UNIT 3 – HRT3MUNIT 3 – HRT3M

Introduction Introduction to Islamto Islam

ISLAM Islam is an Arabic word meaning

“SUBMITTING TO GOD” A person who follows the teaching of Islam

is called a MUSLIM – “one who submits to God and finds peace in Him”

Islamic belief is captured in their CREED, called the SHAHADAH (like the “Sh’ma” and the “Apostles’ Creed”) – it states:

“There is no god but God and Muhammad is the

Messenger of God”

Muslims believe… In the 7th Century (600’s) God sent a series

of “revelations” through the Archangel Gabriel

These were sent to a man named “MUHAMMED” – who is seen as the LAST Prophet sent to humanity by God – KNOWN AS THE “SEAL” OF THE PROPHETS

What is “a revelation”? A REVELATION is a clear and vivid

experience that teaches a profound, spiritual truth

Muslims believe that it is a special kind of inspiration reserved for special Prophets …

The revelation given to Muhammed by God proclaims the

ONENESS OF GOD and the NEED TO SUBMIT TO GOD

through

worship and righteous living

Islam… Is the third of the three great

monotheistic faiths born in the Middle East (i.e. Judaism and Christianity)

Key Figure: Prophet ABRAHAM (patriarch of the Jewish Faith, and ultimately, important to Christians)

Muslims also view the following as “great prophets”:

Noah, Moses, Jesus

Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the world today – despite negative publicity accompanying some more militant elements of the Islam religion…

Islam is a worldwide religion AFTER THE DEATH OF MUHAMMAD (its founder) it spread rapidly throughout Middle

East and North Africa – into Southern Europe, especially the Iberian Peninsula (southern Spain/northern Africa) and India

During Middle Ages, Islam was very influential in the creation of Western Civilization – areas of science, philosophy, medicine

During the “Modern Period” (about 1500- 1800)… Islam was forced out of the Iberian

Peninsula, and BRITAIN began to colonize places once ruled by the Muslim

At the end of the 20th Century and beginning of the 21st, Islam is striving to return to the greatness it once possessed…

Islam is a universal religion. It recognizes no national barriers and no distinctive race. All people are accepted as children of Allah (God)

Spread of Islam The spread of Islam was faster than any other

religion and is the most recent religious political movement.

By 650 CE Syria, Iraq, Palestine, and the Persian Empire fell quickly to Islam political and military actions.

Reasons for Islam’s Military success: Islam promises eternal reward to its members

who go into battle on its behalf Muslim soldiers were allowed to keep over half

of the war booty It’s goal is to purify corrupt and confused

societies. The Caliphs where the brilliant leaders that

guided these soldiers

It is the second largest, and currently the fastest growing religion in the world… It lays claim to 1.2 billion adherents Over 50 nations hold a population where the

majority are Muslims Range: from Indonesia in east to Morocco in

the west Small Muslim populations in Europe and the

Americas According to stats Canada, there were over

250,000 Muslims living in Canada in 1991 Closer to 650,00 today… Majority living in urban centres such as

Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver

Islamic Beliefs Absoluteness of ONE GOD It has SEVEN ARTICLES OF FAITH and

FIVE PILLARS – simply stated beliefs and practices for Muslims throughout the world

Like Judaism and Christianity, Islam is:

Historical monotheistic (the QUR’AN is - holy book)

Has Sacred Time: Muslims required to pray 5 TIMES DAILY facing the SACRED MECCA

Islam DOES NOT separate the “secular” from the “sacred”…

Muslims believe that ALL OF LIFE – physical, social, economic and political IS TO SUBMIT TO THE WILL OF ALLAH (God)

This is the nature of all creation “plants and animals” submit to the will of Allah Many humans make a choice to go AGAINST and

NOT SUBMIT to the will of Allah…but it is believed that:

ALLAH REMAINS COMPASSIONATE AND MERCIFUL

Islam is a simple religion it has very few elaborate rituals, harsh practices, and focuses on authentic prayer and a few specific rituals that call one to total devotion.

What are the Five Pillars of Faith and Seven Basic Beliefs?

The five Pillars of Islam form the framework of

Islamic life. They represent the five actions

a Muslim must fulfill to achieve salvation.

Shahada: The most important pillar is the testimony of faith, called the Shahada: “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadun rasoolu Allah,” meaning “There is no true god but God (Allah), and Mohammed is the Messenger (Prophet) of God.”

This simple statement expresses a Muslim's full commitment to the teachings of Islam.

Salat

Salat is the name for the obligatory prayers said five times a day.

The Islamic faith believes that individuals have a direct relationship with God, and the prayers represent the direct link between the worshipper and God.

Prayers are said at dawn, noon, midafternoon, sunset and nightfall, with the worshippers facing Mecca.

A “call to prayer” is made by a Muezzin – this call to prayer is known as ADHAN

There are only 4 positions in Salat:

1 Standing2 Bowing3 Prostrating4 Sitting

MASJID – MOSQUE: “Place of Prostration”, worship and

prayers - A masjid is an institution that is central to the Muslim community as it fulfils social and economic needs as well as religious

needs.

Zakat-Almsgiving

Zakat refers to the financial obligations required of adherents.

A key principle of Islam is that everything belongs to God, and that wealth is only held by human beings in trust. The word zakat means both "purification" and "growth."

Each year a Muslim calculates his or her own zakat.

Most adherents use a benchmark of 2.5 % of an individual's capital, given annually to the needy or for religious purposes.

Almsgiving is common in all religions, like the organized form of Catholic charitable donations in Canada - Sharelife, weekly donations at Church…

Sawm – The Fast

Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from first light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink and sexual relations.

The fast is used as a method of self-purification.

By forgoing worldly comforts, the fasting person seeks to gain a richer perception of God and a heightened sensitivity to the sufferings of the poor.

Fasting is done during the month of Ramadan as it is for Christians during Lent, Holy Week, or Good Friday

Ramadan is the month Muhammad first received his revelation from Allah.

Ramadan is the month

Muhammad first received his

revelation from Allah.

The Hajj- The Pilgrimage

The annual pilgrimage to Mecca -- the Hajj -- is considered the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity.

It is an obligation for those who are physically and financially able to

perform it at least once in life. It is a demonstration of the

solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to God

In 2007, the Hajj took place from December 17 to December 21. The next one will begin in the

first week of December 2008.

The Hajj continued… The Hajj is associated with the life of Muhammad,

but the ritual of pilgrimage to Mecca predates Islam, and is considered by Muslims to stretch back to the time of Abraham and Ishmael.

Pilgrims join processions of hundreds of thousands of people, who simultaneously converge on Mecca for the week of the Hajj, and perform a series of rituals.

As part of the Hajj, each person walks counter-clockwise seven times about the Kaaba, the cubical building which acts as the Muslim direction of prayer (qibla); run back and forth between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah; drink from the Zamzam Well; go to the plains of Mount Arafat to stand in vigil; and throw stones in a ritual Stoning of the Devil.

The pilgrims then shave their heads, perform an animal sacrifice, and celebrate the four day global festival of Eid al-Adha

All Muslims must take a Pilgrimage to the Ka’bah in Mecca once in a lifetime.

The Ka’bah is a meteor , or “Black Stone” that is said to have been given to Abraham by the Angel Gabriel. It is important

because Muslims believe that the Patriarch Abraham personally built the Ka’bah (cube-shaped building), using the Black Stone

in its construction. Abraham's son Ishmael assisted in that construction, according to Islamic beliefs. Because Abraham

was willing to sacrifice his son because the Lord asked him to do so, clearly indicated that Abraham was the first truly Devout

believer in the One God (Allah). The fact that Muslims face Mecca (the holiest city to Muslims) is really them facing the

Ka’bah in honour of Abraham

Risalah- Messengers, Books, Angels Al Risalah is the channel of communication

between Allah and mankind.(The Prophets/Messengers, the Divine Books, and the Angels.)