Understanding Islam Ishaq Zahid

Outline Introductory Remarks The Basics of Faith Rituals-Forms of Worship Muslim Students in Your Classroom Some Quotations from Quran and Hadith Questions/Answers

Introductory Remarks No Compulsion in Religion Christians and Jews as the People of the Book

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 Africa308,660, % Asia778,362, % Europe32,032,0002.8% Latin America1,356,0000.1% North America5,530,0000.5% World1,126,325,000100% Source: Britannica Yearbook, 1997

American Muslims 6 million (The New York Times, Feb. 21, 1989) About 40% Afro-American Not all Muslims are Arabs, Not all Arabs are Muslims

The Basics of Faith Belief in One God (Allah) Belief in Prophethood All the Divine Books as revealed by God to various prophets Angels, Life after Death and the Day of Judgment, Heaven and Hell

Allah – One God Allah is the Arabic name for God used by Muslims of the world as well as Arab Christians. Say: He is God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begets not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him. (The Quran, Surah 112)

Prophets and Scriptures SOME PROPHETS: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Ishaq, Jacob (Israel), Joseph, Benjamin, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Zakareya, John, Jesus, Muhammad. (peace be on them) BOOKS: Torah, Zabur (Psalms), Injeel (Gospel), Quran Belief in ALL prophets of God Source of All Books is God Main Message of all Prophets: Islam

Prophet Muhammad Descendant of Ishmael, the first son of Abraham. Born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in the year 570 C.E. Received first revelation at the age 40 through angel Gabriel. Died in the year 632 C.E, after preaching Islam for 23 years. GEORGE BERNARD SHAW said about him: "He must be called the Saviour of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it much needed peace and happiness." (The Genuine Islam, Singapore, Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936)

Quran: The Holy Book Original intact as given by the Prophet in Arabic 23 Years of Revelations ( C.E.) 114 Chapters; One Chapter, Multiple Revelations Chapter (Surah) names Historic Context matters Verses Explain Verses Commentary needed in the light of Arabic, History, and Sunnah

Forms of Worship Prayers (Salah) Charity (Zakat) Fasting ( Ramadan) Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Prayers (Salah) Five Daily Prayers from Dawn to Late Evening regulate a Muslim’s day Prayers involve ablution, standing, bowing, prostrating, sitting postures Face Kabah, prayers in Arabic as taught by the Prophet. Additional Prayers optional

Charity (Zakat) So establish regular Prayer and give regular Charity; and obey the Apostle; that ye may receive mercy. (The Quran) Required 2.5% charity on yearly savings

Fasting (in Ramadan) O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint. (The Quran) Ramadan is 9th month in Islamic Lunar calendar Daily dawn to sunset fast for 29/30 days (no food or drink) Eidul-Fitr Holiday at the end

Hajj (Pilgrimage) Pilgrimage to Makkah once in life time for able Muslims About 2-3 million Muslims perform Hajj each year from all over the world. Eidul-Adha: the biggest Muslim Holiday

Muslim Students in Your Classroom Ramadan, Eidul-Fitr Eidul-Adha, Hajj Head scarves by Muslim girls Christmas and Halloween are not Muslim religious holidays Dating, Prom are not permitted Sex Education: abstinence out of marriage sex and homosexuality are grave sins

Food O ye who believe! Eat of the good things that We have provided for you, and be grateful to God, if it is Him ye worship. Forbidden: Meat of animals found dead blood the flesh of swine Alcoholic beverages (such as beer and wine) and intoxicants Meat on which name of God is not invoked at time of slaughtering or meat on which some one else’s name is invoked Permitted: food of the People of the Book

MOTHERS The Qur'an elevates kindness to parents (especially mothers) to a status second only to the worship of Allah. Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. (Qur'an 17:23) And We have enjoined on every human being (to be good) to his/her parents: in travail upon travail did his/her mother bear him/her and in years twain was his/her weaning: (hear the command) "Show gratitude to me and to your parents: to Me is (your final) destiny." (Qur'an 31:14)

DAUGHTERS Prophet Muhammad (Peace be on him) said, Whosoever has a daughter and does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favor his son over her, Allah will enter him into Paradise. (Ahmad)

Human Rights in Islam Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "No Arab has any superiority over a non- Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab. Nor does a white man have any superiority over a black man, or the black man any superiority over the white man. You are all the children of Adam, and Adam was created from clay"

Justice in Islam The Holy Quran says: "Do not let your hatred of a people incite you to aggression" (5:2). "And do not let ill-will towards any folk incite you so that you swerve from dealing justly. Be just; that is nearest to heedfulness" (5:8).

Repel Evil with Goodness Nor can goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: Then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate! Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men; for God loves those who do good.

Suicide is a Grave Sin O ye who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities: But let there be amongst you Traffic and trade by mutual good-will: Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily God hath been to you Most Merciful! (Quran, 4:29)

Questions and Answers Surah Al-Fatehah (Chapter 1: The Opening) 1. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 2. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds; 3. Most Gracious, Most Merciful; 4. Master of the Day of Judgment. 5. Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek. 6. Show us the straight way, 7. The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.