purification.

No eating or drinking from
sunrise to sunset during
Ramadan.
4
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.
5
5. The Hajj
 Those who complete the pilgrimage
can add the title hajji to their name.
5
PROPHET’S MOSQUE in Madinah: the first mosque in Islam
Ka’bah
• Ka’bah- cube shaped
building that was built by
Abraham to honour God
• Viewed as Adam’s
original place of worship
• Was filled with idols as
people in Arabia followed
polytheism
• Muhammad- received
revelations that led to
Islam and monotheism
(and removal of idols)
• Site of hajj- pilgrimage to
Mecca
Other Islamic Religious
Practices
 Up to four wives allowed at once.

No alcohol or pork.

No gambling.

Sharia  body of Islamic law to
regulate daily living.

Three holiest cities in Islam:
* Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem.
Beliefs
1. Belief in only One God. He is defined as Eternal, Absolute,
Infinite, Compassionate and Merciful, the sole Creator and
Provider.
2. Engage only in Righteous Actions in all areas: spiritual,
intellectual and physical activity.
3. All God’s creation is “Muslim”. Only humans are given
CHOICE to submit (be Muslim) or reject submission to God’s will.
4. All children are born without sin and are Muslim. As they
grow older, they make their religious CHOICE.
5. God created human beings with a body and soul. The
body is a temporal host for this life, whereas the soul is eternal. It
is the soul that will survive beyond death.
6. Universality of the call. All Muslims are brothers and equals
without any distinction of class, race or tongue. Superiority is only
based on the greater fear of God and greater piety.
Jihad
• Jihad does not mean “holy war”;
• Literally, jihad means to strive, struggle and
exert effort;
• Concept includes struggle against evil
inclinations within oneself, struggle to improve
quality of life in society, struggle in the battlefield
for self defense or fighting against tyranny or
oppression.
Jihad
• There is no such thing as “holy war” in
Islam;
• It is the frequent repetition in the West that
many people accept it as if it were a fact.
Women’s Rights
• According to Qur’an, men and women are
equal before God
• Under Islamic law, women have the right
to own property, receive an education and
take part in community life
• Islamic rules for simple, modest and
dignified dress applies to women and men
equally
• In many Muslim countries there are
cultural practices that are inconsistent and
contrary to the authentic teachings of
Islam
Useful words
Allah. – God
Qur’an.- Muslim holy book
Mosque.- Place of worship
Wudu – the wash before prayer
Mihrad – Alcove or arch in prayer hall
Minbar – platform or stairs where the prayer leader
preaches
qiblah – direction of Mekkah
Mekkah – can be known as Mecca. A place in Saudi
Arabia
Imam – Muslin leader or teacher