Lesson 10: Learning About World Religious: Islam

• The foundation of the Five Pillars of Islam


  Qur'an and the Sunnah
• Similarities between Christianity, Islam and Judaism:


  • monotheistic
  • scriptures feature Adam, Noah, and Moses
  • trace their origins to Abraham
• Muslims consider Jews and Christians to be


  "People of the Book"
• Muslims believed that God revealed messages to Moses, Jesus, and others that were compiled into


  holy books
• The Koran contains God's final revelations to humanity.


  Muslims believed that its messages reveal how God wanted his followers to act and worship.
• Islam is the world's 


  second largest religion
• Qur'an


  the holy book of the religion of Islam
• Ummah


  the single Islamic community made up of Muslims
• Sunnah


  the example that Muhammad set for Muslims about how to live
• Five Pillars of Islam


  the most basic acts of worship for Muslims: declaration of faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and making a pilgrimage to Mecca
• God describes his laws and moral teachings ("straight path") through the


  Koran
• reports or tradition


  hadith
• Hadith about the prophet 300 years after his death provided


  written evidence of Muhammad's Sunnah through his own words and deeds
• An official edition of the Koran was established by Uthman and has been largely


  unchanged since
• "There is no god but God" (Shahadah)


  pronounces monotheism
• "...and Muhammad is the messenger of God" (Shahadah)


  identifies Muhammad
• Shahadah


  the first pillar of Islam, the profession or declaration of faith
• Meaning of Shahadah:


  people not only believe in God, but also pledge their submission to him
• To enter into Islam, a person must pronounce the Shahadah aloud in the presence of


  two Muslim witnesses
• The call to prayer includes the recitation of the Shahadah in


  mosques
• Angels:


  • created by God to do work throughout the universe
  • reveal themselves to prophets
  • observe and record the deeds of each human being
• Muslims believe all souls will face a

  day of judgement
• Salat


  the daily ritual prayer
• Muslims congregate to pray in a 


  mosque
• The muezzin chants the call to prayer 


  five times a day
• While praying, Muslims turn to face the qiblah


  in the direction of the Ka'bah
• Allahu akbar


  "God is Great"
• Salat emphasizes:


  • religious discipline
  • spirituality
  • closeness to God
• Prayer rituals:


  1. ritual washings to create a sense of purification
  2. form lines behind the prayer leader, Imam, in the prayer area
  3. worshippers face the qiblah
  4. Imam begins prayer cycle
  5. worshippers recite verses from the Qur'an and kneel before God
• While praying at the mosque is preferable, Muslims may worship


  anywhere facing the direction of the Ka'bah
• Unlike Christians and Jews, Muslims do not have a 


  sabbath/day of rest
• Zakat


  charity & purification
• Purpose of Zakat


  • wealth becomes pure by giving some of it away
  • sharing wealth helps control greed
  • reminds people of God's gifts
• Of their surplus each year, Muslims must share


  2.5% of it with their poorer neighbors
• The necessities Zakat takes care of:


  • constructing public fountains (clean water)
  • inns
  • soup kitchens, clothing, and shelter for the poor
  • supports orphanages and hospitals
  • funds to pay off debts
  • aid to stranded travelers
  • school fees
• Actions Muslims took during Ramadan:


  • read the entire Koran
  • strive to forgive people and be thankful
  • fast from sunrise to sunset (break fast at sunset)
• Siyam


  fasting during Ramadan
• The teachings and encouragement of Ramadan:


  • generosity, equality, charity within the Muslim community
  • self-control
  • deeper understanding of hunger and poverty
• What was known as the "Night of Power" which worshippers seeked because it was equal to a thousand years of devotion?


  Gabriel's first visit to Muhammad during one of the last ten odd-numbered nights of Ramadan.
• Ramadan


  the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims are required to fast