Islam

Islam is the second most popular religion in the world with over a thousand million followers. It is more often thought of as a complete way of life rather than a religion.

Islam began in Arabia and was revealed to humanity by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Those who follow Islam are called Muslims. Muslims believe that there is only one God, called Allah.

Place of Origin Saudi Arabia

Founder Muhammad – who was born in 570 A.D. at Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Sacred Text

The Qur’an. Muslims treat the Qur'an with great respect because they believe that the Qur'an is from Allah, and every word and every letter is sacred. It is usually placed on a special wooden stand to be read. Muslims regard the Qur'an as the unaltered word of God.

SacredBuilding

Mosques have a domed roof and a tall tower called a minaret. Muslims are called to prayer from the minaret. The man who enters the minaret and calls them to prayer is called a muezzin.

Major Festivals

Eid-ul-Adha - the second most important festival in the Muslim calendar. It is to remember the time when Abraham was going to sacrifice his own son to prove obedience to God and marks the end of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca).

Holy Places Jerusalem Mecca Medina

Ramadan- Muslims celebrate the time when the verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Ramadan is a time of worship, contemplation, and strengthening family and community ties.

Eid-ul-Fitr – The first day after Ramadan. It lasts three days and marks the breaking of the fast for Muslims at the end of Ramadan. It is a time for celebrating with good food and presents for children, and giving to charity.

SymbolsThe early Muslim community did not really have a symbol. During the time of the Prophet Muhammad, Islamic armies and caravans flew simple solid-colored flags (generally black, green, or white) for identification purposes.

In later generations, the Muslim leaders continued to use a simple black, white, or green flag with no markings, writing, or symbolism on it.

Legend holds that when the Turks conquered Constantinople, the founder of the Ottoman Empire, Osman, had a dream in which the crescent moon stretched from one end of the earth to the other. Taking this as a good omen, he chose to keep the crescent and make it the symbol of his dynasty.

It wasn't until the Ottoman Empire that the crescent moon and star became affiliated with the Muslim world.

Many Muslims reject using the crescent moon as a symbol of Islam. The faith of Islam has historically had no symbol, and many refuse to accept what is essentially an ancient pagan icon. It is certainly not in uniform use among Muslims.

Keep in mind…

The Islamic faith believes there is only one God, whose name in the Arabic language is Allah, and who is the sole and sovereign ruler of the universe.

Allah as the one and only God.

Angels exists.

Holy books hold the truth from God.

Muslims have 6 main beliefs

Predestination…Allah has already decided what will happen. However, this doesn't stop human beings making free choices.

There are Prophets (special messengers).e.g. Adam, Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Dawud (David), Isa (Jesus).Muhammad is the final prophet.

There will be a Day of Judgment...The day when the life of every human being will be assessed to decide whether they go to heaven or hell.