Islam by sami

ISLAM

An Introduction to Islam

‫تقديم إلى إسالم‬ History of Western Civilization:

Byzantine Empire Unit

2008-09

Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Taj Mahal, India

Medina, Mosque

( the Prophetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mosque )

Medina, Mosque

( the Prophetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mosque )

Dome of The Rock, Jerusalem

Istanbul, Turkey

Cairo, Egypt

Damascus, Syria

Islamabad, Pakistan

Bombay, India

Jakarta, Indonesia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Rome, Italy

Dublin, Ireland

Guyana-Mosque

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA

Contents  The Basics  Demographics  History  Practice  Ethics  Sects  Women in Islam  Mosques  Islamic Art

The Basics

What does Islam mean?  Arabic root

word is SLM

 SLM=

Salaam = Peace

ISLAM = “Willful Surrender” “Willful Submission” MUSLIM = “One who submits to Allah”

The “6” Articles of Faith 

Belief in the Oneness of Allah (God)



Belief in the Angels created by Allah (God)



Belief in the Revealed Books of Allah (God)



Belief in the Messengers & Prophets of Allah (God)

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Belief in the Day of Judgment



Belief in Allah’s (God’s) Sovereignty (control) over Human Destiny & over all Affairs

Islam “A Faith of Human Unity”  It calls all humankind regardless of their

race and gender to unite in the worship of the One and Unique creator.  Islam considers all believers as brothers and sisters, and rejects discrimination on the basis of gender, color, race or ethnic background.  Humankind is one family, if one person suffers everyone should help alleviate that suffering

Allah  Allah is the Arabic name for God

used by Muslims of the world as well as Arab Christians.

 “He is God, the One and Only;

God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begets not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him.” (The Qur’an)

Prophets and Scriptures  SOME PROPHETS: Adam, Noah, Abraham,

Ishmael, Ishaq, Jacob (Israel), Joseph, Benjamin, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Zakareya, John, Jesus, Muhammad  DIVINE BOOKS: Torah, Zabur (Psalms), Injeel (Gospel), Qur’an  Belief in ALL prophets of God  Source of All Books is God  Main Message of all Prophets: Islam

Muslims Believe Muhammad Is: •The Last Messenger & Last Prophet •The Seal Of The Prophets •The Universal Prophet

Qur’an ‫القرآن‬ The Holy Book “The Recitation”

Islam maintains the integrity of original language (Arabic) Muslims of all language backgrounds recite Islamic verses in Arabic

Original message is intact, as given by the Prophet in Arabic  23 Years of Revelations (610 - 632 C.E.)  114 Chapters (Suras) 

– Each begins with the phrase:

“In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.”

‫بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم‬

Sunnah and Hadith Approvals, disapprovals of the Prophet Compiled in separate books, known as

Hadith books, after the death of the Prophet Classified from authentic to false.

Sharia & Fiqh  Sharia

– "the path leading to the watering place" – Islamic Law – covers all aspects of life – politics, society, daily life  Fiqh

– "jurisprudence" – the practical rules of the religion – what is required, forbidden,

recommended, disapproved or merely permitted

What Muslims believe about Jesus  Muslims respect , love and honor Jesus

 Jesus is considered a great messenger/

prophet  Jesus was born from the ‘virgin’ Mary  Jesus is a ‘word’ from God  Jesus is mentioned in 25 places in the Qur’an with names of respect and honor  However, Muslims do not consider Jesus to be of divine nature

What the Qur’an says about Jesus “We believe in Allah (God) and that which was revealed to us, and that which was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the tribes and that which was given to Moses, Jesus and to the Prophets from their Lord; We make NO distinction between any of them, and to Him (God) we submit.” (Qur’an, 3:83)

Becoming A Muslim Simply by saying with conviction…

“La ilaha illa Allah, wa Muhammad Rasullah.” …one becomes a Muslim.

This saying means: “There is no true deity, but Allah (God), and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of Allah.”

Demographics

So, where are Muslims ?

World Muslims 

1.7 billion Muslims worldwide (almost ¼ of the world’s population)

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57 countries with Muslims as a majority of the population, including 22 Arab countries.

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Country with the largest Muslim population is Indonesia.

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Only 18-25% of Muslims are Arabs

Muslims in America  2nd most common religion in America  One of the fastest growing religions in the

USA

 Estimated 7 to 8 million Muslims  Wide variety of ethnic

backgrounds/national origins

 Not all Muslims are Arabs…not all Arabs

are Muslims

History

Prophet Muhammad  Descendant of Ishmael, the first son of

Abraham.  Born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 570 AD  Received first revelation at the age 40 through angel Gabriel.  Died in the year 632 AD, after preaching Islam for 23 years.

Prophet Muhammad  Early years  Caravan experience = worldly knowledge

 Marriage to Khadija  Message from Gabriel  Persecution in Mecca  Justice & a following in Yathrib (Medina)  Conquest of Mecca  Spread of faith

Spread of Islam Islam, in the tenth century, was the main religion or -- at least -- the religion of the majority of peoples in an area covering more than half of the civilized world. ď Ź Stretching over three continents from the Pyrenees and Siberia in West and Northern Europe to the farthest end of Asia, up to China and New Guinea in the East; from Morocco in North Africa to the southern tip of Africa, covering two-thirds of the African continent. ď Ź

Spread of Islam

What Gandhi Said About Muhammad 

“I wanted to know the best of one who holds today’s undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind. I became convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and his followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle. When I closed the 2nd volume (of the Prophet’s biography), I was sorry there was not more for me to read of his great life.” Mahatma Gandhi

Sayings Of Prophet Muhammad The life & property of all people are considered sacred whether a person is Muslim or not.  No Supremacy: All people are equal.  “God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others.”  “None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”  “He who eats his fill while his neighbor goes without food is not a believer.” 



“No Arab has any superiority over a non Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab. Nor does a white man have any superiority over a black man, or the black man any superiority over the white man.”

For 500 to 1000 Years

Muslims Were The World Leaders in Science

Mathematics

Chemistry Algebra

Social Services Education

Hospitals

Universities

Physics

Arabic Numbers Medicine

Learning

Biology

Geometry

Knowledge

Law & Justice

Astronomy Engineering

Human Rights Exploration

Anatomy

Architecture

Civil Rights

Hygiene

Botany

Arts & Crafts

Commerce

Ethics

Poetry

Calligraphy

Industry

Etiquettes

Practice

Worship and Obedience

 Prayers (Salah)  Charity (Zakat)  Fasting ( Ramadan)  Pilgrimage (Hajj)  Any act done according to Qur’an & Sunnah

to please God

The Five Pillars of Islam

The Five Pillars Of Islam

( Forms Of Worship )

1) Declaration of Faith (Shahadah) 2) Prayers (Salah)

3) Charity (Zakat) 4) Fasting (Ramadan) 5) Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Declaration of Faith (Shahadah) To say, believe and testify that…

‫ال إله إال هللا‬ “La ilaha illa Allah” “There is no true deity, but Allah (God).” <Denial of other gods—affirmation of the one true God>

Prayers (Salah)  Five Daily Prayers from Dawn to Late

Evening regulate a Muslim’s day: a

dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset & night

 Prayers involve ablution, standing, bowing,

prostrating, sitting postures  Face Kabbah (in Mecca) a Mihrab  Prayers in Arabic.  Additional Prayers optional

Mosque Place of Worship Masjid in Arabic 1st mosque in the world was the Kaabah-- built by Abraham on an order from God.

Three holiest sites in Islam: 1) Masjid al-Haram in Mecca 2) Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina 3) Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem

Friday prayer key day of weekly gathering

The Call-to-Prayer (Al-adhan) 

Muezzin – “Caller-to-Prayer”

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Minaret – Tower (pictured)--part of Mosque

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Recitation/Chant – Testament of faith & call to prayer

Ablution (washing) before Prayer

Charity (Zakat) Required 2.5% charity on yearly savings  A Muslim must be a charitable person  Removing a stone from the road is charity  Greeting with a smile is a charity  Redistribution of wealth helps societies & people  Muslims are usually motivated to donate even more as optional charity  God rewards charity givers very generously in this life and in the hereafter. 

Fasting (Ramadan-Siyam) Ramadan is 9th month in Islamic Lunar calendar  Daily dawn to sunset fast for 30 days (no food or drink)  Eidul-Fitr Holiday at the end  This abstention includes food, drink and sexual relations.  Muslims believe the fasting person develops a greater understanding of the plight of those who go hungry every day. 

Hajj (Pilgrimage)  Pilgrimage to Mecca (Makkah) once

in life time for able Muslims  About 2-3 million Muslims perform Hajj each year from all over the world.  Eidul-Adha: the biggest Muslim Holiday

Eid Prayer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Islamic Holiday

Ethics

Muslim Character & Ethics Faith requires action  Excel in goodness  Enjoin what is right  Forbid what is wrong  Be educated, seek knowledge  Have integrity, be honest and sincere  Be modest, humble and pious 

Be pure, clean, and sober  Be just, noble, and steadfast  Show forgiveness, be kind and generous  Be optimistic, thankful, and happy  Obey the 10 Commandments  Trust God with all your heart, mind and soul 

Muslim Character & Ethics Mankind is One family  If one person suffers, everyone suffers  All life is sacred  All human rights should be protected  Love one another  Show moderation in everything 

Love for others what you love for yourself  Take care of orphans, widows & the needy  Defend the weak  Free the oppressed  Fulfill your trusts, commitments & promises  Be just 

Guidance from the Qur’an & Hadith • Food • Human Equality

• Justice • Repel Evil with Goodness • Suicide and Jihad

Food

Forbidden: • Meat of animals found dead • Blood • Flesh of swine • Alcoholic beverages (such as beer and wine) and intoxicants • Meat on which name of God is not invoked at time of slaughtering or meat on which some one else’s name is invoked Permitted: food of the People of the Book

Human Equality in Islam The Prophet Muhammad said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;No Arab has any superiority over a nonArab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab. Nor does a white man have any superiority over a black man, or the black man any superiority over the white man. You are all the children of Adam, and Adam was created from clay.â&#x20AC;?

Justice in Islam “Do not let your hatred of a people incite you to aggression.” (Qur’an 5:2) “Do not let ill-will towards any folk incite you so that you swerve from dealing justly. Be just.” (Qur’an 5:8) “Oh you who believe, stand up firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even if it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be against rich or poor; for God can best protect both. Do not follow any passion, lest you not be just. And if you distort or decline to do justice, verily God is well-acquainted with all that you do.” (Qur’an 4:135)

Repel Evil with Goodness  “Nor can goodness and evil be equal. Repel

(Evil) with what is better: Then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!” (Qur’an 41:34)  “Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men; for God loves those who do good.” (Qur’an 3:134)

Suicide is a Grave Sin “O ye who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities: But let there be amongst you traffic and trade by mutual good-will: Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily God has been to you Most Merciful!” (Qur’an, 4:29)

No Terrorism

(Forbidden in Islam) Islamic Rulings (Fatwah’s) condemned attacks on September 11, 2001, the London bombings and others – Worldwide Islamic leaders signed on to these condemnations – Worldwide Islamic Organizations issued condemnations  Muslim anxiety over religious misinterpretations – Feel that Islam and Muslims are being held responsible unfairly for actions of “deviated people.” 

 

Islamic Jihad

Linguistic meaning: “Striving” / “Struggling” Islamic meaning:  



Non-violent struggling within oneself for a life of virtue. Fighting to establish justice, which is a supreme goal.

Rules of Engagement (Fighting) In Islam ~Commanded by Prophet Muhammad       

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Never Kill Innocent People Never Injure Prisoners-of-War Never Kill Animals Never Destroy Crops or Infrastructures Never Mutilate Bodies of Enemies--dead or alive All Prisoners Should be Given Fair Treatment Women & Children Should be Protected From Harm Always Bury the Dead With Respect

Note: 1,400 Years BEFORE Geneva Convention

Sects

Sects within Islam  There are divisions within Islam – just as in Christianity, Judaism,

Hinduism and Buddhism

 Two primary sects: Sunni & Shi’a – Sunni: ~85-90% – Shi’a: ~10-15%  including parts of Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Afghanistan  Third (Minor) sect: Sufism – Mystical order – May include Sunni and Shi'a followers

Sects within Islam Sunni & Shi’a Muslims share the most fundamental Islamic beliefs and articles of faith.

Nature of the two divisions: 

1)Political • Succession of the Prophet (Political Leadership)



2)Spiritual • Veneration/worship of Imams (Spiritual Leadership)

Sects within Islam “Sunni” (“Sunnah” root): “one who follows the traditions of the Prophet” -- “well-trodden path” -- “tradition” 1) Successor to the Prophet should have been the most capable leader, NOT based upon bloodlines.  This is what occurred. 2) Spiritual leadership is NOT a birthright, born of community trust and respect Approximately 85-90% of Muslims are from the Sunni branch

Sects within Islam

Shi’a is from: “Shi’a-t-Ali” -- “partisans” – “Party of Ali”  1) Successor to the Prophet should have been through bloodlines: – First, Ali (son-in-law and cousin of

Muhammad) – Then, through Fatima’s (Ali’s wife and Muhammad’s daughter) children.  2) Spiritual leadership is anointed

directly from Allah (God).

– Imam is sinless and infallible by nature.

Sects within Islam

•Sunni and Shi’a also differ in lesser ways: •Sunni believe the al-Mahdi (vice-regent of Allah) will arrive at/on Judgment Day •Shi’a believe al-Mahdi is on earth, “Hidden” and will emerge at/on Judgment Day

•Subgroups/”schools” of Sunni: •Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanafi, Hanbali (most conservative) •Subgroups/”schools” of Shi’a: •Ithna ‘Ashariyah (“Twelvers”--the largest), Isma'iliyah and Zaydiyah

Women in Islam

Islamic Teaching About Women  The keys to heaven lay at the feet of the

Mother.  Your Mother deserves “3” times the respect, honor, devotion & admiration over the Father  The Prophet said: He who is best to his wife is best in the sight of Allah (God).  The Prophet taught all to be Kind, Gentle & Loving With Women

Pre-Islamic Status Of Women 

      

570 A.D. Very male chauvinistic  Not equal to men society  Given away by husband No Rights - No Status  Exchanged for goods & services No Inheritance  Traded, bought & sold No say in marriage Meanwhile… Considered property of  Other nations doing the husbands same Lost her name  Some Christian Councils Burden on society still argued whether women had souls Her money, property, belonged to the husband

Post-Islamic Status Of Women 623 A.D.  



Women = Men Equal… – In the sight of God – In belief, prayer, fasting, charity, pilgrimage – Rewards & punishments – Rights & status Right to… – Inheritance – Initiate Marriage – Initiate Divorce – Choose In Marriage – Keep Her Name – Refuse marriage proposals

Right to… – Own property – Work – Be educated – Be protected by men – Be respected, loved, admired  Can NOT be traded, bought, sold  All her money is hers  All her property is hers  Men required to give dowry in marriage  Asset to society  Honored in society  Integral part of all societal affairs 

Islamic Dress Pictures-Women

Hijab

‫حجاب‬ The Hijab primarily refers to a woman's head & body covering  Addresses the norms of modesty, privacy & morality  In the Qur’an: a headscarf or veil is a “khimār” 

(‫)خمار‬

The Burqa: most extreme--not even a woman's eyes are visible

Hijab

‫حجاب‬ Afghani Burqa Iranian Hijab

Hijab Sportswear

Similar head coverings may been seen across cultural lines and throughout history -- see following pages a

Mosques

Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Taj Mahal, India

Medina, Mosque

( the Prophetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mosque )

Medina, Mosque

( the Prophetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mosque )

Dome of The Rock, Jerusalem

Istanbul, Turkey

Cairo, Egypt

Damascus, Syria

Islamabad, Pakistan

Bombay, India

Jakarta, Indonesia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Rome, Italy

Dublin, Ireland

Guyana-Mosque

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA

Islamic Art

Islamic Arts

‫ترحيب إلى العالم اإلسالم‬ (Welcome to the world of Islam.)

‫و‬ ‫شكرا جزيال‬ (Many thanks.)

‫مع سالم‬ (Go in Peace.)