ISLAM - Introduction to Islam

ISLAM
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
 Introduction to Islam

1. Islam is a religion based on

belief.
2. To believe requires faith and
trust.
3. The people who follow Islam are
called Muslim.
 Introduction to Islam

4. The worldwide community is

called ummah.
5. Islam is considered to be one
large family but united in the
eyes of Allah who is the almighty
God who created all things.
 Introduction to Islam

6. To be a true Muslim means to

accept Allah as the one true God
and to submit to His will.

7. Islam means “submission.”

 Origins of Islam

1. The roots of Islam go back

to Abraham.
2. He is considered to be the
father of Islam.
 Abraham and the Kabbah

Abraham had fathered

a son before the birth
of Isaac.
The boy was Ishmael,
whose mother was
Abraham’s servant,
Hagar.
 Abraham and the Kabbah

Abraham’s wife became jealous so

God told Abraham to bless the child
and to send him and his mother
south into the desert.
They wandered the desert until they
ran out of water.
 Abraham and the Kabbah

. An angel appeared to them and told

them not to be afraid. Out of a rock
sprang water. This well was called,
Zamzam, where the city of Mecca
was born.
 Abraham and the Kabbah

. Abraham travelled into Arabia to

visit Ishmael. Muslims believe
that God told Abraham to build
a holy sanctuary known as the
House of God. This site was
called the Kabbah meaning
“cube”.
Ka’ba
Understanding
Muhammad:
His Life and
Times
A prophet of
GOD, but not a
god himself.

He is NOT
worshipped.
 The Life of Muhammad:
Born in Saudi Arabia, in the city of
Mecca
A trader until age 40, when Qur’an
revealed to him
His teachings are the foundation of
Islam
The Life of Muhammad:

Muhammad slowly began to attract some

followers, most of them are young and of
modest social standing
He and his followers make polytheist in
Mecca angry, and they moved to Medina.
(hijra)
After a decade, he invades Mecca
Later, he leads some battles himself to
“defend his faith”
The Life of Muhammad:

Muhammad’s life was cut short by his

sudden death on June 8, 632 about 60 years
old
Within 100 years, Islam spread across the
world, occupying more territory than the
Roman Empire
 Wisdom – Prophet Muhammad
1. Muhammad was born
in Mecca in 569 C.E.
2. He was a man of deep
faith and prayed regularly.
3. He isolated himself
and prayed in a cave on the
Mountain of Light.
Wisdom – Prophet Muhammad
4. When he was 40 years old the
angel Gabriel appeared to him in
the cave.
5. Gabriel told him that he was
chosen as the final messenger to all
mankind.
Wisdom – Prophet Muhammad
6. Gabriel told him to recite the words
on the cloth he was carrying.
Muhammad could not read before
that night he recited the verses.
7. Muhhamad began to reveal and
proclaim the messages given to him.
8. After his death these were written
in the holy book of Islam called the
Koran.
 The Beginning
Muhammad wrote the Koran,
Islam means “to submit to
but Muslims believe that
God.” A muslim is “one
Allah (God) put the words
who submits to God.”
into Muhammad’s head.
Muhammad began preaching Muslims call god “Allah.”
his beliefs in Mecca, which
created tension because it
was a polytheistic city. He
was forced to leave because
his new religion was
threatening.
 Muhammad the Soldier
Muhammad slowly built up an army to take
over Mecca. By 624 the first battles occurred,
by 629 the Muslims had conquered Mecca.
 Taking over Mecca
Upon taking over Mecca,
Muhammad and the Muslims
destroyed all religious
worship idols there. They
were worshipping polytheistic
gods, and the Muslims were not
going to tolerate it.

However, they did tolerate

other monotheistic religions
as long as they paid a tax
(Judaism).
Muhammad's Death = Power Struggl
Abu Bakr vs. Ali Talib
-Father-in-law of prophet -Son in law and cousin of
Muhammad.
-Prominent companion
-Took place in several of
of Muhammad.
the raids Muslims had
-Fought side-by-side with against Mecca.
Muhammad's in
Muhammad's many -Had direct bloodline to
battles. Muhammad.

SUNNI SHIA
 The Election
In order to decide who is worthy to be the next
Caliph (the leader of the Muslim community) the
Muslims had a vote.

Abu Bakr won the majority.

Despite the results, the Talib supporters continued
to insist that Talib was the true successor. This
began the divide known as Sunni and Shias.
 Sunni / Shia Divide
Following Muhammad's death, two groups
would continue to exist in Islam, the Sunnis
and Shias. The divide still exists today,
and is the root to many geo-political issues in
the middle eastern region.
Islam means,
“SUBMISION”

Muslims means,
“ONE WHO
SUBMITS”
 Qur’an
The holy book of the Muslims
God’s revelations to Muhammad
114 chapters (suras)

Written in Arabic.
In the name of Allah,
the compassionate,
the merciful.
 MECCA
The holy city
of the Muslims

This already
appeared at the
time Muhammad
was born
 KA’BA
Located at the center of Mecca
A square building containing a sacred Black
Stone said to have been given by God
The most holy site in the Islamic Religion
 The Mosque
place of worship of the Muslims
 The Dome of the Rock
Mosque in Jerusalem

Mount Moriah Rock

where Muhammad ascended into heaven.
 Wisdom – Muslim Beliefs
The most fundamental beliefs of Islam are
1. In Allah
 Wisdom – Muslim Beliefs
The most fundamental beliefs of Islam are
1. In Allah
2. In the will of Allah
 Wisdom – Muslim Beliefs
The most fundamental beliefs of Islam are
1. In Allah
2. In the will of Allah
3. In the angels of Allah
 Wisdom – Muslim Beliefs
The most fundamental beliefs of Islam are
1. In Allah
2. In the will of Allah
3. In the angels of Allah
4. In the books of Allah
 Wisdom – Muslim Beliefs
The most fundamental beliefs of Islam are
1. In Allah
2. In the will of Allah
3. In the angels of Allah
4. In the books of Allah
5. In the prophets or messengers of
Allah
 Wisdom – Muslim Beliefs
The most fundamental beliefs of Islam are
1. In Allah
2. In the will of Allah
3. In the angels of Allah
4. In the books of Allah
5. In the prophets or messengers of Allah
6. In the day of judgment
 Wisdom – Muslim Beliefs
The most fundamental beliefs of Islam are
1. In Allah
2. In the will of Allah
3. In the angels of Allah
4. In the books of Allah
5. In the prophets or messengers of Allah
6. In the day of judgment
7. In life after death
 Islamic Beliefs about Allah
1. Muslims believe
that Allah has inspired
all the books
mentioned in the
Koran.
 Islamic Beliefs about Allah
1. Muslims believe that Allah has
inspired all the books mentioned in
the Koran.
2. Allah has revealed
in the Koran the way
in which He expects
people to live.
.
 Islamic Beliefs about Allah
1. Muslims believe that Allah has inspired all
the books mentioned in the Koran.
2. Allah has revealed in the Koran the way in
which He expects people to live.

3. Muslims believe that Allah is

one, that Allah creates and
sustains all things and that there
is no other God except Him.
 Islamic Beliefs about Allah
The word “Islam” means
“submission”. The way in
which Muslims submit
themselves to the will of
Allah reflects what Muslims
believe about Allah and the
way in which Allah expects
them to live their lives.
Worship & Works
 FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

Mandatory
practices
in the
religion
of Islam.
 The Five Pillars of Islam
The Five Pillars of Islam represent the
duties of a Muslim. Like the Ten
Commandments they provide a spiritual
foundation and function.
The Star the Crescent Moon
Islam began in the desert of Arabia among
nomadic farmers who would travel by night.
The moon would provide light through the
darkness of night and the stars gave fixed
points which people could use to navigate the
desert.
 The First Pillar of Faith
Declaration of Faith
(Shahadah)

1. This is the main religious belief of all

Muslim people and it is the
declaration of their faith.
 The First Pillar of Faith
Declaration of Faith
(Shahadah)

“There is no god but Allah;

Muhammad is his
messenger”

Anyone who says these words and

means it can become a
Muslim.
 1. The Testimony of
Faith: Shahada
Saying the Shahada
throughout the day
“There is no other
1
god but Allah, and
Muhammad is his
prophet.”
 Second Pillar of Faith
Prayer (Salah)

Pray five times a day

facing Mecca. They must
pray at dawn, at noon, in the
afternoon, at sunset and
before bed.
 2. Prayer: Salat
Praying five times a day facing
Mecca:
* dawn
2
* noon
* mid-afternoon
* sunset
* nightfall
Muslim communities gather for
collective prayer mostly on Fridays
2. Salat

2
 Second Pillar of Faith
Prayer (Salah)

 Pray five times a day facing

Mecca. They must pray at
dawn, at noon, in the
afternoon, at sunset and
before bed.
In Muslim countries,
the call to prayer is
announced from a
minaret atop a mosque.
 Second Pillar of Faith
Prayer (Salah)

They gather to pray in

a mosque..
Second Pillar of Faith
Prayer (Salah)

The leader of the

mosque is called
the Imam. The
imam leads prayer
and gives
sermons.
Second Pillar of Faith
Prayer (Salah)

Muslims follow a
ritual of washing
before prayer.
 Third Pillar of Faith
Give to the poor and sick - Zakah
Look after others
 Third Pillar of Faith
Give to the poor and sick - Zakah
Look after others
Give up a share of one’s wealth to
become cleansed from selfishness and
greed. This money might be to provide
education, keep up or build
mosques or help the needy.
 Third Pillar of Faith
Give to the poor and sick - Zakah
Look after others
Give up a share of one’s wealth to
become cleansed from selfishness and
greed. This money might be to provide
education, keep up or build mosques or
help the needy.
This is regarded as a religious duty -
WORK of Islam
 Fourth Pillar of Faith
Fasting during Ramadan-Sawm
 Most demanding of the 5 pillars
 Requires one to fast during the ninth month of the
Islamic Calendar
 4. Fasting: Sawm
During Ramadan, Muslims cannot
eat or drink anything during the
daylight hours

4
Eid Mubarak

End of Ramadan.
 Fourth Pillar of Faith
Fasting during Ramadan-Sawm
Food and drink are not permitted
between dawn and sunset

after sunset
only light
snacks are
allowed
 Fourth Pillar of Faith
Fasting during Ramadan-Sawm
Ramadan represents a time of
purification and religious devotion
Alcohol and tobacco are prohibited
during the entire month
The focus is more on making
strong family ties
 The Fifth Pillar
 All Pilgrimage -Hajj

Muslims have a duty to try to make a

pilgrimage to the Kaaba in Mecca at least
once during their lifetime. Very often whole
families will save to send one person at a
time.
“HAJJ ”
Pilgrimage to Mecca
 The Fifth Pillar - Pilgrimage -Hajj

The men who make the pilgrimage wear an

ihram which is made up of two sheets. They
must not be sewn. Also they wear special
open shoes. This clothing is a symbol of
peace and obedience to God..
 Seven Stages of the Hajj
1. Walk counter-clockwise seven times around the Kabbah
2. Run seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah where
Hagar, the prophetess of Abraham searched for water for her
child. Allah provided water in the form of the Well of Zamzam
where pilgrims will stop to drink
3. Stay overnight at the village of Mina
4. Hold prayer all day at the Mount of Mercy (Mount Arafat)
5. Spend the night at Muzdalifah where they collect stones to
throw at the pillars of Mina (Mina is where Abraham and his
family resisted the temptations of the Devil.)
6. Return to Mina for the ritual of “Stoning of the Devil”
7. Pilgrims circle the Kabbah seven times
As a sign of completion of the Hajj, men will have their heads
shaved
 Six Articles of Belief
Belief in one God (Allah)
Belief in the books sent by God:
*Suhuf –scripts of Abraham
*Tawrat –sent to Moses (Torah)
*Zabur –sent to David (Psalms)
*Iniil –sent to Jesus (Gospels)
*Qur’an –sent to Muhammad
Belief in all prophets sent by God:
*124,000 prophets, of whom 313 of those are
messengers
*25 of these messengers are very important
(mentioned in the Qur’an)
 Six Articles of Belief

Belief in the Angels of whom four are held in

high esteem and are named in the Qur’an
Belief in the Day of Judgment when you die and
in the life after death
Belief in Fate (predestination)
*Muslims believed in the divine destiny
 Other Belief

Islam Emphasizes:

Islam Forbids the

Tolerance Consumption of:
Humility
Justice Pork (pigs believed to
Generosity be unclean)
Alcoholic drinks
Obedience to the Law
Courage
 More Works
1. Dietary restrictions (Haram) – prohibited foods include:

Products made from a pig

 More Works
1. Dietary restrictions (Haram) – prohibited foods include:
Products made from a pig
Meat containing blood
 More Works
1. Dietary restrictions (Haram) – prohibited foods include:
Products made from a pig
Meat containing blood

Meat from an animal that dies

due to disease or natural
causes
 More Works
1. Dietary restrictions (Haram) – prohibited foods include:
Products made from a pig
Meat containing blood
Meat from an animal that dies due to disease
or natural causes

Any flesh-eating animal

 More Works
1. Dietary restrictions (Haram) – prohibited foods include:
Products made from a pig
Meat containing blood
Meat from an animal that dies due to disease
or natural causes
Any flesh-eating animal
Any animal that has been killed
by another animal
 More Works
1. Dietary restrictions (Haram) – prohibited foods include:
Products made from a pig
Meat containing blood
Meat from an animal that dies due to disease
or natural causes
Any flesh-eating animal
Any animal that has been killed by another
animal

Any animal that has been

sacrificed to idols
 More Works
2. Take responsibility for creation
 More Works
2. Take responsibility for creation
3.Care for all creatures – no hunting
for enjoyment
 More Works
2. Take responsibility for creation
3.Care for all creatures – no hunting
for enjoyment
4.People must not abuse themselves
eg. Alcohol is prohibited
 More Works
2. Take responsibility for creation
3.Care for all creatures – no hunting
for enjoyment
4.People must not abuse themselves
eg. Alcohol is prohibited
5.All humans must be treated with
dignity – promote what is right and
forbid what is wrong
 More Works
2. Take responsibility for creation
3.Care for all creatures – no hunting
for enjoyment
4.People must not abuse themselves
eg. Alcohol is prohibited
5.All humans must be treated with
dignity – promote what is right and
forbid what is wrong
6.Give charity to the poor
 Mosque

The Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey

1.Most Muslim communities have a

special building in which to
worship called a mosque
 Mosque

The Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey

1. Most Muslim communities have a special building in

which to worship called a mosque

2.Most important day of worship is

Friday, the Muslim Sabbath
 Mosque

The Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey

1. Most Muslim communities have a special building in

which to worship called a mosque
2. Most important day of worship is Friday, the Muslim
Sabbath

3.Traditional mosques are built

around a large dome
 Mosque

The Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey

1. Most Muslim communities have a special building in

which to worship called a mosque
2. Most important day of worship is Friday, the Muslim
Sabbath
3. Traditional mosques are built around a large dome

4.The interior is covered with

prayer rugs
 Mosque

5. Most mosques offer running

water to wash before prayer
 Mosque

5. Most mosques offer running water to wash before prayer

. When Muslims pray they face

6

Mecca
 Mosque

5. Most mosques offer running water to wash before prayer

6. When Muslims pray they face Mecca

7. The walls and ceiling are inlaid

with inscriptions of the Koran done
in calligraphy.
 Mosque

5. Most mosques offer running water to wash before prayer

6. When Muslims pray they face Mecca
7. The walls and ceiling are inlaid with inscriptions of the Koran done in
calligraphy.

8. A minaret is a tall tower which

calls Muslims to prayer.
Major Muslim
Holidays
Ramadan - main holiday observed by all Muslims
The whole 9th month of the Muslim lunar calendar,
during which Muslims avoid having evil thoughts/
actions

Celebrates receiving the Qur’an

Cannot eat or drink from sunrise to sunset