Islam Spirituality

Who founded Islam, where, and when?

Muhammad founded Islam in Arabia in the 7th century AD.

What does Islam mean?

submission or surrender to the will of God

Who is Allah in Islam?

Allah is the one true God.

What does Islam teach about God’s revelation?

God reveals His will, but not His person. Humans know what He commands, not His nature. 

What is the Quran?

The Quran means “reading” or “recitation”. It is the source of all Islamic teaching and God’s revealed word to Muhammad.

What are the Doctrines of the Quran?

God, Universe, Humanity, Satan, Eschatology, and Social Service

How does the Quran describe God?

God is sovereign, merciful, glorious, independent, and self-sufficient. Creation bears witness to His power. 

What is the Islamic view of the universe?

The universe has design, order, and defined limits. Each has inherent laws of behavior given by God. It is autonomous but dependent on God. 

What does Islam teach about humanity?

Humans were created from clay and given spirit. They are the noblest of all creation, endowed with reason and responsibility. 

Nature is subservient to humans, who are made to obey God’s will. 

What is pride?

Pride is rejecting one’s finite nature.

What is the Islamic view of Satan and sin?

Satan was once honored in heaven but fell through pride for refusing to honor Adam. His role is to mislead humanity. 

What is the purpose of repentance (tawbah)?

To remove sin and restore purity

What does Islam teach about the end times (Eschatology)?

The world will end, the dead will be raised, and judgment will occur. Each person is judged by deeds, and full retribution will complete God’s plan. 

What is the role of social service in Islam?

Humans must submit to God’s will through service to others.

Creation obeys God automatically; humans choose obedience. 

Prayer and worship are incomplete without serving the needy. 

Usury is forbidden.

What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, and Hajj

What is the purpose of the Five Pillars?

These are ways to build a relationship with God.

What is Shahadah?

The declaration of faith: “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is His Prophet.” 

It is the foundation of Islam, expressing full submission.

What is Salah, and how often is it performed?

Salah is prayer. Prayer is performed five times daily, facing Mecca. It maintains a spiritual connection with God and includes physical gestures like bowing and prostration. 

What is Zakah?

Zakah is charity.

An annual charity of 2.5% of savings is given to the poor. It promotes social welfare and equality. 

In Muslim countries, it is often collected as a tax. 

What is Sawm, and when is it practiced?

Sawm is fasting. 

Fasting occurs during Ramadan from dawn to sunset.

What is the purpose of Sawm?

Purpose: self-control, spiritual cleansing, empathy for the poor, and removal of bad habits. 

What is Hajj and its significance?

Hajj is a pilgrimage.

The pilgrimage to Mecca, required once in a lifetime for those able. It symbolizes the unity of humanity and submission to God.

What are the 6 major beliefs in Islam?

Oneness of god, Angels of God, Books of God, Prophets, Divine Decree, Day of Judgment

What is the first article of faith?

Belief in the absolute oneness of God (Tawhid)

What are angels in Islam?

Unseen beings who carry out God’s orders.

What are the Books of God in Islam?

the Tawrat (Torah) to Moses, the Zabur (Psalms) to David, and the Injil (Gospel) to Jesus

The Quran is the final and perfect revelation to Muhammad. 

Who are the prophets in Islam?

25 prophets are mentioned, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (the final prophet)

What is the belief in Divine Decree?

Everything is preordained by God’s will, but humans still have free will within limits, since they don’t know God’s full decree. 

What does Islam teach about the Day of Judgement?

God will resurrect all people and judge them according to their deeds.

The major branches in Islam:

Sunni and Shia

What does Sunni mean?

It means the people of the tradition and community

What do Sunnis believe?

They accepted Abu Bakr (Muhammad’s father-in-law) as the rightful successor, chosen by merit and consultation. 

They form 85-90% of Muslims. 

What are the four primary sources for Islamic law for Sunnis?

Quran- word of God

Hadith- Sayings of the Prophets

Ijma- Consensus of scholars

Qiyas- Analogical reasoning

Who do the Shia believe should have succeeded Muhammad?

Ali ibn Abi Talib, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, was divinely appointed to lead. Leadership must stay within the Prophet’s family. 

Make up 10-15% of Muslims. 

What is the Imam to Shai?

The Imam is their leader. There are 12 Imams beginning with Ali.

What happened because of the emergence of the two branches?

The first civil war (650-661 AD) arose from this dispute.

What is Sufism?

The mystical dimension of Islam emphasizes a direct and personal relationship with God through meditation, ascetic practices, and inner purification. It seeks union with the divine and insight into the nature of humanity and God. 

What is Eid al-Fitr, and when is it celebrated?

The Feast of Breaking the Fast marks the end of Ramadan.

Focuses on spiritual renewal, charity, and good deeds

What is Eid al-Adha, and what does it commemorate?

The Feast of Sacrifice, marking the end of Hajj (pilgrimage)

Commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. 

What is the overall spiritual goal of Islam?

To submit completely to God’s Will and live in peace, compassion, and service to others.