Transcript IslamiCity: Towards a Sound Presence in Mass Communication

Understanding Islam and Muslims
A Presentation for a
Religious Diversity Series
in the work place
November 4, 1998 A.D.
14 Rajab 1419 A.H.
What is Islam?
According to Webster’s History of words: The
root of Islam is salaam which means PEACE
and Islam means SUBMISSION.
In the religious context it means attaining
PEACE through SUBMISSION to the divine
natural order created by the ONE Almighty
God.
2
What is Islam?
Continued
It is not a new religion, but the same truth that was
revealed to all the Prophets. Adam, Noah,
Abraham, Moses, Jesus & Muhammad. (Peace be
upon them)
The Prophet believes in what has been revealed to
him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers; they
all believe in God and His Angels and His Books
and His Prophets. Say, We make no difference
between any of His prophets. And they say: We
hear, and we obey: (We seek) Thy forgiveness, our
Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys. [Quran
2:285 ]
3
What is Islam?
Continued
"Say: we believe in God, and that which was
revealed unto us, and that which was revealed
unto Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and
Jacob, and the tribes, and that which was
bestowed upon Moses and Jesus and the
prophets from their Lord; We make no
distinction between any of them, and unto
Him we have surrendered. "
[The Holy Qur'an 3:84]
4
Who are Muslims?
 A Muslim is one who submits to the will of God.
(The term ‘Muhammadan’ is misleading and offensive)
 They comprise one fifth (1.2 Billion ) of the world
population.
 There are about 6 to 8 million Muslims in the US.
 About 30 million Muslims in Europe.
5
What is the Quran ?

The Quran is a record of the exact words revealed
by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet
Muhammad, fourteen centuries ago.

It was memorized by Muhammad (pbuh) and then
dictated to his Companions, and written down by
scribes, who cross-checked it during his lifetime.

Not one word of its 114 chapters (Surah) has been
changed over the centuries.
6
What is the Quran ?
Continued

The Quran, the last revealed Word of God, is the
prime source of every Muslim's faith and practice

It deals with all the subjects which concern us as
human beings: wisdom, doctrine, reasoning,
worship, and law, but its basic theme is the
relationship between God and His creatures

At the same time it provides guidelines for a just
society, proper human conduct and an equitable
economic system.
7
Who is Muhammad (pbuh) ?

Born in Makkah (Arabian Peninsula) in 570 AD

Like all the prophets before Muhammad he was
a human-being sent by God to remind people of
their One True Creator and establish a system of
peace and justice for all

The practice and example of the Prophet, is the
second source of guidance for Muslims
8
Who is Muhammad (pbuh) ? Continued

A hadith is a reliably transmitted report of what
the Prophet said, did, or approved. e.g. The
Prophet said:

'God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for
others.'

‘Whoever believes in God and the Day of
Judgment should do good to his neighbor’

'God does not judge according to your bodies
and appearances but He scans your hearts and
looks into your deeds.'
9
What are the Basic Islamic Beliefs?
1 One, Unique, Incomparable God, Who has no son or partner
Allah is the proper name of god. “The God”
2 Belief in God’s Revealed Books: Torah, Injil (Bible) & Quran
3 Belief in prophets of God: Adam, Noah, Ishmael, Isaac,
Jacob, Moses, Jesus and the Final Prophet and Messenger
Muhammad (peace be upon them)
4 Belief in the Day of Judgment: When all of humanity will be
held accountable for their deeds.
5 Belief in the Angels of God.
6 Belief in ‘Qadar’. Predestine and Due Measure.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Innocence of Humankind at Birth.
No Intermediary between God and Humans.
10
What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
1 Testimony of Faith: There is no deity but God
(Allah) and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet)
of God
2 Prayer: Daily at Dawn, Noon, Mid-Afternoon,
Sunset and Night. Each prayer takes a few minutes.
3 Poor Due (Zakat): An annual payment of 2.5% of a
Muslim’s wealth which is distributed among the
needy. Optional charity is encouraged.
4 Fasting: Total abstinence from food and liquid from
dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan.
5 Hajj: Annual pilgrimage to Makkah for those who
are physically and financially able.
11
Abrahamic Connection?
Genesis 17:5 No longer will you be called
Abram, your name will be Abraham, for I
have made you a father of many nations.
Quran 2:124 And (remember) when his Lord
tried Abraham with (His) commands, and he
fulfilled them, He said: Lo! I have appointed
thee a leader of many nations. (Abraham) said:
And of my offspring (will there be leaders) ?
He said: My covenant does not include the
unjust.
12
Abrahamic Connection?
It is here in Makkah that Prophet Abraham and
his son Ishmael built a house of worship for
God.
13
What do Muslims believe about
Jesus?
Quran confirms his virgin birth:
3:45 - Behold! the angels said: O Mary! God
gives thee glad tidings of a Word from Him:
his name will be Messiah, Jesus, the son of
Mary, held in honor in this world and the
Hereafter and of (the company of) those
nearest to God; (46) He shall speak to the
people in childhood and in maturity. And he
shall be of the righteous.
14
What do Muslims believe about
Jesus? Continued
Quran 3:47 - She said: My Lord! How can I
have a child when no mortal has touched me ?
He said: So (it will be). Allah creates what He
will. If He decrees a thing, He says unto it
only: Be! and it is.
Quran 3:59 - The likeness of Jesus before God
is as that of Adam; He created him from dust,
then said to him: "Be". And he was.
15
What does the Quran say about
Creation?
The Quran encourages humankind to use the
powers of intelligence and observation.
Ø Origin of Universe: Do the unbelievers not
realize that the heavens and the earth used to
be one solid mass that we exploded into
existence? And from water we made all living
things. Would they believe? [Qur’an 21:30]
Ø Expanding Universe: "The heaven, We have
built it with power. Verily. We are expanding it.
[Qur’an 51:47]
16
What does the Quran say about
Creation? Continued
Ø Embryology: ... Subsequently, we reproduced
him from a tiny drop, that is placed into a well
protected repository. Then we developed the
drop into a hanging (embryo), then developed
the hanging (embryo) into a bite-size (fetus),
then created the bite-size (fetus) into bones,
then covered the bones with flesh. We thus
produce a new creature. Most blessed is GOD,
the best Creator. Then, later on, you die. Then,
on the Day of Resurrection, you will be
resurrected. [Qur'an 23:12-16]
17
How does Islam adjust in the USA?
Islam in America - News Segment (2
min, 32 sec) (Produced by CBS
Evening News - January 25, 1998)
http://islam.org/Video/cbs1.ram
18
What aspects of Islam effect the
work place?
Holidays: Two main Holidays
One to celebrate the end of the fasting month
(Ramadan). Second to commemorate the example of
Prophet Abraham (pbuh). The end of annual pilgrimage
(Hajj)
Dietary Restriction: No Pig meat (pepperoni, ham,
pork, bacon, etc.) No intoxicants
Ablution: Washing before prayers
Prayers: Noon, Mid Afternoon and Friday
Fasting in Ramadan: No food during lunch meetings
19
What does Islam say about Diversity?
O mankind! We created you from a single
(pair) of a male and a female, and made you
into nations and tribes, that you may know
each other (not that you may despise (each
other). Verily the most honored of you in the
sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous
of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is
well acquainted (with all things). [Quran
49:13]
20
References:
On-line
www.Islam.org
Books
‘Islam and the Destiny of Man’ by Charles Le Gai Eaton
‘ISLAM 2000’ by Dr. Murad Hofmann
‘Struggling to Surrender’ by Dr. Jeffrey Lang
21
ISLAM
Peace & Submission
to the One Almighty God
22