ISLAM

An Introduction to Islam

Osama bin Laden’s FatwaOsama bin Laden’s Fatwa

What is the role of Islam in this pieceHow does reading this piece explain the

thesis” America’s national security depends, at least in part, upon what we know or do not know about Islam.”

What does Islam mean?

In Arabic, Salaam = Peace

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

AbrahamAbraham Abraham: Patriarch of the

BIG THREE: J, C, I! Recognizes only one god:

monotheism God makes covenant with

Abraham– Promises great things to A’s

descendants, including Land of Canaan

Abraham’s two sonsAbraham’s two sons Sarah

– Originally “barren”

Hagar—Egyptian slave– Son=Ishmael

Miracle! – Sarah pregnant!– Son is Isaac

Which son? Who gets Canaan?– OT says it’s Isaac-claimed by Jews– Qur’an says it is Ishmael (claimed by Muslims)

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.

Qur’an القرآنThe Holy Book “The Recitation”

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.”

الرحيم الرحمن الله بسم

Islam maintains the integrity of original language (Arabic)

Muslims of all language backgrounds recite Islamic verses in Arabic

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 GodSource of All Books is GodMain Message of all Prophets: Islam

Muslims respect , love and honor Jesus

Jesus is considered a great messenger/ prophet

Jesus was born from the ‘virgin’ MaryJesus is a ‘word’ from GodJesus 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 Muslims believe 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)

What the Qur’an says about Jesus

Declaration of Faith Declaration of Faith (Shahadah)(Shahadah)

To say, believe and testify that…

“La ilaha illa Allah”

“There is no true deity, but Allah (God).”<Denial of other gods—affirmation of the one true God>

الله إال إله ال

Sects within IslamThere 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 IslamSunni & 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 IslamShi’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

•Subgroups/”schools” of Shi’a:•Ithna ‘Ashariyah, Isma'iliyah and Zaydiyah