Transcript Introduction to Islam

Islam
• www.mwlcanada.org/publications/Introdu
cing_Islam.ppt
Introducing Islam
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Scriptures: Quran / Koran
God: Allah
Authority: Muhammad
Date founded: 622 CE
Believers: 1,570 million
(80% outside the Arab world. the fastest growing
religion)
• Islam means submission to the will of God. A Muslim is
one who submits. Man’s purpose is to serve the will of
God.
Five Pillars of Faith
• Tawhid – the oneness or unity
• Prophecy – Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.
Jesus was the second to last prophet, who foretold the
coming of Muhammad.
• Revelation – God revealed scriptures to humanity as
guidance for them. The Quran is the final word.
• Angelic Agency – Angels are everywhere; they come to
people’s help in every thought and action. (Fisher and
Luyster)
• Last Judgment and Afterlife – the pictures of Heaven and
Hell.
Five Pillars of Practice
• Shahada—Declaring your faith 承认信仰
– “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Prophet of
Allah.”
• Salat—Five daily prayers and one communal on Friday 礼
拜
• Zakat—Almsgiving 课功
• Sawm—Fasting one month every year, the holy month of
Ramadan 斋月
• Hajj—Pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia once in a life
time 麦加朝圣
Jihad—Holy War
• Two meanings:
– Inner Jihad, the struggle with oneself, mastering one’s passions and
leading to a virtuous life
– Outer Jihad, all activities like defending Islamic faith or Muslim
lands
The Prophet
His background
• An orphan of a noble, but not well-to-do, family that
lived in Mecca.
• His father died before his birth. His mother died
when he was six. His uncle raised him.
• He was known for being honest and truthful before
prophethood.
• Worked as a shepherd and later as a trader
• Married his first wife Khadija, and the mother of his
surviving children, when he was 25. She was 40.
The Prophet
His prophethood
• In 610, he received his first revelation at 43. These revelations
were compiled later into the Quran; the holy book of Muslims
• The nobles of Mecca refused his call, ostracized and
persecuted him and his followers.
• After 12 difficult years, he immigrated in 622 to Medina
whose people welcomed him.
• In Medina, he was a prophet and a statesman.
• In 633, he died at 63
• His personality revolves around the traits of mercy, generosity
and forgiveness.
The Prophet
The message
• The oneness of God, the creator of the whole
universe.
• Islam is the continuation of divine messages that
God sent to humanity through prophets like
Abraham, Isaac, Moses, and Jesus.
• The moral principles of the ten commandments
are reflected in the message of Muhammad.
• It acknowledges the diversity of the human race
and freedom of religions
The Quran
• The revelation of God to
Muhammad
• It has been preserved as
revealed 14 centuries ago.
• It consists of 114 chapters
of various lengths. In
Arabic, it numbers about
604 pages.
• The translation of its
meaning is available in
English, Chinese and most
of the world’s languages
The Quran
• Appeals to the mind to reflect
on creations and the creator
• Glad tidings for the believers
• Admonitions to the nonbelievers
• Stories of previous messengers
of God such as Noah, Abraham,
Isaac, Moses, Jesus, Mary, etc.
• Rulings on social and
commercial issues.
What the Quran says about
• Moses: And we sent Moses with our signs; get your people
from darkness to light and remind them of the miracles of
Allah. For in it are signs for the thankful (14:5)
• Mary: The angels said. “O Mary! Allah has chosen, purified
and chosen you among the women of this world. Mary,
worship your Lord devoutly: Prostrate and bow with those
who bow down.(3:42-43)
• Jesus: The angels said, “O Mary! Allah brings you good
news; a word from Him whose name will be Christ Jesus,
the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the
hereafter and of those nearest to Allah. (3:45-46)
The Muslim legal code “Shari’a”
• Consists of the following
components:
• Rulings mentioned in the Quran
• Precedents in the life of Muhammad
as it explains and complements the
Quran in more details
• Opinions (fatwa) of Muhammad’s
prominent companions.
• Opinions of previous jurisprudents
• Opinions of contemporary scholars
• Importance of majority and consensus
The Mosque
• The Muslim’s house of God,
where they pray.
• The Imam (religious leader)
leads the prayers and delivers
sermons.
• Persons entering the mosque are
supposed to have cleansed
themselves.
• Non-Muslims should seek
permission before entering the
mosque.
Islamic Foundation, Scarborough
Friday sermon
& prayers
The Muslims of the world
• Sects: Sunni (the majority), Shia 7%,
Ismaili 1%?
• Homogenous when it comes to core beliefs
and essential practices of Islam like daily
prayers, fasting, etc
The Muslim Women
• The first to accept Muhammad’s message was his wife Khadija.
Many of his followers were women who embraced Islam before
their spouses or fathers.
• Islam gave women the following rights, 1400 years ago:
– The right to decide their future Muslim husbands.
– The right to a definite share of the estate of a father, husband or
children. A will cannot take away or abrogate this right.
– The right to own property independently of their husbands or children.
– The right to education.
– The right to conduct their own commercial business.
– The right to participate in politics.
Dealing with Muslims
• Muslims take their religion, and its symbols, very
seriously.
• Muslims invoke prayers frequently in their daily chores.
• Muslim women are required to dress modestly and not to
show their beauty except to near family.
• Muslims are not supposed to sit or meet alone with
members of the opposite sex.
• Muslims are respectful of elders, women and persons of
authority. Out of respect they may not look you in the eye,
not because they are avoiding you.
• Muslims have dietary restriction; mainly they are not
allowed to eat pork, wild animals or animal slaughtered
improperly. Islam forbids alcoholic beverages and drugs.
Winning the Muslims
 Know them better; their religion and culture(s).
 Communicate with leaders and institutions to
build trust and cooperation.
 Solicit advice from leaders on handling issues and
situations.
 Show respect and understanding: soft approach
works better than hard one.