Islam - Review

Islam is number what in the succession of the three great monotheistic religions born in the Middle East?

Islam is number what in the succession of the three great monotheistic religions born in the Middle East?

Third in succession.

The order is Judaism, Christianity then Islam.

Islam is the ___ religion in the world? How many followers?

Second, with 1.2 billion believers and growing, it’s the fastest growing faith in the world.

About 650,000 live in Canada.

What does Islam mean?

Arabic word for “submitting to God” & “Peace”

What does Muslim mean?

A person who follows the teachings of Islam and submits to God, finding peace in Him.

“All creation is muslim”.

What does Shahadah mean?

“There is no god but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God”

What does Allah mean?

Arabic name for God.

Preferred over any other names because it has no gender association and does not have plurality.

Arabic is the?

Language of Islam

Similar Roots:

Abraham & Haggar → Ishmael → Muhammad → Islam

Ishmael = ancestors of Muslims

vs

Abraham & Sarah → Isaac → Jesus → Judaism & Christianity

Isaac = ancestor of Jews

Who is the father of Islam?

Abraham, because he was the first to submit to the will of the one God.

Prophet and Founder: Muhammad

SEAL of the Prophets in a line of 28 prophets who preached the religion of Islam.

Born in 570 CE, in Makkah (Mecca), Saudi Arabia.

Raised by his uncle after his parents died.

Believed in monotheism from a young age.

In 610 CE, when meditating on Mt. Hera, he received a revelation from the angel Gabriel.

Each succeeding prophet added or improved upon the cumulative message of Islam.

Through Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) the message of Islam was completed and presented in tact in the Qu’ran.

Prophet and Founder: Muhammad continued

First of many revelations over 23 years

He began preaching around Makkah (one God, reject idolatry)

His teachings were initially rejected. In 622 CE he moved to Medinah (hijrah = migration)

This marks the beginning of the Muslim calender

He gained followers in Medinah and some in Makkah.

Muhammad made pilgrimages with followers to Makkah (Mecca - holiest city)

Died at the age of 63

Other prophets:

Most significant : Muhammad, Moses, Abraham, and Noah.

Jesus is highly respected and considered as a great prophet in the eyes of Muslim and Islam.

Qu’ran reaffirms the miraculous birth and abilities of Jesus.

Muslims believe in the Second Coming of Jesus before the end of time.

Why did Allah send prophets?

To teach people how to live according to God’s law.

Muslims believe?

Beliefs are personal

Not called to force others to believe in what they believe

Each person has a soul

After death the souls moves to an afterlife: either paradise or hell

What is Final Judgement?

World will end and we will stand before god to confront our own life and actions

All Muslims are equals without any distinction of class race or language

Jihad:

means to strive struggle and exert effort

refers to the personal struggle against evil thoughts within oneself struggle to improve quality of life in society, struggle in the battlefield for self defence or fighting against tyranny or oppression

“holy war” does not exist in Islam but it is the frequent repetition in the west that many people accept it as if it were a fact.

Islam & War:

like Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self defence or in defence of religion.

strict rules for combat: prohibitions against harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees and livestock

Islam is a rational religion and a religion of peace, mercy and community

Women in Islam:

According to the Qur’an, men and women are equal before God.

According to the Islamic law, women have the right to own property, receive education and take part in community life.

Under Islamic law, modest and dignified dress applies to women and men equally.

5 pillars of Islam

Shahadah:

Creed

• All Muslims must recite and believe: “There is no god but God and Muhmmad is the Messenger of God.”

5 pillars of Islam

Salat:

Prayer

• Muslims must pray 5 times a day; before dawn, mid-day, after sunset, and after dark. Each prayer session last 3-5 minutes.

• Muslims wash before prayer: The Mosque has a room for this called a WUDU.

• Muslims kneel with forehead to the ground and facing Mecca (Holy City).

• Prayer can be recited anywhere.

• On Fridays Muslims gather in the Mosque for community prayer and a sermon led by an Imam.

5 pillars of Islam

Zakat:

Almsgiving

• Muslims must give 2.5% of their annual income (if they can afford to)

• Symbolic sign of justice.

5 pillars of Islam

Sawm:

Fasting

• During month of Ramadan, muslims abstain from foods, evil thoughts, drinking, smoking and sex from sunrise to sunset.

• Purpose of Ramadan is to make everyone equal, as hunger is the same for everyone. Serves to strengthen then self-discipline and raise awareness about poverty.

• Teaches patience and discipline and to not give up when things are difficult.

Dietary Restrictions:

Halal = permitted

Haram = forbidden.

5 pillars of Islam

Sawm(cont):

Eid-al-Fitr

• Celebration of fast-breaking

• All 5 prayers are said at Mosque.

• Family and friends gather together and exchange presents, cards and share a meal.

5 pillars of Islam

Hajj:

Pilgrimage

• Muslims both male and female, who are healthy & financially stable are required to visit Mecca at least once in their lives to pray to the sacred Ka’bah in Saudi Arabia.

• Much preparation is necessary before embarking upon their pilgrimage.

Mosque:

Muslim place of worship

• come together in a mosque for prayer at mid-day on Friday (Muslim Holy day)

Mihrab:

small arch or hole in wall indicates the direction of the Ka’bah in Mecca

Minaret:

high tower or dome from which a muezzin calls the faithful to prayer

Wudu:

cleansing process before prayer (water)

Imam:

chief officer in the mosque who leads prayer

Symbols:

Are symbols allowed?

• the use of symbols to express one’s faith is not allowed

• Muhammad made it clear that people should not pray to pictures or sculptures

• because of this there are no human representations in places of worship

Star and crescent moon symbol:

• There are some symbols that represent Muslim nations such as the star and crescent moon

• It’s used in the national flags of Turkey and Pakistan, two Muslim nations.

The written Shahadah

• Some believe a better representation of Islam is found on the flag of Saudi Arabia.

• It has the Shahadah written in white against a solid green background.

• colour green is said by some to have been the prophets fav colour.

Festivals:

• The Ramadan fast

• Eid al-Fitr, end of Ramadan

• Eid al Adha - commemorates Abraham and his first son.

• Milan-ul-Nabi - birthday of Muhammad

• Mi’raj - his ascention

• Islamic new year

• The Shi’ah Observance of Muharram - death of Muhammad’s grandson

The Qur’an:

• Holy book of Islam , means ‘recitation’

• Records that reveal the word of God that came through angel Gabriel to Muhammed over 23 years.

• Muhammad dictated revelations to scribes and companions who memorized passages

• It is the only revealed book that has remained enter and unchanged since its revelation (oral tradition)

• Principle source of Muslim faith and practice

• Children learn to memorize the Quran as a child

• Divided into 114 suras (chapters): longest chapter has 286 verses, shortest has 3 verses; approx 78,000 words in length

Other scared text: Hadith

• Another important collection of teachings

• Sayings of Muhammad

• Used to guide decisions and actions

Other sacred text: The Sunnah

• Rules and regulations of Muslim life.

• Ways by which Islamic belief and practice are regulated.

Ka’bah:

• Cube shaped building that was built by Abraham to honour God.

• Viewed as Abraham’s original place of worship

• Became filled with idols as people in Arabia followed polytheism.

• Muhammad received revelations that led to Islam and monotheism and removal of idols.

• The site of hajj.

Groups of Muslims:

Sunni:

• Approximately  85% of the world’s Muslims

• The name derived from the word sunna, which means “well-trodden path”

• Sunni groups came into existence after the death of the Prophet. Over time, they have emerged as the most influential group in Islam.

• They believe in building consensus within the community in order to arrive at a just and equitable society

• Sunnis follow the traditions of the Prophet as well as the four schools of Sunni Law: Hanafi, Shafi’i, Hanbali, and Maliki

Groups of Muslims:

Shi’ah:

• Known as the “party of Ali”. Shi’ahs believe that prior to the death of Muhammad, the Prophet chose his close son in law, Ali, as his successor. Ali was not chosen as leader in favor of Abu Bakr creating a political division within the Muslim community. These later developed into doctrinal differences.

• Shi’ahs believe that, after the death of Muhammad, a series of infallible leaders called Imams were to take charge of Islam and guide the community

• The Shi’ahs are a small but noticeable group within Islam, dominating politics and religious life in Iran and representing the vocal minority in Iraq, East Africa, Pakistan, and India

Groups of Muslims:

Sufi:

• The Arabic word suf, which the word sufu is derived from, means “wool,” so it is likely that the Sufis were named after the ascetic clothing that they wore. Others say that sufi is derived from the word safa which means purity.

• Sufism developed into a mystical philosophy of Islam

• According to the Sufi tradition, the goal is to develop spiritually, both inwards and outwards, in order to discover the reality of God

• Sufis emphasize sincerity and excellence, performing prayers and meditations. To develop a constant and deep concentration, the Sufis employ physical methods such as playing sufi music, chanting the name of God, over and over again, or dancing, as in the case of the whirling dervishes.

Islamic Milestones:

Newborns - Muslim view:

• Muslims believe that a child is born free of sin – born pure and with a natural inclination towards goodness and virtue.

• As a creation of God, the child possesses an inherent understanding of the wisdom and power of God, as well as an understanding of the nature of his or her relationship with God.

Islamic Milestones:

What is the name of the Ceremony that is performed after a child is born?

• The ceremony that is performed after a child is born is called the Adhan, which is also the call to prayer that is recited from the minarets in Muslim countries.

• The baby is washed and then the father, or some elderly person, whispers the Call to Prayer (the Adhan) into his or her right ear.

Islamic Milestones:

What is whispered into the child’s ears?

• The father, or some elderly person, whispers the Call to Prayer (the Adhan) into his or her right ear.

• In the left ear, the person whispers the Command to Rise and Worship. This is called the Iqamah.

Islamic Milestone:

What is the Aqiqah? Describe the ceremony that takes place.

• The Aqiqah is the name-giving ceremony.

• Ceremony starts with father or elderly relative / pious person reading the Qur’an. The announcement of the name of the child follows the reading.

• Muslims can choose between a family name, one of Muhammad’s names or one of the 99 names of God.

• The hair of the child is cut or shaved for the Aqiqah ceremony and its weight in silver (or the equivalent in currency) is distributed to the poor.

• The sacrifice of either a goat or sheep is made and 1/3 of the meat is distributed to the poor.

• Male circumcision, called khitan, often takes place – other countries (i.e. Morocco) can take place when boy is 3-4 years old.

According to Muslims, what is the purpose of marriage?

▪ A Muslim marriage is a legally sanctioned union between a man and a woman, designed to bring happiness and companionship to both parties.

▪ Marriage contract affords both partners certain rights and obligations in the hope that their union will produce a family so as to please God (Allah).

▪ A Muslim marriage is based on a voluntary offer and acceptance by the bride and the groom.

▪ Muslim marriage involves a contract containing the various wishes of the bride and groom regarding the relationship itself and lifestyle issues relating to property and money.

▪ Two Muslims must witness the marriage, however, no officials must be present. Most Muslims opt to have an actual marriage ceremony, which includes the signing ceremony, in a mosque or in their home with an imam present.

Milestones:

How would a Muslim describe a strong family?

• Muslim would describe a strong family as courteous, polite and compassionate, whose members seek to know and live the will of God.

Milestones:

What is polygamy? Identify the Muslim understanding of and requirements for polygamy.

• Polygamy occurs when a person is married to more than one person at the same time.

• Within the Islamic tradition, polygamous marriages can provide women with the opportunity to marry in societies where there are more women than men.

• Also used as a means for widows to remarry – act of charity to spare her the hardship of having to fend for herself.

• Muslims believe that it is a sign of great tolerance and understanding for a woman to agree to share her husband with another woman.

• According to Islamic tradition, a Muslim man can marry up to four wives, HOWEVER, he must be able to provide for each equally (equal intimacy, equal love, equal material wealth, equal time, equal attention).

Islamic Milestone:

What does the Qur’an insist a Muslim couple must do before they are to obtain a divorce?

• While divorce is permitted within Islam, it is regarded as a last resort for a married couple.

• It is not in the interests of the Muslim community to force people to remain married if they cannot grow together and form productive families.

• Procedure exists whereby either the man or woman can obtain a divorce from the spouse – divorce can be unilateral (initiated by one person), bilateral (obtained by both persons) or obtained through a court of law.

• The Qur’an insists that the two must first refer their disputes and quarrels to arbitration before deciding to give up or to obtain a divorce.

Milestone:

How does a Muslim approach death?

• Muslims approach death with a sense of hope as opposed to fear. Their hope is that they will reach paradise and attain the beautiful vision of God.

Milestone:

Describe the practices of the Muslim community when someone dies. What does a Muslim believe happens when someone dies?

• Muslims believe that the burial should take place preferably on the day that the person has died.

• The body is taken to the gravesite where people who have attended the funeral procession, as well as bystanders, throw handfuls of earth into the grave while reciting chapters from the Qur’an.

• After the burial, a short period of mourning is observed, usually for three days.

• Muslims also believe that the deceased is visited by two angels who question the person about his or her life, faith, and deeds – both good and evil – while on earth.

Halal and Flavours

What is Halal?

Halal means permissible food under the Islamic guideline. When food becomes Halal it is up to Muslims to cook it and eat it according to the rules.

Halal and Flavours:

What is Kadhim Mohamad’s role? I

Imam, the leader

Halal and Flavours:

What does he say when asked for the main rules of Islam?

Believe in God, the messengers, Muhammad, pray and fast.

Halal and Flavours:

What foods are forbidden?

Pork and meat with blood.

Halal and Flavours:

What are some rules in making Halal meat?

Sheep - must be bought by a Muslim; the animal is read the Quran; they must face the mecca; they are taken well care of by the person who slaughters them; blood is drained from the meat; the knife is not sharpened in front of the other animals.

Halal and Flavours:

What is so different about a Halal slaughterhouse?

Love is given to the animals. They are not mistreated under the beliefs that they are creations of Allah, and should be treated with the respect. They get animals from as local as possible to ensure the animal is treated well and as healthy as possible. They do the subbiah ritual of killing the animal - picking, praying, and killing the animal. Then returned to the buyer.

Halal and Flavours:

What do they do before eating that’s similar to Christianity?

Pray before they eat.

Islam & Environment:

Summary of Assisi Declaration of Nature

1. The central concept of Islam is Tawhid or the Unity of God. His trustees are responsible for maintaining the unity of His creation (plants and animals). Unity cant be gained by setting one need against another or letting one end predominate over another. It is maintained by balance and harmony.

   2. So unity, trusteeship and accountability, that is Tawhid, Khalifah and Akhirah, the three central concepts of Islam, are also the pillars of the environmental ethics of Islam. They made the basic values taught by the Qur’an.

   3. For all these reasons Muslims see themselves as having a responsibility towards the world and the environment, all of which are the creations of Allah.

   4. Muslims do not have any specific festivals in which they give thanks for the harvest or the world. Instead they give thanks to Allah regularly for his creation.

   5. In order to separate Islam from other religions, the Islamic year is only 354 days, this means that the months and festivals happen at a different time each year and so there is no particular festival which falls during a period of harvest.