Islam

History
To Muslims, Islam is the natural religion. Islam was the religion of Adam, Abraham, Moses, David,
and Jesus. Muslim is what everyone would be if each were left to his or her own natural
inclinations. Islam begins with the Prophet Muhammad. Born in 570 A.D. near Mecca in Arabia, he
was orphaned early and was passed between relatives during his early years. As a gifted
administrator, he was employed as a camel caravan organizer by a wealthy widow named Khadija.
Though fifteen years his senior, he would later marry her.
At the age of forty, while meditating in a cave outside of Mecca, he encountered an angel who called
himself Gabriel and who forced him to recite specific pronouncements, which marked the
beginning point of the Quran (which means recitation), Islams sacred scriptures. These
Recitations were unpopular at first because they condemned polytheism, materialism, and
immorality. Muhammad warned that the judgment of Allah the One True God would fall upon
the people if they did not turn from their immorality and worship Allah alone. Few were interested.
Persecution broke out against Muhammad and his followers to such an extent that by 622 he and
his followers (about 100 families) were forced to move to a neighboring town called Yathrib
(known today as Medina). This journey is called the Hijra, and it is from this point that Muslims
begin their calendar.
In Medina, Muhammad developed a devoted following and united the tribes of Arabia. In 628 he
returned to Mecca and after several successful sieges and military victories against Mecca, and
following making treaties with the Quraysh tribe, Muhammad and his army took control of Mecca in
630 without a further struggle. He subsequently burned the pagan idols in the shrine known as
Kaba (a cubical structure that, at the time of Muhammed, contained 360 deities worshiped by the
Arabian tribes). After its cleansing, this shrine became the central worship location for the worlds
Muslims. Eventually he would unify all the tribes of the Arabian Peninsula under the religion of
Islam. On June 8, 632, Muhammed died.
Sects of Islam
Upon Muhammads death there was controversy concerning a successor. One group favored
appointing Ali, Muhammads designated heir. This group became known as the party of Ali (in
Arabic the Shiat Ali), known today as the Shiites, who constitute approximately 12 percent of
Muslims.
The majority, however, felt that the most qualified person should lead regardless of heritage. This
group was named for its belief that the path stablished by Muhammad should be maintained.
These Sunnis prevailed, and Muhammads first successor was Abu Bakr, his uncle and father of his
favorite wife Aisha. Sunnis now comprise around 85% of the worlds Muslim population.
Sufism is the mystical third wing of Islam. The goal of the Sufi is to renounce worldly attachments
and experience God personally through mystic communal practices.
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Beliefs
The term Islam means submission to the will of God, and the person who submits is called a
Muslim.
God. The central doctrine of Islam is that God is one and no partner is to be associated with Him. To
associate a partner with God is to commit the sin of shirk, for which there is not forgiveness.
Because of this, the doctrine of the Trinity is offensive to Muslims. Allah is the creator of all things.
He is absolutely sovereign over the affairs of all humans. He is loving to those who love him. He is
merciful toward those who exercise compassion toward others.
Angels. In the gap between God and humans exists a hierarchy of angels. The archangel Gabriel is of
the highest rank, succeeded by the rest of angels. Each person has two angels assigned to him or
her, one to record the persons good deeds and the other to record the bad deeds.
The Day of Judgment. There will be a day when all will stand before God in judgment. On that day,
each persons deeds will be weighed in the balance. Those whose good deeds outweigh their bad
deeds will be rewarded with Paradise; and those whose bad deeds outweigh their good will be
judged to hell. Whether ones good deeds outweigh ones bad deeds is a subjective matter known
only by God. As a result, a Muslim has no assurance that he or she will be accepted by God.
Practices (The Five Pillars)
Testify. The Arabic word shahadah means to bear witness. When reciting it, one says I bear
witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger. Saying it with
sincerity is all it takes to become a Muslim. The first phrase is a declaration of absolute
monotheism; an adamant refusal to practice any form of idolatry. The second phrase is an
acknowledgement that Muhammad was a true prophet, and his life is to be a model for all.
To Pray (Salat). A Muslim has five times of prayer per day dawn, noon, midafternoon, dusk, and
two hours after sunset. Muslims pray either individually or in a group. They must wash themselves
in a prescribed manner before praying. When they pray, they must face toward Mecca. The noon
service on Friday is the only time when Muslims are expected to gather together at the mosque.
Fast. In commemoration of Muhammads receiving the Quran during the ninth lunar month of
Ramadan, Muslims are expected to fast during the daylight hours that month. During the fast, they
must abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations. After sundown, Muslims are
allowed to partake of all those things again until sunrise.
To Give Alms. Muslims are commanded to give one-fortieth (2.5%) of their income primarily to the
poor and needy.
To Make Pilgrimage (Hajj). Every Muslim must make the trip to Mecca at least once during his or
her lifetime, provided he or she is able with respect to health and finances. Each pilgrim wears a
white garment which is to have the effect of eliminating all class or status distinctions during the
Hajj. Circling the Kaba seven times and then proceeding to visit several sacred sites in and around
Mecca. After the pilgrimage, the pilgrim is entitled to be referred to as a Hajj.
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