Transcript Powerpoint Presentation

ISLAM 101
Presenter: Aurangzeb
Why Care About Religion?
• Who are we?
• Who created us?
• Why were we created?
• Why are we given life?
• What is life?
• How should we live? What is expected of us?
• What happens when we die? It just ends or is there more to it?
• And more!
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Why Care To Know About Islam?
• Religion of 1.6 billion people
• One out of nearly every 4 persons is a Muslim
• The second largest religion in terms of number of followers
• The fastest growing religion
• Media always mentions Islam but mostly in a very negative way
– So it’s only fair to try to know what it actually is before forming an opinion
• It claims that it answers all the fundamental questions and
everything makes perfect sense and that it is “the true religion”.
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The Creator
• Everything is created by God, Allah in Arabic.
• The Creator is absolutely perfect and most exalted
• He begets not, nor is He begotten. There is nothing like Him.
• He possesses all the good and unique attributes of infinite vastness and
absolute perfection, All-knowing, All-powerful, and so on.
• He is “absolutely perfect” and free from any kind of flaw, weakness,
imperfection, need and dependence - no matter how minute it is.
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Purposeful Creation
• Because God is perfect what He does is perfect too.
• It is a purposeful creation.
• What is that purpose then?
– Praise, glorification, reverence, worship, complete obedience and
submission
• Everything in the universe fulfills the purpose of its creation
(praise, glorification, etc.) but without knowing and without
choice.
• Human beings are unique
– Intellect/Wisdom
– Freedom to choose
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Life Is A Test!
• Life of this world is a test. Everyone is being tested.
• It explains why some are born with diseases or in extreme poverty,
why there is injustice and oppression in the world, etc.
• The result of the test?
– Those who pass are acknowledged, appreciated and rewarded (Heaven)
– Those who fail are punished (Hell)
• What is required?
– Know who the creator is
– What His attributes are (how absolutely perfect and most exalted He is)
– Praise Him, Glorify Him, Worship Him, Obey Him in everything, Submit to
Him
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Are We Told About The Test?
• God explained the whole truth in His own words (books of God,
Torah, Psalms, Gospel, Quran)
• Who the Creator is, what His attributes are, what this test is, what
we are supposed to do, how we are supposed to worship, how we
are supposed to obey God (we are given detailed instructions
regarding what to do and what not to do).
• Not only that, He appointed human beings as the instructors who
“explained” the truth – the word of God
• Adam, Noah, Abraham, Lot, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron,
David, Solomon, John, Jesus and Muhammad (may peace be upon them
all)
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Islam – Not A New Religion!
• One God – one message – one religion – one truth!
• All the messengers preached the same religion – Islam
• Islam literally means – Submission, purity and peace
• If a person fully submits himself or herself to the will of
God, and worships God purely without any association
with God, he or she should live in peace and harmony
in this world and in the hereafter.
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Beliefs
• One Creator – God, Allah
• Books
• Messengers
• Angels
• Day of Judgment (Resurrection)
• Qadar
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1. The Creator
• Everything is created by God, Allah in Arabic.
• The Creator is absolutely perfect and most exalted
• He begets not, nor is He begotten. There is nothing like Him.
• He has got all the good and unique attributes of infinite vastness and
absolute perfection, All-knowing, All-powerful, and so on.
• He is “absolutely perfect” and free from any kind of flaw, weakness,
imperfection, need and dependence - no matter how minute it is.
• The only one worthy of all worship, praise, obedience, etc.
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2. Books
• God explained the whole truth Himself - Word of God / Books of God
– Torah
– Psalm
– Gospel
– Quran
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4:170. O mankind! Verily, there has come to you the Messenger with the truth
from your Lord, so believe in him, it is better for you. But if you disbelieve,
then certainly to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. And
Allah is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise.
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5:76. Say (O Muhammad to mankind): "How do you worship besides Allah
something which has no power either to harm or to benefit you? But it is Allah
Who is the All-Hearer, All-Knower."
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Quran – Final Revelation
• 35:3. O mankind! Remember the Grace of Allah upon you! Is there any
creator other than Allah who provides for you from the sky (rain) and
the earth? None has the right to be worshipped but He. How then are
you turning away?
• 114:1-4. Say (O Prophet to mankind): He is Allah, the One and Only;
Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begets not, nor is He begotten. And
there is none like unto Him.
• Arabic, still alive
• Protection
• Memorization
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Quran
Source: http://quranflash.com
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3. Messengers
• Human beings who explained the word of God to mankind and guided
them, Instructors of mankind
• Teaching + practical demonstration
• They were given books (Torah, Psalm, Gospel, Quran)
• Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, David,
Solomon, John, Jesus and Muhammad (may peace be upon them all)
• Muhammad (may peace be upon him) is the final messenger.
• Books and Messengers are the two sources of guidance
• Muslims follow Quran and Muhammad (peace be upon him)
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Muhammad
(peace be upon him)
• The final prophet, but a human being, not a son of God or God,
• Born in 6th century (571 AD), died at the age of 63
• Descendant of Abraham
• First revelation at the age of 40:
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“Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists), Has
created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). Read! And
your Lord is the Most Generous, Who has taught (the writing) by the pen,
Has taught man that which he knew not.”
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4. Angels
• Created from light
• Not given free will
• Do what they are commanded
• Never disobey
• Some are assigned specific tasks like Arch Angel Gabriel’s duty was
to bring revelation to prophets and help them in their prophetic
mission
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5. Day of Resurrection
• Life of this world is not the only life, it is just a test (timed test)
• Everyone will be resurrected one day
• Everyone will be judged how he/she did in the test
• Those who pass the test would be acknowledged, appreciated,
honored and rewarded (Paradise)
• Those who fail the test would be punished (Hell)
• We want that there be perfect justice some day
– A man who kills 100 people, we can’t punish him enough
– A man who gives his own life to save hundreds of people, we can’t
reward him, he is already dead. What did he get by giving his life?
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6. Qadar
• The test we are put into is from God and is pre-formed and decreed
– The skills, strengths, abilities we are given
– When we are born, when we die
– The families we are born into, the appearances we are given
– The diseases we catch
– The genes we are given
– The situations we are put into, etc.
• All such things that make and define test are fixed and from God
• But How we perform in the test, is left to us and our choice/will
• But God has complete knowledge of everything
• However His pre-knowledge and our choice are different things.
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What Is Required?
1. Know who the creator is, what His attributes
are (how absolutely perfect and most exalted He
is)
2. Worship Him, Praise Him, Glorify Him, Thank
Him
3. Obey Him in everything, Submit to Him
completely and unconditionally
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Worshipping God
• Prayer
– Formal (follow a protocol)
• 5 obligatory prayers
– Constant reminder
– Direct link between God and human
– Distributed throughout the day
– Window of time for every prayer
– Congregation – practically teaches equality
• Additional
Steps to Prayer in Islam
“Prayer Guide in 14 Steps” © WordofIslam.info
– Informal
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Worshipping God
• Fasting
– Obligatory (9th month of Lunar calendar - Ramadan) + Additional
– No food or drink (including water) and sexual relationships with spouses from
dawn till dusk
– Human = Body + Spirit
during fasting: Body
Spirit
– Avoiding lawful things while fasting gives strength to avoid unlawful things the
rest of the year.
– Meant to be an energizer
– Sympathy for the poor and thankfulness to God
– Purpose of fasting is righteousness
– Not something new, was prescribed for previous nations too (again the same
one religion)
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Worshipping God
• Pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj)
– Obligatory on Muslims who can physically and financially
afford it once in their lifetime.
– Additional
– Specific rituals are performed
– Every year 2.5 – 3.0 million people from all over the world
perform pilgrimage
– Practical demonstration of equality of human beings,
universality of religion and the brotherhood it teaches.
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Pilgrimage
Islamic Society of Greater Lafayette
http://isglonline.org/
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Actions
• Charity
– Love of wealth, one of the causes of evils
– Giving wealth in God’s way purifies us and as well as helps
others
– Obligatory
• 2.5% of annual savings
• Makes sure that wealth circulates among all and that no one
dies of hunger and their basic needs are taken care of
– Additional
– Encouraged to give more in God’s way
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Five Pillars
• Testimony of faith
– I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah
and I testify that Muhammad is His messenger and slave.
• 5 obligatory prayers
• Fasting in the month of Ramadan
• Obligatory charity (2.5% of annual savings)
• Pilgrimage to Makkah (once in lifetime)
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What Is Required?
1. Know who the creator is, what His attributes
are (how absolutely perfect and most exalted He
is)
2. Worship Him, Praise Him, Glorify Him, Thank
Him
3. Obey Him in everything, Submit to Him
completely and unconditionally
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Commandments For Obedience
• Do not associate anyone or anything with God in
worship
• Do not kill an innocent person
– “If anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread
mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved
a life, it would be as if he saved all mankind.” (5:32)
• Respect and obey the parents, especially to mothers
– “And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain
old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but
address them in terms of honor. And lower unto them the wing of submission
and humility through mercy, and say: "My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy
as they did bring me up when I was small.“ (17:23-24)
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Commandments For Obedience
• Do not commit sex except with spouse after marriage
• Do justice even if it goes against you or your relatives or
friends
– 4:135. O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah,
even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or
poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of
your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse
to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do.
• Do not indulge in usury/interest
• Do not indulge in shameful sins
• Do not slander chaste women and men
• Do not lie, always speak the truth
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Commandments For Obedience
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Do not defraud orphans of their property
Do not break ties with relatives
Do not be arrogant
Do not backbite
Do not discriminate based on race, color, language, nationality, etc.
Do not make fun of others or look down upon others, do not spy on others
Help the poor, the needy, the orphans, the travelers
Help the neighbors and relatives
Return the trusts to those whom they are due
Keep your promises and oaths
Be modest
And much more!
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What Is Required For Salvation?
• Obvious answer - Passing the test!
• Sin – Disobedience of God
• God is all forgiving, His mercy encompasses everything
• All He requires from us is that when we disobey Him we
– Realize and confess our mistake, be ashamed of it
– Turn to God in repentance
– Seek His forgiveness
– Resolve to not do it again
– Rectify ourselves
• Perfection is not desired – We can never be perfect, only God is so
• We are required to sincerely struggle to pass the test (worship +
obedience) and when we falter, we turn to Him in repentance
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View of Society
• A peaceful society where everyone’s life, property and honor are
protected and honored
• Society based on justice, peace, equality and fairness. Where
everyone is treated equally, everyone has access to opportunities to
prosper and everyone’s basic needs are taken care of
• Society where there is no oppression, exploitation, discrimination,
injustice and evil
• Jihad – struggle to establish justice and eradicate oppression
• Morality and Modesty
• Sexual immorality is detrimental for a productive society
• Dress code for men and women
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Muslims and Islam
• There are Muslims who don’t practice Islam properly
• Some do things that are totally against Islam
• Some practice their cultures and prefer them over Islam while nonMuslims perceive that these cultural practices are the teachings of
Islam where in fact they may be totally opposite to what Islam
teaches
• Islam should not be judged by what Muslims do
• To know about Islam one should read:
– Quran
– Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
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Questions!
• Contact:
[email protected]
Office hours: Thursdays from 6:00pm to 7:00pm
isglonline.org
www.purdue.edu/msa
[email protected]
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Extra Slides
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Islam and Christianity
• Similarities
– God, prophets, books, heaven, hell
• No trinity in Islam – God is alone, has no son(s)/daughter(s)
• No original sin in Islam
• Blood is not needed to blot out sins
• Faith alone is not enough, both faith and actions are required to
pass the test of life
• Holy Spirit is Angel Gabriel
• Jesus
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Jesus in Islam
• Muslims believe in Jesus. No Muslim is a Muslim unless he/she
believes in Jesus, among other beliefs.
• Muslims believe that:
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Jesus was born of a virgin pious lady, Mary
He was the Promised Christ
He preached the divine book Injeel (Gospel) given to him
He was ascended to Heavens
He would be sent again near the end of time.
He was the word of God
He was supported by the Holy Spirit
• Muslims believe in all the miracles that Jesus performed.
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That he gave life to dead
That he cured blinds and lepers (all by the permission of God)
That he spoke as an infant.
others
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Jesus in Islam
• Muslims believe that Jesus was no more than a human being.
• He used to eat and excrete (while God does not, is absolutely
perfect). He was man in all respects.
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But he was a prophet of God, like Moses and Abraham, one of the
best human beings ever lived
• He was not son of God, or God Himself
• He was not crucified
• He did not die for our sins
• Example of Jesus is like the example of Adam
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Verily, the likeness of Jesus before Allah is the likeness of Adam. He
created him from dust, then (He) said to him: "Be!" - and he was. (3:59)
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About Some Christians
• "Then, We (it is plural of respect and not number) sent after them,
Our Messengers, and We sent Jesus son of Mary, and gave him the
Gospel. And We ordained in the hearts of those who followed him,
compassion and mercy.” (57:27)
• "...and you will find the nearest in love to the believers (Muslims)
those who say: "We are Christians." That is because amongst them
are priests and monks, and they are not proud." (5:82)
• "And when they (who call themselves Christians) listen to what has
been sent down to the Messenger (Muhammad, peace be upon him)
(i.e. Quran), you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of
the truth they have recognized. They say: "Our Lord! We believe;
so write us down among the witnesses." (5:83)
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Terrorism
• Islam promotes peace, justice, equality and fairness
• Sanctity of human life
• Islam - Practical religion
• Fasaad – persecution, oppression, terrorism, vandalism, robbery,
piracy
• "if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to
do "fasaad“ in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and
if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all
mankind.“ (Quran 5:32)
• Islam not only protects lives and properties of the people, it protects
their honors too
• Slandering and backbiting are great sin in Islam
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Terrorism (cont.)
•
"Woe to every slanderer and backbiter." (Quran 104:1)
•
"O you who believe! Avoid much suspicions, indeed some suspicions are
sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to
eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting as
much as you would hate eating flesh of your dead brother). And fear Allah
(God). Verily, Allah is the One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful."
(Quran 49:12)
• Calling names, mocking at others or damaging repute by any means
are prohibited
– "O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be
that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women scoff at
other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, nor
defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is
it, to insult one's brother after having faith. And whosoever does not
repent, then such are indeed wrong-doers. (Quran 49:11)
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Terrorism (cont.)
• Islam actually exhorts its followers to struggle to establish a society
in which lives, properties and honor of people are safeguarded, their
rights are protected and where there is justice, fairness and equality.
This struggle comes under another broader Quranic term "Jihad“
(literally means struggle)
– "Permission to fight (against oppressors) is given to those (believers)
who are fought against, because they have been wronged; and surely,
Allah is Able to give them (believers) victory - Those who have been
expelled from their homes unjustly only because they said: "Our Lord is
Allah." For had it not been that Allah checks one set of people by
means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques,
wherein the Name of Allah is mentioned much would surely have been
pulled down. Verily, Allah will help those who help His (Cause:
Justice, equality, obedience). Truly, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty."
(22:39-40)
– "…if you (believers) do not do so [fight collectively with oppressors],
there will be oppression on the earth, and a great fasaad." (8:73)
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Terrorism (cont.)
– "And what is wrong with you that you fight not in the Cause of Allah,
and for those weak, ill-treated and oppressed among men, women, and
children, whose cry is: "Our Lord! Rescue us from this town whose
people are oppressors; and raise for us from You one who will protect,
and raise for us from You one who will help." (4:75)
• With others believers are asked to be kind
– "Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who
fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your
homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity. It is only as
regards those who fought against you on account of religion, and have
driven you out of your homes, and helped to drive you out, that Allah
forbids you to befriend them…" (60:8-9)
• Also while fighting with oppressors to establish peace and justice,
believers are asked to not overdo and forgive when they can
– "And fight in the Way of Allah those who fight you, but transgress not
the limits. Truly, Allah likes not the transgressors." (2:190)
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Terrorism (cont.)
– "But if they incline to peace, you also incline to it, and (put your) trust
in Allah. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower." (8:61)
– "And if you punish (oppressors, O you believers in the Oneness of
Allah), then punish them with the like of that with which you were
afflicted (do not overdo). But if you endure patiently, verily, itis better
for the patient ones." (16:126)
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