Basics of Islam

Basics of Islam

• Monotheistic Religion: Islam is centered around the belief in one God.
• Core Belief: "La ilahe illallah" means "There is no god but God" (Tawhid - the concept of unity).
• Abrahamic Faith: Shares similarities with Judaism and Christianity.
• Origin: Emerged in Hejaz/Mecca (modern-day Southern Saudi Arabia).
• Language: Primarily Arabic.

Links to Judaism and Christianity

• Culmination of Faiths: Islam considers itself a continuation and correction of Judaism and Christianity.
• Scriptural References:
• Quran 2:87: Acknowledges Jesus as a prophet and states He was strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
• Quran 2:136: Expresses belief in all prophets, emphasizing no distinction between them.
• Quran 3:45: Declares Jesus, son of Mary, as honored in this world and the Hereafter.
• Quran 3:84: Recognition of previous prophets, including Moses and Jesus.
• Non-Recognition of Divinity of Jesus:
• Quran 5:17: Declares those that equate God with Christ commit blasphemy, steadfast in the principle of Tawhid.

Historical Timeline of Islam

• 610 CE: Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation.
• 632 CE: Death of Muhammad.
• Rightly-Guided Caliphs: His immediate successors included Abu Bakr, Umar, Othman, and Ali, who led from 632 to 661.
• Civil War: Emergence of sectarian differences, notably between Sunni and Shia following Ali's followers.

Key Historical Events and Sources of Islamic History

• 634-750 CE: A series of early Islamic sources documenting Muhammad and Islamic conquests.
• Civil War and Sectarianism:
• First Fitna (656-661): Civil war leading to significant divisions among the followers of Islam.
• Important Literature:
• Ibn Ishaq (761 CE): Authored the first biography of Muhammad, although the original text does not exist.
• Muhammad al-Bukhari (d. 870 CE): Initiated the collection of Hadith.

The Life of Muhammad

• Life and Teachings: Various expeditions and confrontations are documented, reflecting both military and spiritual aspects.
• Historical Context: Muhammad’s rise occurred in a time of tribalism, with significant socio-political implications.

Expansion of Islam Post-Muhammad

• Territorial Gains: Growth of Islamic influence under the Rightly-Guided Caliphs and later during Umayyad and Abbasid periods.
• Umayyad Period (661-750 CE): Territorial expansion across the Middle East, North Africa, and into Spain.
• Abbasid Period (750-1215 CE): Cultural, scientific, and economic advancements.

Core Doctrines and Practices of Islam

Five Practical Principles (Pillars of Islam)

1. Five-times Daily Worship: Salat, performed five times each day.
2. Fasting: Observance of Ramadan, abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset.
3. Belief in Tawhid: The oneness of God.
4. Almsgiving (Zakat): Charitable giving, typically calculated as a percentage of wealth.
5. Pilgrimage (Hajj): Journey to the holy city of Mecca, required once in a lifetime if physically and financially able.

Faith Principles

• Tawhid/Unity: Essential belief in the oneness of God.
• Belief in Destiny: The acceptance of divine preordainment.
• Belief in Angels: Acknowledgment that angels are created beings who serve God.
• Belief in Resurrection: Understanding of life after death and the Day of Judgment.
• Belief in Scriptures: Acknowledgment of the Qur'an and other revelations to previous prophets.
• Belief in Prophets: Recognition of the prophets sent by God, culminating in Muhammad as the final prophet.

Key Islamic Texts

• Qur'an: Comprised of 114 chapters (Surahs), regarded as the verbatim word of God by Muslims, compiled shortly after Muhammad's death (632-650 CE).
• Shari‘a: The Islamic law derived from the Qur'an and Hadith.
• Sunna: The established practices of Muhammad.
• Hadith: Traditions and sayings attributed to Muhammad, serving as a guiding source for Islamic law and practice.

Sunni-Shi'a Divide

• Sunni Muslims: Represent the majority, emphasizing a community-led interpretation of Islam.
• Shi'a Muslims: Focus on a clergy-led spiritual authority, centralizing leadership through the family of Muhammad, particularly Ali.

Classification of Islam

• Traditional: Views regarded as orthodox.
• Moderate & Reformist: Interpretation that seeks to adapt traditional practices to modern contexts.