Islam 101- An Introduction to Islam/Beyond the Middle East

This session will discuss the basic tenets of Islam the religion and its origin. We will also introduce who the diverse cultural groups are from around the world that practice Islam.

Some Basic Facts:

“Islam” is an Arabic word. It means peace or submission – peace with God, or submission.“Salaam alaykum” The same Arabic root word meaning “peace be with you” is the universal Muslim greeting.“Muslim” is also Arabic in origin; meaning one who believes in and consciously follows Islam.

ALLAH

Islam begins with God (Allah). The word “Allah” is formed by joining the definite Arabic article “al” which means “the” with the Arabic “llah”, which means God.“La ilaha illa Allah” means “There is no god but Allah (God)”

Muhammad, The Messenger of God

Born in MeccaChristian calendar year 570 A.D.Name means “highly praised”Considered the final prophet

The Night of Power610 A.D. when Allah spoke to MuhammadIn a cave on Mount Hira ( on the outskirts of Mecca)

Hijra – The Flight to Medina

622 A.D. (Christian Calendar)Muhammad fled Mecca to YathribA new era and beginning of the Muslim CalendarMedinat al-nabi “The City of the Prophet” Medina= “The City”10 A.H. (after the Hijra)

THE QUR’AN

“al-quran” in Arabic means a recitationThe word of God revealed to Muhammad over a time frame of 23 years through the voice of the angel Gabriel114 surahs (or chapters)Slightly shorter in length than the Christian New Testament

How Many Are Muslims?

1 billion followers (1/5 of the world population)Less than 10 percent of Muslims are Arab

Majority Muslims are found throughout the Middle East, North Africa, East Asia and the Pacific Islands ex. Indonesia, Malaysia, southern PhilippinesLarge numbers include Western Europe, the former Soviet Union, and North America.

The Five Pillars of Faith

1. Shahada (affirmation)2. Salat (prayer)3. Zakat (almsgiving)4. Siyam (fasting)5. Hajj (pilgrimage)

The Fast of Ramadhan

The ninth month of the Muslim CalendarWhen Muslims fast during the entire month to concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of everyday lifeA time of worship and contemplation

Ramadhan restrictions/expectations

No eating or drinking during the daylight hours (from dawn to sunset)Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden

The good from fasting is nullified by

The telling of a lie Slander Denouncing

someone behind his back

A false oath Greed or

covetousness

Recommended books:What Every Christian Should Know About Islam by Ruqaiyya WarisMore In Common Than You Think – The Bridge Between Islam and Christianity by Bill BakerThe Autobiography of Malcolm X- as told to Alex HaleyMuslim on the Americanization Path by Yvonne Haddad and John EspositoFor God and Country: Faith and Patriotism Under Fire by Chaplain James Yee

Recommended On Line Resources

www.MuslimBridges.orghttp://www.al-islam.com/eng/http://www.islamselect.com/english/index.phphttp://www.islaam.ca/http://islam.about.com/