Islam
Origin of Islam:
Most religious historians view Islam as having been founded in 622 CE by Muhammad the Prophet. He lived from about 570 to 632 CE. The religion started in Mecca, when the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) read the first revelation to Muhammad. Islam is seen as the youngest of the world's great religions.
However, many if not most of the followers of Islam believe that: Islam existed before Muhammad was born; the origins of Islam date back to the creation of the world; and Muhammad was the last of a series of Prophets.
Followers of Islam are called Muslims. "Muslim" is an Arabic word that refers to a person who submits themselves to the Will of God. "Allah" is an Arabic word which means "the One True God."
About Muhammad:
At the age of 40, (610 CE), he was visited in Mecca by the angel Gabriel. He developed the conviction that he had been ordained a Prophet and given the task of converting his countrymen from their pagan, polytheistic beliefs and what he regarded as moral decadence, idolatry, hedonism and materialism. He met considerable opposition to his teachings. In 622 CE he moved north to Medina due to increasing persecution. Here he was disappointed by the rejection of his message by the Jews. Through religious discussion, persuasion, military activity and political negotiation, Muhammad became the most powerful leader in Arabia, and Islam was firmly established throughout the area.
About Islam:
Many do not look upon Islam as a new religion. They feel that it is in reality the faith taught by the ancient Prophets, Abraham, David, Moses and Jesus. Muhammad's role as the last of the Prophets was to formalize and clarify the faith and to purify it by removing foreign ideas that had been added in error.
At a level of 1.2 billion, they represent about 22% of the world's population. They are the second largest religion in the world; Christianity has 33%
Important Texts:
There are two main texts consulted by Muslims: the Qur'an and the Hadith. The Qur'an are the words of God. This was originally in oral and written form; they were later assembled together into a single book, the Qur'an. The Hadith are collections of the sayings of Muhammad. They are regarded as an excellent guide for living.
Muslim Beliefs and Practices:
A Muslim's duties as described in the Five Pillars of Islam are:
Common beliefs are: strict monotheism. God is the creator, is just, omnipotent and merciful; respect for earlier prophets and belief in their teachings: Abraham, Moses and Jesus; that Muhammad is the last of the prophets; belief in the existence of Satan who drives people to sin; that Muslims who sincerely repent and submit to God return to a state of sinlessness; belief in paradise and hell; rejection of racism; and avoid the use of alcohol, other drugs, eating of pork, gambling etc.
Understanding of Jesus within Islam and Christianity:
Traditional Christians and Muslims have certain beliefs in common concerning Jesus. They both accept that: His birth was miraculous; He was the Messiah; He cured people of illness; and He restored dead people to life.
However, they differ from Christians in a number of major areas. Muslims do not believe in original sin (that everyone inherits a sinful nature because of Adam and Eve's transgression) or that Jesus was killed during his crucifixion. Muslims believe that he escaped being executed, and later reappeared to his disciples without having first died. They do not believe that Jesus was resurrected (or resurrected himself) circa 30 CE or salvation is dependent either upon belief in the resurrection of Jesus (as in Paul's writings). They disagree with the belief that Jesus is the Son of God (as in the Gospel of John).
Islamic Websites
The Way to Truth
Islamic Societies
Understanding Islam
Origin of Islam:
Most religious historians view Islam as having been founded in 622 CE by Muhammad the Prophet. He lived from about 570 to 632 CE. The religion started in Mecca, when the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) read the first revelation to Muhammad. Islam is seen as the youngest of the world's great religions.
However, many if not most of the followers of Islam believe that: Islam existed before Muhammad was born; the origins of Islam date back to the creation of the world; and Muhammad was the last of a series of Prophets.
Followers of Islam are called Muslims. "Muslim" is an Arabic word that refers to a person who submits themselves to the Will of God. "Allah" is an Arabic word which means "the One True God."
About Muhammad:
At the age of 40, (610 CE), he was visited in Mecca by the angel Gabriel. He developed the conviction that he had been ordained a Prophet and given the task of converting his countrymen from their pagan, polytheistic beliefs and what he regarded as moral decadence, idolatry, hedonism and materialism. He met considerable opposition to his teachings. In 622 CE he moved north to Medina due to increasing persecution. Here he was disappointed by the rejection of his message by the Jews. Through religious discussion, persuasion, military activity and political negotiation, Muhammad became the most powerful leader in Arabia, and Islam was firmly established throughout the area.
About Islam:
Many do not look upon Islam as a new religion. They feel that it is in reality the faith taught by the ancient Prophets, Abraham, David, Moses and Jesus. Muhammad's role as the last of the Prophets was to formalize and clarify the faith and to purify it by removing foreign ideas that had been added in error.
At a level of 1.2 billion, they represent about 22% of the world's population. They are the second largest religion in the world; Christianity has 33%
Important Texts:
There are two main texts consulted by Muslims: the Qur'an and the Hadith. The Qur'an are the words of God. This was originally in oral and written form; they were later assembled together into a single book, the Qur'an. The Hadith are collections of the sayings of Muhammad. They are regarded as an excellent guide for living.
Muslim Beliefs and Practices:
A Muslim's duties as described in the Five Pillars of Islam are:
- to recite at least once during their lifetime the shahadah (the creed: "There is no God but God and Muhammad is his Prophet"). Most Muslims repeat it at least daily.
- to perform the salat (prayer) 5 times a day. This is recited while orienting one's body towards Mecca. It is done in the morning, at noon, mid-afternoon, after sunset and just before sleeping.
- to donate regularly to charity through zakat, a 2.5% charity tax, and through additional donations to the needy as the individual believer feels moved.
- to fast during the month of Ramadan. This is believed to be the month that Muhammad received the first revelation of the Qur'an from God.
- if economically and physically able, to make at least one hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca.
Common beliefs are: strict monotheism. God is the creator, is just, omnipotent and merciful; respect for earlier prophets and belief in their teachings: Abraham, Moses and Jesus; that Muhammad is the last of the prophets; belief in the existence of Satan who drives people to sin; that Muslims who sincerely repent and submit to God return to a state of sinlessness; belief in paradise and hell; rejection of racism; and avoid the use of alcohol, other drugs, eating of pork, gambling etc.
Understanding of Jesus within Islam and Christianity:
Traditional Christians and Muslims have certain beliefs in common concerning Jesus. They both accept that: His birth was miraculous; He was the Messiah; He cured people of illness; and He restored dead people to life.
However, they differ from Christians in a number of major areas. Muslims do not believe in original sin (that everyone inherits a sinful nature because of Adam and Eve's transgression) or that Jesus was killed during his crucifixion. Muslims believe that he escaped being executed, and later reappeared to his disciples without having first died. They do not believe that Jesus was resurrected (or resurrected himself) circa 30 CE or salvation is dependent either upon belief in the resurrection of Jesus (as in Paul's writings). They disagree with the belief that Jesus is the Son of God (as in the Gospel of John).
Islamic Websites
The Way to Truth
Islamic Societies
Understanding Islam