Islam
Islam is the second largest religion in the world after Christianity. As a monotheistic faith that originated in the Middle East, Islam holds many beliefs and practices in common with Judaism and Christianity.
Comparing the Religions
Judaism Christianity Islam
Origin Unknown 33 AD 622 AD
Sacred Text Torah Bible Qur’an (Koran)
Adherents Jews Christians Muslims
Church and State Separated Separated Integrated
Major splits Reform/Orthodox, 1800s CE
Catholic/Orthodox, 1054Catholic/Protestant, 1500s
Shia/Sunni, c. 650 CE
view of fellow Abrahamic religions
Islam and Christianity are false interpretations and extensions of Judaism.
Judaism is a true religion, but with incomplete revelation. Islam is a false religion.
Jews & Christians respected as "People of the Book," but have wrong beliefs, only partial revelation.
Means of salvation belief in God, good deeds
correct belief, faith, good deeds, sacraments (some Protestants emphasize faith alone)
Correct belief, good deeds, Five Pillars
What is Islam and how is it related to Judaism and Christianity?
Islam = “peace,” “submission” Muslim = “submitter” Not “Mohammedanism”
Abraham’s two sons: Isaac the Hebrews (Judaism Christianity) Ishmael the Arabs (Islam)
Islam respects the two earlier Abrahamic religions as “Peoples of the Book”
Who was Muhammad
b. 570 CE, d. 632 CE Prophet/founder; human, not divine Lived in Arabia, near Mecca Orphaned by age 6, raised by grandfather and
uncle Worked as a caravan driver for a woman –
Khadija – 15 years his senior Age 25: accepted offer to marry Khadija Sired six children, only one daughter – Fatimah
– had children of her own Age 40: Revelation begins 610 CE, continues
throughout remainder of the Prophet’s life
What is the Qur’an?
Holy book of Islam Revealed to Muhammad by God through
angel Gabriel Written piecemeal by scribes during or
shortly after Muhammad’s life Compiled as a whole about 20 years after
Muhammad’s death Comprised of 114 chapters (called surahs)
Other Sources: Hadith and Sunnah (stories, sayings, and traditions of Muhammad)
The Development of Islam
Early persecution by Meccans Year 619: wife and uncle both die Year 622: Hijrah - migration to Yathrib (Medina =
“City of the Prophet”) (year 1 AH) Success in Medina, defense against Meccan
attacks Year 630: Reclaiming of Mecca Year 632: first Muslim pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca,
led by Muhammad who died a few months later, having united the Arab tribes under the banner of Islam
Within 100 years, spread east toward India and west into north Africa and Spain
Who are Muslims?
More than one billion Muslims in the world today
Two major groups: Sunni: 80% in many locations throughout the
world Shi’ite: 15%, mostly in Iran
Difference is political, basic beliefs and practices are the same
Sufis are Muslim mystics, come from both Sunni and Shi’ite backgrounds
Most Muslims are not Arab and not all Arabs are Muslim
What do Muslims Believe?
One God (Allah) Spiritual beings:
Angels, Jinn and the Devil (“Iblis,” “Shaitan”) Prophets & Messengers:
Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, Muhammad… Holy Books:
Torah, Psalms, Gospels, Qur’an Decrements (destiny) – Inshallah (“if God
wills”) End Times (eschatology)
Resurrection, Judgment day, Heaven & Hell
How is Islam Practiced?The Five Pillars
Shahada – Witness: “There is no God but The God (Allah) and
Muhammad is the Prophet of God Salat – Prayer, five times every day Zakat – alms giving to the poor and
needy Sawm – fasting, sun-up to sun-down
during month of Ramadan Hajj – Pilgrimage to Mecca (at least
once in a Muslim’s life, if able)
What is the Ka’aba?
Located in the center of Mecca Pre-dates Islam (said to have been built
by Abraham and Ishmael as an altar to God)
Used by pre-Muslim Arabs for worship of their many tribal gods (idols)
Year 630: reclaimed by Muhammad, cleansed and rededicated to Allah
Center of Islam to this day – place of annual pilgrimage and direction of prayer for Muslims from all corners of the globe
The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem
Other Sacred Places
The Great Mosque in Mecca
The Prophet’s Mosque in
Medina
What is a Mosque?
A place for prayer, study, socializing No shoes in prayer hall Women cover head, separate from men Wudu room for ritual cleansing before
prayer Minaret for call to prayer (Adhaan) Prayer hall oriented toward Mecca
(qibla) Imam (prayer leader) stands in mirahb
(niche)
Islam as a Way of LifeShariah (Islamic Law) Based on Qur’an + Hadith and Sunnah Concerned with preserving human dignity
through five principles: preservation of life preservation of progeny (family) preservation of intellect (education) preservation of wealth (property) preservation of religion
not just for the individual but for the society