1. Intro to Islam

3. The heart of Islam Islam = “surrender” or “submission”
Wholehearted surrender to God
Muslim and Islam come from words for peace
Islam can be seen as a family of believers
The Qur’an says “the believers are a band of brothers”

4. Belief in God God is all-powerful, all knowing, controlling creator
Monotheistic and Abrahamic (cousin to Judaism and Christianity)
“Allah” refers to God but is not “his” name
Literally means “the god”

5. Allah Allah/God has 99 names
The Merciful
The Just
The Compassionate, etc.
The Qur’an describes Allah as personal and caring and all powerful
No gender, but generally referred to as a male
Images of Allah or Muhammad (at least the face) are not looked highly upon (never FORBIDDEN in Qur’an, but a religious rule says it is idolatry)

7. God in Everyday Life Omnipresent Frequent phrase in conversation:
“If God wills”
People are called to prayer 5 times a day by a caller – Muezzin

8. Prophets God has historically spoken through many prophets
Abraham, Moses, Jesus
Jesus is not seen as divine
Islam sees Christianity and Judaism as contaminating God’s true word with human misunderstandings

9. Muhammad
Muhammad is believed to be the prophet to speak the true, pure, divine messages of God
“Influenced” by Judaism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism
Muslims hold that Muhammad’s writings came directly from God

10. World View Good and evil forces are constantly weighing on us
Our choices can have serious consequences
Religion is seen to help bring morality to humans; to regulate human life for our own safe keeping

11. Reading and Film on Muhammad
Read the passage about Muhammad
1. Make a timeline in your notes emphasizing key points in his life
2. Answer: How are Jesus and Muhammad similar? Different?
Film: “Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet”