Post on 23-Dec-2015
The Religion of Islam
Chapter 1.3
Background
• Democratic and vital religion
• 1/7th of the world’s population–All races, nationalities, and colors
–Common way of life
• Worship of Allah- One God
Muslim Belief
• Changed very little since the days of the Prophet• Visualize a temple, resting upon five pillars
Faith
Prayer
sharing
Fasting
Pilgrimage
Faith
• Declare before another Muslim– “There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his
prophet”
• Belief in Three Things– Quran
• Things revealed by God• Laws, stories, how to conduct family life, deal with others.
– Angel’s as instruments of God’s Will– Belief in a final day of judgment
• Appeal is in simplicity– No ceremonies, sacraments, priesthood or practices
Prayer
• Meuzzin– Man who calls Muslims to prayer.
• Declares “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is His prophet”
– Five Times a day• Morning, noon, afternoon, sunset and evening• Kneel facing Mecca• Mithrab- corner in mosque used for prayer
– No organized prayer» Sunday sermon follows noon-day prayer
– Most men go once a day to the mosque to pray
Almsgiving-Sharing
• No organized charity when Muhammad lived– He was an orphan– Dependant on the charity of individuals
• Those who can share give a generous share of what they can to Muslims who are poor or sick
Fasting
• Occurs during special Month• Ramadan
– Fast from Sunrise to Sunset• No food, drink or smoking
– Encourage self-discipline– At Evening
• Children join parents for in breaking the fast
– With sweets (dates, cool drink)
– All sit to an “evening breakfast”
Pilgrimage
• Hajj– Pilgrimage, sacred journey to Mecca– Once in their life– Great festival in the twelfth month– Stop at the Kaba
Islam and Others
• Quran– Filled with similar people and stories of Jewish
and Christians• Noah, Abraham, and Moses• Muhammad saw himself as a prophet
– Jewish and Christians- “people of the book”• One single God• Respected Muslim rule allowed to practice their
religions and have business– Paid special tax - Jizyah
Men and Women
• Muhammad said Muslims equal in spirit– Both rich and poor, men or women– Women in early Islam
• Right to education, marry who they want
– In the community• Men involved outside of home
– Inherit more property– Must treat wife well
– As early Islam took over new lands• Adopted their views on roles and adopted them into their
religion
Schism
• 656- Uthman ruler assassinated• Divide on who can rule
– Next few hundred years• Smaller group= Shiites
– Ruler should be descendant of Muhammad» Inspired by God just has Muhammad» Able to speak on teaching in Quran
• Larger group= Sunni– Any truly religious Muslim could lead– No one could share teachings of Quran
» Done by group of elders/scholars