Introduction to

Islam
By: Karez Hassan
Islamic Foundation of Lincoln

What is Islam?
The word Islam derives from the
Arabic word salema which means
Submission
Obedience
Sincerity
Peace
In the religious sense, Islam means
submission or surrender to the will
of Allah (God) and obedience to his
laws.

Islam
Islam is the religion and the people who
practice Islam are called Muslims.
Islam is a monotheistic religion; it
strictly believes in one God (Allah), who
is the supreme Lord who is the
originator and creator of the Universe.
He comes from nothing and nothing
comes from Him.
Islam is the fastest growing religion in
the world

So who is Allah?
Allah is the Arabic word for One God.
Arab Christians use the same word,
Allah
The word Allah cannot be made plural in
Arabic, it is always singular.
Muslims believe in Allah-the one true
God of the universe.

Who is the Prophet?

Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Upon him)
is the Prophet of Islam who delivered the
message of one true God to mankind.
At age 40, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be
Upon Him), received his first revelations of
the Quran from Angel Gabriel by the will of
Allah.
He preached a strong justice message about
equality and poverty.

Other Prophets
Islam is not a new religion. It has been
around since the first man and woman were
created (Adam and Eve).
Muslims believe in all the prophets; Adam,
Abraham, Moses, Issac, David, Jesus (peace
and blessings be upon them all), and finally
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be
upon him) who were all Muslims preaching
the same message-The One True God.
Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad
(peace and blessings be upon him) is the
LAST prophet sent to mankind (the seal of all
prophets) and no other prophet will come
after him.

What about Jesus?

Muslims do not believe that Jesus (peace be
upon him) was the son of God. Muslims
believe that Jesus, was a messenger of God
just like Prophet Muhammad (Peace and
Blessings upon him) and his sole purpose
was to deliver the message of One True God.

What is the Quran?

The holy Quran is the book of Muslims
The holy Quran (Koran) is the last and final
word of God Almighty and a message to
mankind.
It is a collection of 114 chapters or Surahs that
were revealed to prophet Muhammad (peace
be upon him), by revelation through Archangel
Gabriel by the will of God Al-Mighty over a
period of 23 years.
The holy Quran has been preserved for 1400
years, and not one word has been changed
from its original content in Arabic
Its translated to every language one can
image!

5 Pillars in Islam
Iman (faith) - Believing that Allah is One and that Muhammad (peace and
blessings be upon him) is the last messenger, and no messengers will come after
him. La Ilaha Illallah Muhammad Rasulullah! In order for one to become Muslim,
one must say this (Shahada) with firm belief, with two witnesses (male) or four
(females) present.

Salah (Prayer)- Performing the five daily prayers. There is no excuse, you
have to pray, if youre sick, sit and pray, if your body doesnt work, use your
eyes.

Zakat (Charity)- Giving charity to the poor. Muslims must give 2.5% of their
annual income to those who need it. They have to have at least 1000 dollars or
more of wealth saved up for a whole year in order to count.
You add up all your gold, silver, money, and/or property that is making money and take 2.5%
from it. Anyone who has this much money must pay zakat, even if they are in debt.

Seyam (Fasting) - Fasting in the month of Ramadan is obligatory upon every

Muslim. The ones who shouldnt fast are, children, the sick, traveling, pregnant,
women on their period, is mentality unstable, and very old and weak. They
either have to make up the days later on, or feed one poor Muslim person for
each day, unless the person is mentality unstable and is a child; theyre excused.

Hajj- Performing the pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia once in your life time.
You have to have money, you cannot be in debt, and you have to be able to go
and arent physically/mentally sick.

Muslims have 6 pillars of faith

Belief in:
Iman (Faith) - Believing that Allah is One and that Muhammad (peace and blessings
be upon him) is the last messenger, and no messengers will come after him. La Ilaha
Illallah Muhammad Rasulullah! In order for one to become Muslim, one must say this
(Shahada) with firm belief, with two witnesses (male) or four (females) present.
The Angels- Believe in Angels, they are Allahs creation, who serve Allah and never
disobey him.
The Books of Allah- Believe in Allahs books, first, we have to believe in Quran-its
the true word of Allah that was sent down by angel Jibreel to Prophet Muhammad
(Peace and Blessings Be upon Him). It has never been changed, and it is the final
revelation and nothing will come after it.
Quran- was revealed to Prophet Muhammad
Suhuf (Scrolls)- were revealed to Prophet Ibrahim
Tawrah (Torah) - was revealed to Prophet Musa (Moses).
Zabur (Psalms) - was revealed to Prophet Dawood (David).
Injil (Bible) - was revealed to Prophet Isa (Jesus).
Prophets- Believe in Allahs prophets. Prophets were human beings chosen by Allah,
to send the message to mankind about there is only one God. We see Prophets as
teachers who taught us how to worship Allah and get close to Allah (God). The only
prophet we follow is Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)
teachings.
We have to believe in Adam, Jesus, Moses, David, Ibrahim, etc.
Judgement Day (Paradise and Hell) - We have to believe that one day the whole
world will come to an end. We will be judged by Allah, and either go to Paradise or
hell.
Divine Decree- That everything happens by Allahs will. How we react to it is what
Allah judges on.

Stereotypes/Misconception
about Islam
1. Islam is a religion that promotes violence

and terrorism.
Islam totally prohibits terrorismthere is no text that
endorses that. This is the biggest misconception about
Islam, no doubt resulting from the constant stereotyping
and bashing the media gives Islam.
And the servants of the Most Merciful (Allah) are those who walk upon
the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they
say [words of] peace, (Quran 25:63)
The Quran says: "Fight in the cause of God against those who fight
you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors."
(Quran 2:190) "If they seek peace, then you seek peace. And trust in
God for He is the One that hears and knows all things." (Quran 8:61)
whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the
land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. (Quran 5:32)

Stereotypes/Misconceptio
n about Islam
2. Islam guides followers to oppress women.
Prior to Islam, women were forced into marriage, buried alive, were seen
as inferiors to men and had to obey them and enslave to them. They had
no right to education, nor inheritance, and their primary job was to cater
to her familyeither hers or her husbands once she got married.
After when Islam came, women were given massive rights:
Right to inherit property, get educated, conduct business/work, right to
choose her own husband (if she is forced then the marriage is invalid)
and keep her last name. Women have the same duties as man when it
comes to worship. Men and women are viewed as equals before God, in
terms of both receiving equal reward and accountability for their actions.
The only thing that distinguishes people in the sight of God is their level
of piety.
"Verily the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah is the most God
conscious. (Quran 49:13)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) wife Khadija was a wealthy business
women who was quite educated. His other wife Aysha is a scholar in
islam.

Stereotypes/Misconceptio
n about Islam
3. Women are forced by men to wear a headscarf, or hijab.
Muslim women are required to modestly cover their body with clothes
that do not reveal their figure in front of non-closely related males,
(as men have their own form of modesty which they must abide by).
However, hijab is not just about outer appearances; it is also about
noble speech, modesty, and dignified conduct. Although there are
many benefits of the hijab, the key reason Muslim women observe
hijab is because it is a command from Allah (God), and He knows
what is best for His creation. The hijab empowers a woman by
emphasizing her inner spiritual beauty, rather than her superficial
appearance. It gives women the freedom to be active members of
society, while maintaining their modesty. The hijab does not
symbolize suppression, oppression or silence. Rather, it is a guard
against degrading remarks, unwanted advances and unfair
discrimination. Rules about modesty are open to a wide range of
interpretations. That is why women in Saudi Arabia must cover
everything but their eyes, hands and feet, while many women in
Turkey observe no special rules about dress. Further, women in other
religious traditions also wear special clothing. Think about Catholic
nuns, Amish women, and Orthodox Jewish women.

Stereotypes/Misconceptio
n about Islam
4. All Muslim men marry four wives.
The religion of Islam was revealed for all societies and all times and
so accommodates widely differing social requirements.
Circumstances may warrant the taking of another wife but the right
is granted, according to the Quran, only on condition that the
husband is scrupulously fair. No woman can be forced into this kind
of marriage if they do not wish it, and they also have the right to
exclude it in their marriage contract. Polygamy is neither
mandatory, nor encouraged, but merely permitted. A man is only
allowed at most four wives only if he can fulfill the stringent
conditions of treating each fairly and providing each with separate
housing etc. Permission to practice polygamy is not associated
with mere satisfaction of passion. It is rather associated with
compassion toward widows and orphans. It was the Quran that
limited and put conditions on the practice of polygamy among the
Arabs, who had as many as ten or more wives and considered them
"property". It is both honest and accurate to say that it is Islam
that regulated this practice, limited it, made it more humane, and
instituted equal rights and status for all wives.

Stereotypes/Misconceptio
n about Islam
5. All Muslims are Arabs
The Muslim population of the world is around 1.6 billion
(pewresearch). 1 out of 4 people in the world is aMuslim.
They are a vast range of races, nationalities, and cultures
from around the globe--from the Phillipines to Nigeria--they
are united by their common Islamic faith. Only about 18%
livein the Arab world and the largest Muslim community is
in Indonesia. Most Muslims live east of Pakistan. 30% of
Muslims live in the Indian subcontinent, 20% in Sub-Saharan
Africa, 17% in Southeast Asia, 18% in the Arab world, and
10% in the Soviet Union and China. Turkey, Iran and
Afghanistan make up 10% of the non-Arab Middle East.
Although there are Muslim minorities in almost every area,
including Latin America and Australia, they are most
numerous in Russia and its newly independent states, India
and central Africa. There are approximately 6 million
Muslims in the United States (Americanthinker).

QUESTIONS?