ISLAMSubmission to the one God

ISLAM Began in the 7th Century - 1.2 billion

followers

Second largest world religion, and fastest growing

Plays a major role in world affairs, making it important to gain a proper understanding of it

ISLAM “Surrender” or “Submission”

Monotheistic; “Allah”- The God

Islam: Submission of every moment of one’s life to Allah

“Muslim” means “one who submits”

THE FOUNDATIONS OF ISLAM Qur’an – the primary sacred text of Islam

The Prophet Muhammad (~570-632)

The primary teachings – from the Qur’an and the life of Muhammad (the Sunna)

The Muslim community or Umma

ISLAM VS. CHRISTIANITY Share many elements – for example,

one God, the figures of Abraham, Moses, Jesus

Abba vs. Allah Dr. Scott Hahn’s Blasphemy with Breakfast

THE STORY OF NOAH Questions Answers from

the Qur’an (handout)

Answers from the Bible (Gen 6:5-9:17)

Who is Noah? What is God’s command to him? Why is humanity punished? What are Noah’s feelings? How does the destruction occur? Who survives?

QUR’AN “Recitation”

Ultimate authority and divine in nature

Offers a system of faithful living or way of life: Pious devotion (faith) and; Moral behavior (actions)

Consists of 114 Surahs (Chapters)

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD Born in Mecca (Saudi Arabia) around

570 AD

Mecca – Ka’ba: the ancient shrine traditionally associated Abraham

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD Orphaned at a young age, raised by an

uncle

Enjoyed comfortable social status

Married a wealthy widow at age 24

Became a prosperous merchant

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD Age 40 – Summoned by God to become

a prophet

Proclaim the word of the supreme and single God, Allah

Slowly, Islam gained influence

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD 622 – Muhammad moved to Yathrib

(Medina – “City of the Prophet”)

Quickly rose as a leader and instituted Islam

In 630, Medina overtook Mecca (and the Ka’ba), resulting in the growth of Islam

632 – Muhammad dies in Medina

FIVE PILLARS Qur’an outlines 5 obligations essential

to lives of Muslims

1 - Confession of one’s faith in God and in his prophet Muhammad Basis for Islamic culture

FIVE PILLARS 2 – Ritual Worship

Formal periods of worship 5 times a day Consists of recitations and petitions

directed toward the city of Mecca and the Ka’ba

FIVE PILLARS 3 – Almsgiving

A “purification” tax on property for the benefit of the poor

Fixed amount, usually about 2.5% of one’s wealth

FIVE PILLARS 4 – Fasting

Observed during the holy month of Ramadan,the ninth month of the Muslim year

Refrain from eating/drinking from dawn to sunset

5 – Pilgrimage: Hajj Every Muslim capable is expected to travel

to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.