Basic Facts of Islam n Islam is the

Basic Facts of Islam n Islam is the third in succession of the three great monotheistic faiths born in the Middle East (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) n Islam is the second largest religion in world (1. 2 billion adherents) n There is an estimated 650 000 Muslims living in Canada n Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world

Islam Terms n n Islam: an Arabic word that means “submitting to God” and “peace” Muslim: a person who follows the teachings of Islam and “submits to God and finds peace in Him”. All creation is Muslim. Shahadah: “There is no god but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God”. Allah: Arabic name for God. It is preferred over other names because it has no gender affiliation and does not have plurality

Understanding Islam n Islam is a rational religion: “The vilest of creatures are those who choose to be deaf and dumb and do not use their reason. ” (Qur’an 8: 2) n Muhammad reminded his followers that “The first thing God created was reason”. Therefore, believers must take personal responsibility for one’s actions and faith.

Freedom of Conscience n “There is no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clearly from falsehood; whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the strongest rope that never breaks. And God is All Hearing and All Knowing” Qur’an 2: 256

Beliefs 1. Belief in only One God. He is defined as Eternal, Absolute, Infinite, Compassionate and Merciful, the sole Creator and Provider. 2. Engage only in Righteous Actions in all areas: spiritual, intellectual and physical activity. 3. All God’s creation is “Muslim”. Only humans are given CHOICE to submit (be Muslim) or reject submission to God’s will. 4. All children are born without sin and are Muslim. As they grow older, they make their religious CHOICE. 5. God created human beings with a body and soul. The body is a temporal host for this life, whereas the soul is eternal. It is the soul that will survive beyond death. 6. Universality of the call. All Muslims are brothers and equals without any distinction of class, race or tongue. Superiority is only based on the greater fear of God and greater piety.

Practices Prayer n worshippers line up in rows and enact ritual in unison (prostration) n Friday midday prayers at mosque Fasting n month of Ramadan (ninth month of lunar year) to test the spirit, discipline the will and remind of the hungry and poor n Numerous important events took place during Ramadan (first revelation in 610 CE, flight to Mecca in 622 CE, victory in 624 CE) n Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr (period of spiritual and moral renewal)

Mosque n Muslim place of worship Muslims come together in a mosque for prayers at midday on Friday (Muslim Holy Day) n MIHRAB= small arch or hole in wall indicates the direction of the Ka’bah in Mecca n MINARET= high tower or dome from which a muezzin calls the faithful to prayer n WUDU= cleansing process before prayer (water) n IMAM= chief officer in the mosque who leads prayers

PROPHET’S MOSQUE in Madinah: the first mosque in Islam

Qur’an n n n Holy book of Islam which means “recitation” Records the revealed word of God that came through Angel Gabriel to Muhammad over 23 years Muhammad dictated revelations to scribes and companions who memorized passages It is the only revealed book that has remained intact and unchanged since its revelation (oral tradition) Principle source of Muslim faith and practice Children learn to memorize the Qur’an as a child Divided into 114 suras (chapters); longest chapter has 286 verses, the shortest has 3 verses; approximately 78 000 words in length

al-Fatihah (The Opening) Qur’an 1: 1 -7 “In the name of Allah, Most Gracious Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds. Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee do we worship and Thine aid we seek: Show us the straight way. The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose portion is not wrath and who go not astray. ”

Ka’bah n n n Ka’bah- cube shaped building that was built by Abraham to honour God Viewed as Adam’s original place of worship Was filled with idols as people in Arabia followed polytheism Muhammad- received revelations that led to Islam and monotheism (and removal of idols) Site of hajj- pilgrimage to Mecca

Muhammad n n n SEAL of the Prophets (last in a line of 28 Prophets who all preached the religion of Islam) Born in 570 CE Each succeeding Prophet added or improved upon the cumulative message of Islam Through Muhammand (PBUH), the message of Islam was completed and is preserved intact in the Qur’an In 622 CE, hijrah (migration) where Muhammad moved from Mecca to Madinah (marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar) Islam spread to Arabia, Spain and as far East as China

Other Prophets n These Prophets are regarded as most significant: Muhammad, Moses, Abraham and Noah n Jesus is highly respected and considered as a great prophet by Muslims n Qur’an re-affirms the miraculous birth and abilities of Jesus n Muslims believe in the Second Coming of Jesus before the end of time

Human Equality n “O humankind! You were created from a single soul, male and female, and made you into peoples and tribes. So that you may know one another. Truly, the most honoured of you in God’s sight is the greatest of you in piety. God is All Knowing, All Aware” (Qur’an 49: 13)

Islam and War Like Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self defense, in defense of religion, or on the part of those who have been expelled forcibly from their homes n Strict rules for combat, which includes prohibitions against harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees and livestock n “Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors” (Qur’an 2: 190) n “And fight them unitl persecution is no more, and religion is for God. But if they desist, then let there be no hosility excpet against wrongdoers” (Qur’an 2: 193) n

Day of Judgment n n n All humans will be bodily resurrected and assembled for final accounting of deeds Soul will move on to afterlife Upon the Final Judgment = world will end and we will stand before God to confront our own life and actions Desire for purified soul= heaven (eternal abode of beauty and majesty) Disbelievers and unpure soul= hell (abode of great torment and anguish)

Jihad n n Jihad does not mean “holy war” Literally, jihad means to strive, struggle and exert effort. Concept includes struggle against evil inclinations within oneself, struggle to improve quality of life in society, struggle in the battlefield for self defense or fighting against tyranny or oppression There is no such thing as “holy war” in Islam, but it is the frequent repetition in the West that many people accept it as if it were a fact

Women’s Rights According to Qur’an, men and women are equal before God n Under Islamic law, women have the right to own property, receive an education and take part in community life n Islamic rules for simple, modest and dignified dress applies to women and men equally n In many Muslim countries there are cultural practices that are inconsistent and contrary to the authentic teachings of Islam n

Islam: Controversial Issues n Polygamy n Jihad vs. Holy War n Hijab : liberation or suppression n Muhammad Cartoons: freedom of speech vs freedom of religion n Appeal of Suicide Bombers n Afghanistan's Taliban n War on Islam