An honest and concise look at what is really behind the fastest growing religion in the world today. ISLAM: “The Creed of the Prophets” In the Name of Allah, the All Compassionate, the Most Merciful

The Absolute Need for Outreach  Surge in demand for ‘Islam Explained’ after 9/11  Qurans reported ‘Sold Out’ on popular bookseller websites  Not enough qualified speakers for Churches and media outlets  Misrepresentation of Islam in the mainstream media  Biased linking of Islamic beliefs with current political events  Self-proclaimed ‘experts’ define Islam inaccurately to non-Muslim audience

What do the words ‘Allah’ and ‘Islam’ mean?  The Arabic word ‘Islam’ means ‘Submission’  To be in a state of Islam is to submit your will to the Will of Allah.  A ‘Muslim’ is the person who is in a state of submission to Allah.  ‘Allah’ is the Arabic word for God, the Originator of all creation.

The Five Pillars of Islam: Shahadah  The first pillar of Islam is the Shahadah  “I bear witness that none deserves worship but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.”  “He is Allah, there is no god but He. The Knower of the Seen and the Unseen, He is the All Compassionate, the Most Merciful.” Quran 59:22

The Five Pillars of Islam: Prayer  The second pillar of Islam is Prayer  5 prayers every day between fixed times  “O mankind, worship your Lord, He Who created you and those who came before you – so that you become conscious of Allah.” Quran 2:21

The Five Pillars of Islam: Fasting  The third pillar of Islam is Fasting  From sunrise to sunset for every day in the month of Ramadan.  “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you – just as it was prescribed for those who came before you” Quran 2:183

The Five Pillars of Islam: Zakaat  The fourth pillar of Islam is Zakaat  2.5% of wealth paid once every year in charity  “O you who believe, spend from what We have given you before a Day comes when no negotiating (will help), no friendship (will benefit), and no intercession (will be accepted)” Quran 2:254

The Five Pillars of Islam: Hajj  The fifth pillar of Islam is Hajj  Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime if financially affordable  “Pilgrimage to the House is a duty mankind owes to Allah, those able to undertake the journey – but if any disbelieves, then Allah is not in need of his creation. ” Quran 3:97

The Six Articles of Belief  Allah  Angels  Revealed Books  Prophets  Day of Judgment  Decree of Allah

Important Islamic Prohibitions  Forced Conversions – “Let there be no compulsion in Religion: Truth stands out clear from Error.” Quran 2:256  Mocking the deities of other faiths – “Do not revile those whom they invoke besides Allah.” Quran 6:108  Targeting non-combatants in war – Narrated Ibn Umar : “The Prophet forbade killing women and children.” Saheeh Muslim, 4320.

The Promise of Reward to the Righteous  “Those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians – anyone who believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good deeds, shall have their reward with their Lord. Upon them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” Quran 2:62

An Example of Selective Belief in the Prophets  “O you who believe, become helpers in the cause of Allah, just as Jesus the Son of Mary said to the Disciples, “Who will be my Helpers in the cause of Allah?” Then a group of the Children of Israel believed and a group disbelieved. But we fortified those who believed against their enemies, and thus they (eventually) became the victorious.” Quran 61:14

Obligation to Believe in all of Allah’s Prophets  “Those who deny Allah and His Messengers, and wish to separate Allah from His Messengers, saying “We believe in some but reject others” and seek to choose a way in between – they are in truth disbelievers; and We have prepared for disbelievers a humiliating punishment.” Quran 4:

Islamic View on Jews and Christians  Both Judaism and Christianity in their pure forms were valid in their own era. Both the Old and the New Testament in their original, unchanged form are revelations from Allah.  Exodus: “I am the Lord thy God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make yourself an image, whether in the form of anything in the sky above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water below the earth. You shall not bow down to them nor worship them.”  Shahadah: “There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”

Discussions with Jews and Christians  Jews, Christians, and Muslims believe in and worship the same God. Allah is the Source of the Jewish and Christian books, hence they are called ‘the People of the Book’.  “And do not dispute with the People of the Book, but in the best way – except against those who inflict injustice. And say, “We believe in that which has been revealed to us and in that revealed unto you, and our God and your God is One, and to Him we submit (in Islam).””

An Invitation to the People of the Book  Coming together in belief requires a return to the fundamentals.  “Say, “O people of the Book, come to a common word between us and you: that we worship none but Allah, and that we do not set up any equals with Him, and that none of us shall take any as lords besides Allah.” Then if they turn away, say, “We bear witness that we are Muslims.”” Quran 3:64

The Sequence of Revelation Concludes  Islam is not a new ideology, rather it is the completion of a series of revelations from Allah to His Prophets for the guidance of mankind.  “This day I have perfected your religion for you, and have completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” Quran 5:3  “And whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him – and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” Quran 3:85  “In truth, religion with Allah is Islam.” Quran 3:19