Islam Religion of Peace OVERVIEW Islam n Its

Islam Religion of Peace

OVERVIEW Islam n Its History n Beliefs n Ultimate Goal of This Life n Teachings of Islam n

HISTORY

ISLAM n “Say, we believe in God and that which has been revealed to us, and that which was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and 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. ” (The Family of Ìmrán/Al-Ìmrán 83)

ISLAM n The word "Islam" l "submission to the will of God". n "Islam" comes from the same root as the Arabic word l "salam” l "peace"

ISLAM = PEACE n Love n Peace n Respect

ISLAM n n n The most important truth l “There is nothing divine or worthy of being worshipped except for Almighty God” The chapter Ikhlas (Sincerety) of the Qur’an summarizes: l "Say: He is Allah, The One: Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; and there is none like unto Him. " (Quran 112: 1 -4) The word "Muslim" means one who submits to the will of God

SACRED TEXT IN ISLAM n Two main sources l Koran » God’s word » Verses revealed to prophet Muhammad (PBUH) l Teachings of prophet Muhammad (PBUH) » Prophet Muhammad’s explanations of verses

KURAN Revealed in 23 years n Through Angel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) n 114 chapters n 6236 Verses n ~ 600 pages n

KURAN n Main Themes: l Unity of God l Messengers l Resurrection & hereafter l Worship l Justice

KURAN n Nature of Verses l Stories of past people & prophets l Reflection/Questions l Encouragements and discouragements l Injunctions l Prayers/Worship

PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH) n n n He (PBUH) was born in 571 He (PBUH) received first revelation in 610 He (PBUH) died in 632

MUHAMMAD (PBUH) n n By nature he was gentle and kind hearted, always inclined to be gracious and to overlook the faults of others. Politeness and courtesy, compassion and tenderness, simplicity and humility, sympathy and sincerity were some of the keynotes of his character.

TEACHINGS OF ISLAM

MEANING OF LIFE ACCORDING TO ISLAM n n n We stay in this life for a very short time After this world we will have an eternal life “Be certain of this, that the highest aim of creation and its most important result is belief in God. And the most exalted rank in humanity and its highest degree is the knowledge of God contained within belief in God. And the most radiant happiness and sweetest bounty for human beings is the love of God contained within the knowledge of God. ”

THREE MAIN POINTS OF THIS LIFE “The highest aim of creation and its most important result is belief in God” n “The most exalted rank in humanity and its highest degree is the knowledge of God contained within belief in God” n “The most radiant happiness and sweetest bounty for human beings is the love of God” n

ULTIMATE GOAL OF LIFE There is nothing more enjoyable for us than getting close to God n “To those who do right is a fine reward, neither dust nor shame shall cover their faces. Those are the companions of paradise, in it they shall live forever” (Jonah/Yunus 26) n

TEACHINGS ON GOD’S COMPASSION n The story of the mother who lost her child

TEACHINGS ON PARENTS n n “Paradise lies at the feet of your mother” & (3 x mother, father) “A father’s pleasure is Allah’s pleasure. A father’s displeasure is Allah’s displeasure. ”

TEACHINGS ON SPOUSES n “The most perfect of the believers is the best of you in character, and the best of you in character are those who are best to their wives. ”

TEACHINGS ON GUESTS n “He who believes in Allah and the last day should honor his guest. ”

TEACHINGS ON NEIGHBORS n “He is not a believer who eats his fill while his neighbor remains hungry by his side. ”

TEACHINGS ON CHILDREN n “He is not of us who has no compassion for our little ones and does not honor our elderly. ”

ﻻ ﺍ ﺍ ﺍ ﻧ Glory to You, of knowledge We have none, save what You have taught us: In truth it is You Who are perfect in knowledge and wisdom. ﺍﻳ (The Cow/Al-Baqarah 32)