2. Islam
“No part of the world is more hopelessly and systematically and stubbornly misunderstood by us than the complex of religion , culture and geography known as Islam.”
The World’s Religions, Huston Smith; page 221

3. Islam basics “the Chosen people,” and “the Faithful people. ” Muhammad
571 AD in Mecca, Arabia
Holy Book: The Quran (Koran)
Founder: Muhammad Ibn Adbellah
Born: 571 AD in Mecca. In this year an Ethiopian leader called Abraha (Abraham) attacked Mecca using elephants as armored vehicles
Nicknames: Almustapha (the chosen), Alamin (the faithful)
Titles: The prophet, the messenger (Alrasul)
Tribe: Quraiysh
Descendant of Abraham
Holy Book is the Quran, derived from the Arabic root ‘read’

4. Do you remember the tree that they describe all three religions sitting in in 30 days?
What’s this? This? This?
I’m not sure why the cross isn’t used …?

5. Islam is a Monotheistic Religion
“Surrender”, related to ‘salaam’, or peace.
Islam is also a code for social conduct
Quran, testament of Muhammad
Hadiths, “sayings” (philosophy) by Muhammad
Middle-Eastern origin of all monotheistic faiths
Judaism (in Palestine) reformed old Egyptian monotheism, Christianity (in Palestine) reformed Judaism, and Islam reformed both Judaism and Christianity

6. Islam The peace that comes when one’s life is surrendered to God
Goal is to surrender your life to God
Those who adhere to this are Muslims

7. History
The story is the same as with Judaism and Christianity through Abraham: Adam and Eve, Noah, Sherm, Abraham.
Page : The World’s Religions

8. The Qu’ran AKA: The Koran, The Quran
Islam’s holy book- generally read literally
God’s word inspired to his messenger
Written in Arabic
114 Chapters = Surah
4 to over 200 verses (= Aiyah) in each chapter
Many similar stories from Jewish and Christian accounts
Allah is the word for God
One and only one God
Word of god inspired by a messenger – sound like?

9. Islam Allah created the heavens and earth
Allah created humans and their fundamental nature is good
Life is a gift from Allah

10. Obligations to Allah
Gratitude for life
Surrender to Allah

11. Day of Judgment Each soul is individual and everlasting
Depending on how it fares in life, the soul goes to heaven or hell

12. Note that Jihad is not one of 5 pillars
The 'Five Pillars' of Islam
Shahada: The declaration of faith:
"There is no deity but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God"
Prayer:
Five obligatory prayers each day toward Mecca
No hierarchical authority or priesthood
. Zakat:
Obligatory charitable giving
Wealth belong to God and it is held in trust by humans.
Fasting:
From sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan
Hajj:
A pilgrimage to Mecca, Arabia
Note that Jihad is not one of 5 pillars
Faith:
Emphasize God (not Allah)
Prayer:
Facing Jerusalem (Alquds or Beit-elmaqdis) till 629, then facing Mecca
Ablution or wash: One should wash and clean his/her body before prayer
No priesthood or mass service. Imam serves no function during prayer. Direct link between the person who pray and God
Zakat
The only ‘No excuse’ pillar
Fasting
I fasted

13. Taboos Eating Pork Stealing Gambling Sexual Promiscuity Lying
Drinking Alcohol
WHAT IS A TABOO?
Halal is an Arabic word meaning lawful or permitted.
The opposite of halal is haram, which means unlawful or prohibited. halal and haram are apply to all facets of life.
Meat from swine - pork, ham, bacon, etc
Pork-based products and by-products - sausages, gelatine ( marshmallows, jelly, jell-o
Animals improperly slaughtered, or already dead before slaughtering is due to take place
Intoxicants – drugs and alcohol
Most carnivorous animals, birds of prey and land animals without external ears (i.e., snakes, reptiles, worms, insects etc.)
Blood and blood by-products
Why would some of these be taboos?
Have you seen House of Sand and Fog?

14. The division of Islam
Two groups: Sunni and Shia- fundamental agreement
Sunni: After death of Muhammad, new leader should be elected as one who is most capable.
Shia: After death of Muhammad, new leader should come from family of Muhammad. They follow the line of Imams that they believe were appointed by Muhammad or by God
As in most major religions such as Christianity, Hinduism, and Judaism, Islam is divided into groups, what Christians call denominations .
("well-trodden path") and the next largest group is the Shi'ah.
share the most fundamental Islamic beliefs and articles of faith. The differences between these two main sub-groups within Islam initially stemmed not from spiritual differences, but political ones
After the death of Muhammed the question of who was to take over the leadership of the Muslim nation.
Sunni Muslims agree with the position taken by many of the Prophet's companions, that the new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job.
The Shia Muslims believe that following the Prophet Muhammad's death, leadership should have passed directly to his cousin/son-in-law, Ali. Throughout history, Shia Muslims have not recognized the authority of elected Muslim leaders, choosing instead to follow a line of Imams which they believe have been appointed by the Prophet Muhammad or God Himself.

15. Division of Islam