The Religion of Islam

Chapter 1.3

Background

• Democratic and vital religion

• 1/7th of the world’s population–All races, nationalities, and colors

–Common way of life

• Worship of Allah- One God

Muslim Belief

• Changed very little since the days of the Prophet• Visualize a temple, resting upon five pillars

Faith

Prayer

sharing

Fasting

Pilgrimage

Faith

• Declare before another Muslim– “There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his

prophet”

• Belief in Three Things– Quran

• Things revealed by God• Laws, stories, how to conduct family life, deal with others.

– Angel’s as instruments of God’s Will– Belief in a final day of judgment

• Appeal is in simplicity– No ceremonies, sacraments, priesthood or practices

Prayer

• Meuzzin– Man who calls Muslims to prayer.

• Declares “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is His prophet”

– Five Times a day• Morning, noon, afternoon, sunset and evening• Kneel facing Mecca• Mithrab- corner in mosque used for prayer

– No organized prayer» Sunday sermon follows noon-day prayer

– Most men go once a day to the mosque to pray

Almsgiving-Sharing

• No organized charity when Muhammad lived– He was an orphan– Dependant on the charity of individuals

• Those who can share give a generous share of what they can to Muslims who are poor or sick

Fasting

• Occurs during special Month• Ramadan

– Fast from Sunrise to Sunset• No food, drink or smoking

– Encourage self-discipline– At Evening

• Children join parents for in breaking the fast

– With sweets (dates, cool drink)

– All sit to an “evening breakfast”

Pilgrimage

• Hajj– Pilgrimage, sacred journey to Mecca– Once in their life– Great festival in the twelfth month– Stop at the Kaba

Islam and Others

• Quran– Filled with similar people and stories of Jewish

and Christians• Noah, Abraham, and Moses• Muhammad saw himself as a prophet

– Jewish and Christians- “people of the book”• One single God• Respected Muslim rule allowed to practice their

religions and have business– Paid special tax - Jizyah

Men and Women

• Muhammad said Muslims equal in spirit– Both rich and poor, men or women– Women in early Islam

• Right to education, marry who they want

– In the community• Men involved outside of home

– Inherit more property– Must treat wife well

– As early Islam took over new lands• Adopted their views on roles and adopted them into their

religion

Schism

• 656- Uthman ruler assassinated• Divide on who can rule

– Next few hundred years• Smaller group= Shiites

– Ruler should be descendant of Muhammad» Inspired by God just has Muhammad» Able to speak on teaching in Quran

• Larger group= Sunni– Any truly religious Muslim could lead– No one could share teachings of Quran

» Done by group of elders/scholars