The misunderstood faith Islam The misunderstood faith

5 pillars of Islam Shahadah =faith/testimony Salat =prayer Seyaam=fasting Ramadan Zakkah=obligatory charity Hajj=pilgrimage

1st Pillar: Shahadah faith/testimony La Elaha Ella Allah, La = no Elaha= god Ella = except Allah=God No god but God Mohammed Rasool Allah. Mohammed=Arabic man , died~1400years ago Rasool=prophet Allah=God Mohammed is the prophet of God

Allah :name in the bible ALLELUYA = YA ALLA HU = OH! Allah Elohim =Eloh +im (pleural), translated to Allah in Arabic bible.

Allah Arabs called Allah , the God of their father Ibrahim, the God of gods. Mohammed’s (PBUH) father name is Abdullah, meaning slave of Allah Jews used the name Abdullah before prophet’s birth. The word Allah is used in Arabic translation of the bible. Also it exists in some old versions of English translations.

It doesn’t matter He has many names, they all mean the same. [Holy Quran 17:110] Say: "Call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman: by whatever name ye call upon Him, (it is well): for to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names. “

Story of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) He was born to Arab parents from the tribe of Quraish, in Makkah. Quraish worshiped ~360 gods they had in Makkah. They believed these gods will get them closer to the God of gods (Allah, Ibrahim’s Lord). His parents died very early. He never worshiped Idols, drank Alcohol or lied. He worked as a shepherd and then as a trader. Known to people in Makkah as “the Honest”.

Cont-story of Mohammed (PBUH) Mohammed searched for the truth but couldn’t find it in the polytheistic religion of Quraish. He started worshipping Allah following what he had of the teachings of Ibrahim. Being an illiterate man, he had no real access about Ibrahim’s monotheistic faith.

Cont-story of Mohammed (PBUH) At the age of 40, Gabriel appeared to him, the first revelation of Quran was given to him.

Cont-story of Mohammed (PBUH) Mohammed started teaching people. His close family members, friends and those who knew him well, believed him immediately , knowing he doesn’t lie. Many slaves and poor people believed in Islam, being attracted to its revolutionary social system and to the true monotheistic religion.

Cont-story of Mohammed (PBUH) Mohammed (PBUH) and his followers suffer a lot so they started finding a safe place. The Christian king of Abyssinia , gave Mohammed followers a safe place to hide. Later, Arab tribes in Medina heard about the prophet. Being informed about the soon coming of a prophet by their Jewish neighbors, they listened to him and then believed him.

Cont-story of Mohammed (PBUH) Arab tribes had multiple wars with the prophet and Muslims. Finally, victory was for Islam and Makkah fall in hands of the prophet. He forgave all his enemies and soon, his followers became in hundreds of thousands. He died at the age of 63.

2nd pillar = Salaat

Salaat=prayer "So turn thy face toward the Sacred Mosque, and (O Muslims), wheresoever ye may be, turn your faces toward it."- (HOLY QURAN 2:144). "Now when Daniel...went into his house; and his window being open in his chamber towards Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and thanks before his God, as he did aforetime."-(DANIEL 6:10).

Sojood= prostration "O you who believe! Bow down and prostrate yourselves and serve your Lord, and do good that you may prosper."-(HOLY QURAN 22:77). "And he (Jesus) went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed..."-(MATTHEW 26:39). "And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship..."-(JOSHUA 5:14). "And he (Elijah) cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees."-(1 KINGS 18:42). "And they (Moses and Aaron) fell upon their faces..."-(NUMBERS 20:6). "And Abraham fell on his face..."-(GENESIS 17:3).

3rd pillar Seyaam Fasting

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

Fasting According to Islamic resources; Prophet David used to fast every other day. Prophet Noah fasted for his whole life. Prophet Mohammed used to fast 2 days every week; Monday and Thursday. Jesus "fasted forty days and forty nights“ (Matthew 4:2). Disciples were fasting: "they fasted and prayed" (Acts 14:23).

Fasting Means abstinence from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset time on the day of fasting Obligatory only in Ramadan (9th month of Islamic lunar calendar) : healthy individuals able to fast. No fasting: Pregnant, nursing, ill, old, child and traveler.

Fasting Benefits Piety: Help believers to reach piety. Learn self-control: especially helpful to control bad habits like smoking, excessive eating and in the case of single unmarried persons; control sexual desire. Feel the pain of poor starving people. Feel the weakness of one’s body and the continuous need for God’s support. Bring Muslim families, and Muslims allover the world together, when they fast then brake the fasting at the same time.

4th pillar Zakaah obligatory charity

Zakaah 2.5% of savings go to the poor. Savings should be in hand for a full year. Not calculated on basis of income like tax. Personal obligation.

5th pillar Hajj Pilgrimage to Makkah

Story of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) Ibrahim’s (PBUH) 2nd wife , Hajar delivers Ismael, Ibrahim’s 1st son. God orders Ibrahim to leave his wife and her baby in a valley that had no water or food, known as Bakkah (later known as Makkah). Ibrahim obeys the order and leave his family there. Hajar and her baby had no water. She starts looking for water going back and forth between two plains, Safa and Marwa. She walks 7 times between them with no success.

Continue-story of Ibrahim God sends the angel, Gabriel, to dig a well of water under the feet of Ismael. Hajar comes to the water and start holding the water between her hands saying zam-zam, meaning stop stop. Arab tribes come to Bakkah and ask Hajar to use her water and since she liked to have people around her, she agrees.

Continue-story of Ibrahim Ibrahim comes back to visit his family many times. One time, he is ordered in a dream to sacrifice his son, Ismael. Ibrahim obeys but God saves Ismael through a miracle and orders Ibrahim to sacrifice a lamb instead.

Continue-story of Ibrahim Ibrahim and Ismael are ordered to build the house of God in Bakkah, called Kaabah. Ibrahim is ordered to make a call for Hajj. Ibrahim makes the call and every human being hears the call and those who are destined to respond will keep coming until the last hour.

Kaabah

[3;96] The first House (of worship) appointed for men was (the Kaabah); full of blessing and of guidance for all kinds of beings: [3;97] Pilgrimage is a duty men owe to Allah, those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures.

Forbidden in Islam Shirk: worshiping anybody/anything other than God. Treating parents badly: not obeying there orders, speaking to them in loud voice even if they have a different faith. murder, suicide. Stealing. Adultery, homosexuality. Usury: Mortgage, credit card with interest, bank interest. Gambling. Treating neighbors badly even if they have a different faith. Drinking Alcohol. Eating pork.

Behavioral aspects  Muslims should: Love Allah, his messengers and the believers. Be honest. Be generous. Visit the ill. Help the weak. Smile to others. Be clean. Remove dirt from the road. Dress conservatively.

World Muslims 1.2 billion, Muslims represent between 19.2% and 22% of the world's population. One of every five humans in the world is a Muslim Second largest religion in the world Fastest growing including Europe and America

World Distribution of Muslims Africa 308,660,000 27.4% Asia 778,362,000 69.1% Europe 32,032,000 2.8% Latin America 1,356,000 0.1% North America 5,530,000 0.5% World 1,126,325,000 100% Source:  Britannica Yearbook, 1997

American Muslims About 40% African Americans. 5.8 million Muslims in the USA (World Almanac 2001) About 40% African Americans. Not all Muslims are Arabs, Not all Arabs are Muslims.