ESSENTIALS OF ISLAMIC FAITH ISLAM The word Islam

ESSENTIALS OF ISLAMIC FAITH

ISLAM üThe word "Islam" is an Arabic word which means "submission to the will of God". This word comes from the same root as the Arabic word "salam” , which means "peace". As such, the religion of Islam teaches that in order to achieve true peace of mind and surety of heart, one must submit to God and live according to His Divinely revealed Law.

ISLAM üThe most important truth that God revealed to mankind is that there is nothing divine or worthy of being worshipped except for Almighty God, thus all human beings should submit to God. The word "Muslim" means one who submits to the will of God, regardless of their race, nationality or ethnic background.

Islam Worldwide

Islam Worldwide

CONTINUITY OF THE MESSAGE Islam is not a new religion, but a continuation of the same message and guidance that God revealed to all previous prophets. According to the Holy Qur’an God says, “Say, we believe in God and that which has been revealed to us, and that which was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the tribes and that which was given to Moses and Jesus and to other Prophets, from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit” (2: 136) ***

ALLAH • Allah is Arabic word for "God” • “Allah” is a unique term and it has no plural or gender forms • There is only One True God. Judaism, Christianity and Islam all have roots within the "Abrahamic Faith", and all of them are also classified as "monotheistic". • "Allah" is the same word that Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews use for God.

UNITY OF GOD ü There is only One Supreme Being who has no partners and is not dependent on anyone or anything. God is the Creator of everything and the whole universe is in the Creator’s control. God is the only One worthy of being worshipped. ***

Muhammed (p. b. u. h. ) ü Born 570 A. D. to the tribe of Quraish ü Labeled “Al Ameen” (the honest and trustworthy) even before the revelation ü The last messenger from God (as believed by Muslims) ü Role model that all Muslims should follow ü God says: “We have not sent you except as a mercy to all creation” (21: 107)

Beginning of Revelation ü One day when he was in the Cave of Hira, The Revelation came down to him unexpectedly and the Angel Gabriel said, to him: "Read". He said, ‘I cannot read!’ There upon the Angel took him and hugged him until he could bear it no more. Then Gabriel released him and said, ‘Read’. He said, ‘I cannot read!’ Gabriel hugged him a second time until he could bear it no more. Then Gabriel left him and said: ‘Read’. He again said, ‘I cannot read!’ Gabriel hugged him for the third time until he could bear it no more. Then Gabriel left him and said, “Read, in the name of your Lord and Cherisher, Who created- Created man out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood. Read, for your Lord is Most Bountiful, He who taught (the use of) pen-Taught man that which he knew not” (96: 1 -5)

Beginning of Revelation • Then he came home and narrated to his wife what had happened, and said, “I fear for my life'. She said; `No never! Be of good cheer. By God, never will God debase you: you treat the kindred well, you speak the truth, you bear the burden of the helpless, you help the poor, you entertain guests, and you do good works. ' Then she took him to Waraqah bin Naufal, who was her cousin. He had become a Christian in pre-Islamic days, wrote the Gospel in Arabic and Hebrew. After Waraqah listened to what happened to him, he said; `This is the same Angel of Revelation which God had sent down to Moses. Would that I were a young man during your Prophethood! Would that I were alive when your tribe would expel you!' The Holy Prophet said: `Will they expel me? ' Waraqah said, `Yes, never has it so happened that a person brought what you have brought and was not treated as an enemy. If I live till then I would help you with all the power at my command. ' But not very long after this Waraqah died. ”

First Believers The Messenger Muhammad patiently and quietly started teaching his friends and family members about Islam. This period of teaching lasted for three years and the total number of people who embraced the new religion during this time was less than thirty. ü

His Dedication ü The non-believers were more startled and disturbed. Threatening had failed, hence they tried to bribe him with wealth, honor, women and even kingship. The Messenger's simple answer to this was: “If they place the sun in my one hand the moon on the other, even then I shall not desist from performing my sacred mission. ”

His Patience and Mercy ü On one occasion when our beloved Messenger went to Taif, a nearby town, to preach the message of God, he was mercilessly attacked and stoned by the people. While suffering these tortures, Messenger Muhammad said: 'O God, show them the right path because they do not understand. '

Immigration to Medina • For five years the suffering of the believers multiplied day by day. In spite of these trials, however, more persons joined them each day. By this time the people of the city of Medina, who used to visit Mecca each year, had heard of the Messenger's message. Many of them embraced his teachings and they urged the Messenger to come to Medina. Although the Meccans decided to assassinate him and end his mission permanently, God revealed their evil design to the Messenger, and he was able to escape unharmed. When the Messenger and Abu Bakr arrived in Medina, they were welcomed with great joy by the believers.

Medina • In Medina the mission of the Messenger entered into its second and final phase, that of an organizer of a community based on the Divine law. While the revelations he received in Mecca were primarily concerned with the matters of faith, the revelations which were given to the Messenger at Medina cover a broad range dealing with all aspects of human conduct. The religion was a way of life for the individual and for the community, and every aspect of life is bound by its laws and practices.

A Living Example • Although toward the end of his life the Messenger was the head of a large nation, his way of life was extremely simple and austere. At times he and his household lacked even basic necessities. In all his words and deeds, he was a living example of the teachings of divine decree. Many of his sayings and actions have been recorded through his companions in the collections called hadith or the traditions of the Messenger to serve as a guide to Muslims.

Conqueror of Hearts ü In 628, Muhammad negotiated a truce with the Meccans and in the following year returned as a pilgrim to the city's holy sites. But upon the Meccans’ abuse and assassination of Muslims, Muhammad was given permission to conquer Mecca. When he entered the city, Muhammad acted generously to the Meccans, saying that 'No blame is on you this day. Go to your homes, for you are all free. '

Completion of the message ü On June 8, 632, at the age of sixty-three, less than a decade after he had set off from Mecca with his small band of followers, Muhammad passed away. ü Muslims to this day respect Muhammad as the embodiment of the believer who is on the path to perfection and take his actions and sayings as a model of ideal conduct. ***

QUR’AN ü The main scripture and one of the basic sources of Islamic teachings and laws ü It is considered the literal word of God that was revealed to Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years ü The original and complete text of the Quran is available to everyone in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed ü Translations of the meaning into many other languages are widely used

What does The “Qur’an” cover? ü Deals with the foundations of creeds, morality, the history of humanity, worship, knowledge, wisdom, the relationship of people to God and God to people, and all aspects of interpersonal relationships ü Teaches humankind the purpose of one’s life and the duties and obligations toward oneself, family, relatives, community, fellow human beings, and The Creator

What does The “Qur’an” cover? ü A linguistic miracle ü Accurate scientific facts ü Stories of people and places in the past with vivid detail

Pillars of Belief • • • God (Allah) Angels Revealed Books Revealed Messengers Day of the Judgment Pre-destination

Belief in God ü Tawheed (Monotheism) Unity: 1 Say: He is God, the One and Only Unity: 2 God, the Eternal, Absolute;

Belief in Angels ü Gabriel (Archangel) ü Isra’il (Angel of Death) ü Mikhail (Angel of the seasons) ü Israfil (Courier of the day of the judgment)

Revealed Books ü Torah (Moses) ü Zaboor (David) ü Gospel (Jesus) ü Qu’ran (Muhammed)

Revealed Prophets 2: 213 Mankind was one single nation, and God sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they differed; but the People of the Book, after the clear Signs came to them, did not differ among themselves, except through selfish contumacy. God by His Grace Guided the believers to the Truth, concerning that wherein they differed. For God guided whom He will to a path that is straight.

Revealed Prophets God informed us of twenty-five of them in the Qur’an: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) Adam Enoch Noah Hud Salih Abraham Isaac Ishmael 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17) Jacob Joseph Shu‘ayb Lot John the Baptist Zechariah Aaron David Moses 18) Solomon 19) Elijah 20) Job 21) Elisha 22) Jesus 23) Dhul-Kifl 24) Jonah 25) Muhammad

Day of Judgement • Belief in the Hereafter • Accountability of how you lived your life • Balance of both good and bad deeds ***

Kader (Predestination) • Predestination • Freewill

Pillars of Islam • • • Shahadah (Declaration of Faith) Salat (Prayer) Zakat (Charity) Sawm (Fast) Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Shahadah (Declaration of Faith) • Believe in no god but one God, and Muhammed (PBUH) is His last messenger.

Salat (Prayer) • Worship 5 times a day » » » pre-dawn noon mid-afternoon after sunset night

Zakat (Charity) • Eligible Muslims pay alms, an annual basis that helps to “purify” their wealth. • Zekat can be given to the poor, orphans, and needy in society. • Zakat consists of giving 2. 5% of one’s accumulated wealth

Zakat (Charity) • Obligatory charity giving is an act of worship and spiritual investment. Zakat does not only purify the property of the contributor but also purifies his heart from selfishness and greed. It also purifies the heart of the recipient from envy and jealousy, from hatred and uneasiness and it fosters instead good-will and warm wishes for the contributors. It also frees society from welfare, distrust and corruption. The contributor should not seek pride or fame but if disclosing his name and his contribution is likely to encourage others, it is acceptable to do so.

Fasting • Fasting is from sunrise to sunset • Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan • Fasting helps Muslims: – build will-power – feel compassion – purify body – strengthen their community relations

Fasting 2: 183 O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint

Hajj (Pilgrimage) • It is obligatory to make the pilgrimage to Mecca for Muslims who can afford it physically and financially, at least once in a lifetime. • Muslims from all walks of life, from every corner of the globe assemble in Mecca in response to the call of God. • It is to commemorate the Divine rituals observed by the Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael, who were the first pilgrims to the Ka'bah. • It is also to remember the great assembly of the Day of Judgment when people will stand equal before God.

Hajj (Pilgrimage)