Basics of IslamBasics of Islam

1:1 In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 1:1 In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

1:2 Praise be to God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of 1:2 Praise be to God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the world; the world;

1:3 Most Gracious, Most Merciful; 1:3 Most Gracious, Most Merciful;

1:4 Master of the Day of Judgment. 1:4 Master of the Day of Judgment.

1:5 Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek. 1:5 Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.

1:6 Show us the straight way, 1:6 Show us the straight way,

1:7 The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy 1:7 The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray. not astray.

OutlineOutline ISLAM – An OverviewISLAM – An Overview

ESSENTIALS OF THE ISLAMIC FAITHESSENTIALS OF THE ISLAMIC FAITH

PILLARS OF ISLAMPILLARS OF ISLAM

UNDERSTANDING ISLAMUNDERSTANDING ISLAM

WOMEN IN ISLAMWOMEN IN ISLAM

What is Islam and What is Islam and Muslim?Muslim?

IslamIslam (silm) = "peace" and "submission.“ (silm) = "peace" and "submission.“

"Salaam alaykum,“= ("Peace be with "Salaam alaykum,“= ("Peace be with you"), the universal Muslim greeting.  you"), the universal Muslim greeting.  

Islam is submission or surrender of one's Islam is submission or surrender of one's will to the God, Allah, and anyone who will to the God, Allah, and anyone who does so is termed a "Muslim" .does so is termed a "Muslim" .

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background

Dates back to 7Dates back to 7thth century century

First Came in Arab PeninsulaFirst Came in Arab Peninsula

Holy Book – Qur’an was revealed to Holy Book – Qur’an was revealed to

Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) in 23 yearsProphet Muhammed (pbuh) in 23 years

Cont’Cont’ It was not a new religion.It was not a new religion.

The name of lslam was not decided upon by The name of lslam was not decided upon by later generations of man.later generations of man.

In the final book of divine revelation, the In the final book of divine revelation, the

Qur'an, the God states the following:  Qur'an, the God states the following:  "This day have I perfected your religion "This day have I perfected your religion

for you, completed My favor upon you, and for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion". have chosen for you Islam as your religion". (Qur’an 5:3)(Qur’an 5:3)

Jahiliyye (Time of Jahiliyye (Time of Ignorance)Ignorance)

Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, appeared at a time when people had blessings, appeared at a time when people had no knowledge of the true religion and therefore no knowledge of the true religion and therefore worshipped a great number of idols. As stated in worshipped a great number of idols. As stated in the Qur’an:the Qur’an:

They were serving, apart from God, what They were serving, apart from God, what hurts them not, neither profits them, and they hurts them not, neither profits them, and they say: These are our intercessors with God. say: These are our intercessors with God. (Qur’an 10:18)(Qur’an 10:18)

Cont’Cont’ They shaped idols of stones, earth, bread, even They shaped idols of stones, earth, bread, even

cheese, and then said: ‘These are our cheese, and then said: ‘These are our intercessors with God.’ They were so degraded in intercessors with God.’ They were so degraded in thoughts and morals that, they would sit at meal-thoughts and morals that, they would sit at meal-time, cut their idols into pieces and eat them. time, cut their idols into pieces and eat them. The only excuse offered was that they were The only excuse offered was that they were following in the steps of their forefathers.following in the steps of their forefathers.

When it is said to them, ‘Follow what God When it is said to them, ‘Follow what God has sent down’, they say, ‘No; but we follow that has sent down’, they say, ‘No; but we follow that wherein we found our fathers.’ (al-Baqara, 2.170)wherein we found our fathers.’ (al-Baqara, 2.170)

Cont’Cont’ They buried their daughters alive. In the words They buried their daughters alive. In the words

of the holy Qur’an:of the holy Qur’an:

When any of them is given the good tidings of When any of them is given the good tidings of a girl, his face is darkened and he chokes a girl, his face is darkened and he chokes inwardly, as he hides himself from the people inwardly, as he hides himself from the people because of the evil of the good tidings that have because of the evil of the good tidings that have been given to him, whether he shall preserve her been given to him, whether he shall preserve her in humiliation, or trample her into the dust. (16, in humiliation, or trample her into the dust. (16, 58-59)58-59)

Cont’Cont’ One day, after Muhammad(pbuh)’s declaration of his One day, after Muhammad(pbuh)’s declaration of his

Prophethood, one of his Companions came to him Prophethood, one of his Companions came to him and said:and said:

O Messenger of God, I had a daughter. One O Messenger of God, I had a daughter. One day I told her mother to dress her as I was taking day I told her mother to dress her as I was taking her to her uncle - the poor mother knew what this her to her uncle - the poor mother knew what this meant, but she could do nothing but obey and weep. meant, but she could do nothing but obey and weep. My wife dressed the infant, who was rejoicing at the My wife dressed the infant, who was rejoicing at the news of going to the uncle. I took her near a well, news of going to the uncle. I took her near a well, and told her to look down into the well. While she and told her to look down into the well. While she was looking into the well, I kicked her into it. While was looking into the well, I kicked her into it. While she was rolling down, she was shouting ‘Dad, Dad!’she was rolling down, she was shouting ‘Dad, Dad!’

As he was recounting this, the Prophet, upon As he was recounting this, the Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, sobbed as if he had lost him be peace and blessings, sobbed as if he had lost one of his nearest kinsfolk.one of his nearest kinsfolk.

Then Prophet Muhammed Then Prophet Muhammed came…came…

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the last messenger of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the last messenger of the God. the God.

He was born to a noble family of Makkah in Saudi He was born to a noble family of Makkah in Saudi Arabia in 571 CE.Arabia in 571 CE.

First verses of the Qur'an revealed when he was 40:First verses of the Qur'an revealed when he was 40: "Read: In the name of your Lord, Who created "Read: In the name of your Lord, Who created

(this universe). Who created man from a clot (of (this universe). Who created man from a clot (of blood). Read: Your Lord is Most Noble. Who taught blood). Read: Your Lord is Most Noble. Who taught (man) by the pen. Taught man, what he did not (man) by the pen. Taught man, what he did not know." know." (96:1-5(96:1-5))

He received further revelations from the God.He received further revelations from the God.

From OthersFrom Others “ “ It is impossible for anyone who studies the life It is impossible for anyone who studies the life

and character of the great Prophet of Arabia, who and character of the great Prophet of Arabia, who knows how he taught and how he lived, to feel knows how he taught and how he lived, to feel anything but reverence for that mighty Prophet, anything but reverence for that mighty Prophet, one of the great messengers of the Supreme. one of the great messengers of the Supreme. (Annie Besant, The Life and The Teachings of (Annie Besant, The Life and The Teachings of Muhammad, Madras 1932)Muhammad, Madras 1932)

At Muhammad’s own death an attempt was made to At Muhammad’s own death an attempt was made to deify him, but the man who was to become his deify him, but the man who was to become his administrative successor killed the hysteria with administrative successor killed the hysteria with one of the noblest speeches in religious history: ‘ If one of the noblest speeches in religious history: ‘ If there are any among you who worshipped there are any among you who worshipped Muhammad, he is dead. But if it is God you Muhammad, he is dead. But if it is God you worshipped, He lives forever.” (James A. Michener, worshipped, He lives forever.” (James A. Michener, ‘Islam The Misunderstood Religion’, 1955)‘Islam The Misunderstood Religion’, 1955)

Principles of FaithPrinciples of Faith

1.1. AllahAllah

2.2. His AngelsHis Angels

3.3. His BooksHis Books

4.4. His ProphetsHis Prophets

5.5. The HereafterThe Hereafter

6.6. The Divine Decree and DestinyThe Divine Decree and Destiny

Faith in AllahFaith in Allah ““La ilaha illallah”La ilaha illallah” – Word of Tavhid – Word of Tavhid

There is no deity but AllahThere is no deity but Allah Allah is the only creator of everything. Allah is the only creator of everything. He is similar to nothing and nothing is He is similar to nothing and nothing is

comparable to Him.comparable to Him. We praise Allah with his names:We praise Allah with his names:

e.g., er-Rahim(The Merciful), el-Qadir(The Able), el-e.g., er-Rahim(The Merciful), el-Qadir(The Able), el-Hakim(The Wise), er-Rahman(The Compassionate)Hakim(The Wise), er-Rahman(The Compassionate)

““The highest aim of creation and its most The highest aim of creation and its most important result is belief in God. The most important result is belief in God. The most radiant happiness and sweetest bounty for radiant happiness and sweetest bounty for human beings is the love of God” – Said Nursi human beings is the love of God” – Said Nursi

From The Noble Qur’anFrom The Noble Qur’an "...He knows what enters within the earth "...He knows what enters within the earth

and what comes forth out of it, what comes and what comes forth out of it, what comes down from heaven and what mounts up to it.  down from heaven and what mounts up to it.  And He is with you wheresoever you may And He is with you wheresoever you may be.  And Allah sees well all that you do"be.  And Allah sees well all that you do" (Qur'an 57:4).  (Qur'an 57:4). 

"That is Allah, your Lord!  There is no god "That is Allah, your Lord!  There is no god but He, the Creator of all things; then but He, the Creator of all things; then worship Him, and He has power to dispose of worship Him, and He has power to dispose of all affairs.  No vision can grasp Him, but His all affairs.  No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision; He is the Sublime, grasp is over all vision; He is the Sublime, Well-Aware"Well-Aware" (Qur'an 6:102-103) (Qur'an 6:102-103)

Faith in His AngelsFaith in His Angels

God Employs Angels God Employs Angels

Angels have no freewill, they do not Angels have no freewill, they do not eat and drink eat and drink

Four Archangels: Four Archangels: Gabriel, Mikhael, Gabriel, Mikhael, Israfel, Isra’il (Death Angel)Israfel, Isra’il (Death Angel)

Faith in His BooksFaith in His Books

God revealed to prophetsGod revealed to prophets Four major books:Four major books:

Torah (Moses)Torah (Moses) Zaboor (David)Zaboor (David) Gospel (Jesus)Gospel (Jesus) Qur’an (Muhammed)Qur’an (Muhammed)

Qur’an Qur’an revealed in 23 yearsrevealed in 23 years 114 chapters, 6666 verses114 chapters, 6666 verses

Faith in His ProphetsFaith in His Prophets

A Muslim should believe all prophetsA Muslim should believe all prophets Adam (pbuh) – the first prophetAdam (pbuh) – the first prophet

Muhammed (pbuh) – the last prophetMuhammed (pbuh) – the last prophet Revealed prophets:Revealed prophets:

Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Solomon, David, John the Baptist, Solomon, David, John the Baptist, Jesus, Zachariah, Elias, Muhammed Jesus, Zachariah, Elias, Muhammed (pbut)(pbut)

Faith in the HereafterFaith in the Hereafter

Accountability of how you lived your Accountability of how you lived your life – Judgement Daylife – Judgement Day

Paradise and Hell Paradise and Hell

Faith in the Divine Decree Faith in the Divine Decree and Destinyand Destiny

Destiny - predetermine Decree - implement Destiny - predetermine Decree - implement

Destiny - Destiny - everything that exists is known by everything that exists is known by the God.the God.

Decree - Decree - carrying out Destiny's decisions or carrying out Destiny's decisions or judgments.judgments.

We will and the God creates.We will and the God creates.

The God creates our actions as a result of The God creates our actions as a result of our decisions our decisions

Pillars of IslamPillars of Islam There are 5 Pillars of Islam. There are 5 Pillars of Islam.

1.1. Declaration of Faith (Shahada)Declaration of Faith (Shahada)

2.2. Prayer (Salah)Prayer (Salah)

3.3. Purification of Wealth (Zakah)Purification of Wealth (Zakah)

4.4. Fasting (Sawm)Fasting (Sawm)

5.5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Declaration of FaithDeclaration of Faith The first pillar of Islam is that a Muslim believe The first pillar of Islam is that a Muslim believe

and declare his faith by saying the Shahada (lit. and declare his faith by saying the Shahada (lit. 'witness'), also known as the Kalimah: 'witness'), also known as the Kalimah:

La ilaha ila Allah; Muhammadur-rasul Allah. La ilaha ila Allah; Muhammadur-rasul Allah.

““I bear witness that there is no deity but I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammed is his Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammed is his Messenger.”Messenger.”

Every Muslim should say this from heart.Every Muslim should say this from heart.

Cont’Cont’

By sincerely uttering the Shahada the By sincerely uttering the Shahada the Muslim acknowledges Allah as the sole Muslim acknowledges Allah as the sole Creator of all, and the Supreme Authority Creator of all, and the Supreme Authority over everything and everyone in the over everything and everyone in the universe. universe.

Belief in the prophethood of Muhammad Belief in the prophethood of Muhammad entails belief in the guidance brought by entails belief in the guidance brought by him and contained in his Sunnah him and contained in his Sunnah (traditions of his sayings and actions).(traditions of his sayings and actions).

Prayer (Salah)Prayer (Salah) The Prayer (Salah), in the sense of worship, is the The Prayer (Salah), in the sense of worship, is the

second pillar of Islam. second pillar of Islam. Performed 5 times a day:Performed 5 times a day:

pre-dawnpre-dawn noonnoon mid-afternoonmid-afternoon after sunsetafter sunset NightNight

Prayer consists of verses from the Qur'an and other Prayer consists of verses from the Qur'an and other prayers, accompanied by various bodily postures - prayers, accompanied by various bodily postures - standing, bowing, prostrating and sitting. standing, bowing, prostrating and sitting.

Ritual cleanliness and ablution are required before Ritual cleanliness and ablution are required before prayer, as are clean clothes and location, and the prayer, as are clean clothes and location, and the removal of shoes. removal of shoes.

Cont’Cont’ One may pray individually or communally, at home, One may pray individually or communally, at home,

outside, virtually any clean place, as well as in a outside, virtually any clean place, as well as in a mosque, though the latter is preferred. mosque, though the latter is preferred.

A continuous link to the God five times a day.A continuous link to the God five times a day.

Helps to avoid misdeeds if performed sincerely. Helps to avoid misdeeds if performed sincerely.

It promotes discipline, God-consciousness and It promotes discipline, God-consciousness and placing one's trust in the God alone, and the placing one's trust in the God alone, and the importance of striving for the Hereafter. importance of striving for the Hereafter.

When performed in congregation it also provides a When performed in congregation it also provides a strong sense of community, equality and strong sense of community, equality and brotherhood/sisterhood.brotherhood/sisterhood.

The ZakahThe Zakah The third pillar of Islam is the zakah (alms-tax).The third pillar of Islam is the zakah (alms-tax). Eligible Muslims pay alms on an annual basis that Eligible Muslims pay alms on an annual basis that

helps to “purify” their wealth.helps to “purify” their wealth. It is also an act of purification through sharing It is also an act of purification through sharing

what one has with others.what one has with others. Funds collected are distributed to the poor, Funds collected are distributed to the poor,

orphans, and needy in society.orphans, and needy in society. Zakah consists of giving 2.5% of one’s accumulated Zakah consists of giving 2.5% of one’s accumulated

wealthwealth A generous person can pay more than this amount, A generous person can pay more than this amount,

though it is treated and rewarded as voluntary though it is treated and rewarded as voluntary charity (Sadaqah). charity (Sadaqah).

FastingFasting The fourth pillar of Islam is fasting.The fourth pillar of Islam is fasting. Allah prescribes daily fasting for all Allah prescribes daily fasting for all ableable, ,

adult Muslims during the whole month of adult Muslims during the whole month of Ramadan.Ramadan.

On the physical side, fasting is from first light On the physical side, fasting is from first light of dawn until sunset, abstaining from food, of dawn until sunset, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations.drink, and sexual relations.

On the moral side, one must abstain from On the moral side, one must abstain from

lying, malicious gossip, quarreling and trivial lying, malicious gossip, quarreling and trivial nonsense. nonsense.

Cont’Cont’

Fasting helps Muslims:Fasting helps Muslims: strengthen will-powerstrengthen will-power feel compassionfeel compassion purify bodypurify body strengthen their community relationsstrengthen their community relations thankfulnessthankfulness

Fasting can be done any other time of Fasting can be done any other time of the yearthe year

PilgrimagePilgrimage The fifth pillar of Islam is to make a pilgrimage The fifth pillar of Islam is to make a pilgrimage

to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, at least once in one's to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, at least once in one's

lifetime.lifetime.

Cont’Cont’ once in a lifetime if physically and once in a lifetime if physically and

financially ablefinancially able commemorates the trials of Abraham commemorates the trials of Abraham

and his familyand his family the thoughts are concentrated on the thoughts are concentrated on

worshipping God with intense worshipping God with intense devotiondevotion

Cont’Cont’

pilgrims wear special clothes (Ihram) pilgrims wear special clothes (Ihram) - two, very simple, unsown white - two, very simple, unsown white garments - which strips away all garments - which strips away all distinctions of wealth, status, class distinctions of wealth, status, class and culture; all stand together and and culture; all stand together and equal before the Godequal before the God

about 2-3 million people gather about 2-3 million people gather regardless of color, race, region or regardless of color, race, region or culture, as one international familyculture, as one international family

UNDERSTANDING UNDERSTANDING ISLAMISLAM

Islam is a religion of peace, love, Islam is a religion of peace, love, compassion, and tolerance.compassion, and tolerance.

“ “Serve Allah, and join not any partners Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by who are strangers, the companion by your side, the way farer (you meet), your side, the way farer (you meet), and what your right hands possess: For and what your right hands possess: For Allah loves not the arrogant, the Allah loves not the arrogant, the vainglorious.vainglorious.” (Verse 4:36)” (Verse 4:36)

WOMEN IN ISLAMWOMEN IN ISLAM Man and woman are equal servants of God. Man and woman are equal servants of God. ““If any do deeds of righteousness be they If any do deeds of righteousness be they

male or female and have faith, they will enter male or female and have faith, they will enter paradise and not the least injustice will be paradise and not the least injustice will be done to them” done to them”

(Quran, 4:124).(Quran, 4:124). Man and woman are created to complement Man and woman are created to complement

each other. each other. ““And among His signs is this, that He created And among His signs is this, that He created

for you mates among yourselves, that you may for you mates among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them and he has put dwell in tranquility with them and he has put love and mercy between you” (Quran, 30:21). love and mercy between you” (Quran, 30:21).

1400 years ago…1400 years ago… Some of the women’s rights protected by Islam: Some of the women’s rights protected by Islam:

The right and duty to obtain educationThe right and duty to obtain education The right to own independent propertyThe right to own independent property The right to work and earn money, if they need it The right to work and earn money, if they need it

or want itor want it Equality of reward for equal deedsEquality of reward for equal deeds The right to express their opinions and be heardThe right to express their opinions and be heard The right to provisions from the husband for all The right to provisions from the husband for all

her needs her needs The right to negotiate marriage termsThe right to negotiate marriage terms The right to obtain a divorceThe right to obtain a divorce The right to keep all her own money (she is not The right to keep all her own money (she is not

responsible to maintain any relations) responsible to maintain any relations) The right to refuse any marriage proposalThe right to refuse any marriage proposal The right to voteThe right to vote