Islam

What does the word “Islam” mean

• Islam means “one who submits to God” 

Ka’bah 

•  The Ka’bah is a cube shaped building that Abraham built to honour God. 

Imam 

• Muslim prayer leader. 

Mosque

• Muslim place of worship. 

Hijab

• A headscarf worn by women as a sign of modesty. 

Five Pillars

• Shahada (Faith): The declaration of faith, affirming that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.

• Salah (Prayer): Performing the five daily prayers facing the Kaaba in Mecca.

• Zakat (Charity): Giving to the poor and needy; a mandatory act of almsgiving which is usually calculated as a percentage of one's wealth.

• Sawm (Fasting): Observing fast during the month of Ramadan, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs during daylight hours.

• Hajj (Pilgrimage): Making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime, if financially and physically able.

Allah

• The name for the God that Muslims believe in. 

Jihad

•  Literally means “striving”; striving to obey the commands of God; often translated by non-Muslims as “holy war.”

Significance of Mecca (Makkah), Medina (Yathrib), and Jerusalem

• Mecca (Makkah) is the holiest city in Islam, it houses the Ka’bah and is the birthplace of the prophet Muhammad. 

• Medina (Yathrib) is the second holiest city in Islam, it is where the Prophet Muhammad is buried and where he established the Muslim Community. 

• Jerusalem is where it is believed that Islam began. 

Prophets 

• Noah

  • Warned people of their sins and the flood, rebuilt civilization after the flood, and shared new laws that governed God’s creations. 

• Abraham 

  • Abraham is one of seven prophets who received Scriptures from God.

  • He is frequently mentioned in the Qur’an.

  • Taught people to abandon idolatry.

  • Proved to be the source of two great prophetic families:

    • Arab lineage through his son Ismael and Ismael’s mother, Hagar.

  • Gave people a sense of their moral and religious obligations.

Moses

• Moses was sent to proclaim the one God to the idolaters of Egypt.

• Mentioned over 200 times in the Qur’an.

• Highly regarded in Islam.

• Used miracles to demonstrate God’s power over the Egyptians.

• Received God’s law in the form of the Ten Commandments.

Jesus

• Jesus was born miraculously by the Virgin Mary.

• Performed many miracles during his life.

• The Qur’an specifically denies that Jesus was the divinely appointed son of God.

• The Qur’an does not support the belief that Jesus died on the cross.

• Holds the position that Jesus never died, ascended into heaven, and will return to aid humanity in the future.

Muhammad 

• Muhammad is "The Seal of the Prophets," the last to convey the divine wisdom of God to humanity.

• He is afforded the highest spiritual prominence as he directly received the divine word of God.

• Instantly conveyed these Quranic revelations to all people.

• For Muslims, Muhammad is the last prophet, completing the teachings of all preceding prophets.

Life of the Prophet Mohammed 

• All preceding prophets are regarded as "Muslims" because they taught:

• Central figure of Islam: Prophet Muhammad

• Received direct revelations from God through Angel Gabriel

• Led Arabia from idolatry to belief in the oneness of God

• Muslims show reverence by saying 'peace be upon him' or 'pbuh' after mentioning his name

• Born in 570 CE in Makkah, a city focused on trade and polytheistic customs

• Born into the respected tribe of Quraysh

• Orphaned early: Father died before birth, mother died at age six

• Cared for by grandfather Abd al-Mutallib and later by uncle Abu Talib

• Established a reputation as an honest businessman in his youth

• Took on business responsibilities with his uncle, navigating trade caravans

• Experienced significant spiritual moments; showed preference for monotheism

• Viewed idolatry as a hindrance to humanity’s spiritual growth

• Sought isolation for reflection and meditation in the hills around Makkah

• Gained respect of wealthy widow Khadijah at age twenty

• Managed her business, gaining her trust and admiration

• Married Khadijah despite her being fifteen years older

• Had a happy marriage lasting twenty-five years, contributing to their community by aiding the sick and impoverished.

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  • a) belief in One God, and the importance of living a virtuous and moral life.

• These two fundamentals constitute "Islam" in the broadest sense, i.e., submission to the Will of God.

Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid-al-Adha

• Ramadan

  • A month of fasting occurs on the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. 

  • The fast is said to bring Muslim people closer to God, and give spiritual piety, patience, and perseverance. 

• Eid al-Fitr 

  • Is celebrated during the first day of the 10th month (1 day right after Ramadan) 

  • Marks a period of spiritual renewal for Muslims. 

  • It is celebrated through family gatherings, gift giving, and donating to the poor. 

• Eid al-Adha

  • A festival which is held on the 10th day of the 12th month. 

  • Marks the occasion where Abraham submitted himself to God. 

Qur’an, hadith, and Sharia Law

• Qur’an

  • The holy book of Islam, is seen as God’s words (not Muhammads even though he conveyed it).

• Hadith

  • A collection of traditions and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad.

  • It is a second source of law for Muslims. 

• Sharia law 

  • A set of religious laws that govern the lives of Muslims. 

  • It is based of the Qur’an, the Hadith, and the Sunnah. 

Sunni, Shi’ah (Shia), and Sufi

• Sunni

  • 85% of the world's Muslims are Sunni

  • The name "Sunni" comes from "sunna," meaning "well-trodden path."

  • Sunni groups formed after the Prophet's death and became the most influential in Islam.

  • They focus on building consensus in the community for a fair society.

  • Sunnis follow the Prophet's traditions and the four schools of Sunni law: Hanafi, Shafi’i, Hanbali, and Maliki. 

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• Shi,ah

  • Shi'ahs, known as the "party of Ali," believe Muhammad chose his son-in-law, Ali, to lead after him. Instead, Abu Bakr was chosen, causing a split in the Muslim community that grew into different beliefs.

  • After Muhammad died, Shi'ahs think that a series of leaders called Imams were meant to guide Islam.

  • They are a smaller but important group within Islam, especially significant in Iran, and also have a notable presence in Iraq, East Africa, Pakistan, and India.

• Sufi 

  • The word "sufi" comes from the Arabic word "suf," meaning "wool," likely referring to the rough clothing worn by Sufis. Some believe it comes from "safa," meaning "purity."

  • Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam.

  • The goal of Sufism is to grow spiritually to understand God better.

  • Sufis focus on being sincere and excellent in their prayers and meditation, using methods like Sufi music, chanting God's name repeatedly, or dancing (like the whirling dervishes) to help with concentration.