What Is Islam

Lesson 1: ISLAM & MUSLIMS … Continued from the previous week

What is “ISLAM” ? Structure of Islam ISLAM = Organizing life Fulfilling the RIGHTS of all with whom/with which one interacts

God Faith & Worship Inward Aspects -

Faith (Iman)) Sincerity (Ikhlas ) God-consciousness (Taqwa) Complete Trust (Tawakkul )

Humans

Creatures

Self

Personal Developmen Social Interaction Environmental Care Parents Relatives

Animals Plants

Inner Self -

Morals Manners Shunning evil inclinations Cultivating good conduct

-

Outer Self Cleanliness /Hygiene Proper dress Proper food & drinks Acquiring knowledge / education Earning livelihood

Neighbors -

Outward Aspects Prayers (Salah) supplication (dua, dhikr , istighfaar) Charity (Zakah), ( (sadaqa) Fasting (Sawm) Pilgrimage (Hajj) (

Inanimates

Muslims Non-Muslims

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WHAT IS Some other perspectives: “ISLAM”? A COURSE A Course in self-management and in interpersonal conduct, focusing all the while on responding to God’s presence and submitting to His guidance, thereby attaining peace and fulfillment in life, and making clear the meaning to our existence in this world.

USAGE OF THE

TERM:

“ISLAM” ISLAM refers to a historically recognized religion starting from the time of Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) .

As commonly understood

In In the Islamic sense (The Qur’anic usage) In a generic sense

s The term ISLAM is used with its functional meaning in an abstract sense . It is not limited a specific senseby time and place. s Thus, it refers to the religion of all prophets of GOD and their followers , throughout the history, all over the world . s ISLAM from the time of Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) refers to its last phase.

USAGE OF THE

TERM:

“ISLAM” As commonly understoodIn In a specific sense

In the Islamic / Qur'anic usage

ISLAM refers to a historically recognized religion astarting generic from sense the time of Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) .

s The term ISLAM is used with its functional meaning in an abstract sense . It is not limited by time and place. s Thus, it refers to the religion of all prophets of GOD and their followers , throughout the history, all over the world . s ISLAM from the time of Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) refers to its last phase.

ISLAM: NOT A NEW RELIGION God is one. s Mankind , as a biologic species is one; the basic nature of man is the same. s

s Accordingly, - God’s message, or His guidance to mankind, has to be the same. - The religion from the same God is expected to bethe one and the

same.

ISLAM: NOT A NEW RELIGION Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) was NOT the ‘founder’ of Islam Islam was not founded or started by him: - He did not claim to be the founder of a religion - The Qur’an does not indicate so

On the contrary, the Qur’an asserts that ISLAM - was the religion of all the previous Prophets of God - is the original religion for mankind prescribed by God.

ISLAM: NOT A NEW RELIGION

َ‫سحَاقَ وَيَ ْعقُوبَ وَالسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِي‬ ْ ِ‫ل إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنْ ِزلَ ِإلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ َوإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإ‬ َ ‫قُولُوا آمَنّا بِالِّ وَمَا أُنْ ِز‬ َ‫سلِمُون‬ ْ ُ‫ن َأحَدٍ مِنْهُمْ وَ َنحْنُ لَهُ م‬ َ ْ‫ي النّبِيّونَ مِنْ رَبّهِمْ ل نُفَرّقُ بَي‬ َ ِ‫مُوسَى وَعِيسَى وَمَا أُوت‬

Say: ‘ We believe in God, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants, and that which was given to Moses, Jesus, and all the other prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and it is unto Him we have surrendered ourselves. (2:136) َ‫ع لَكُمْ مِنَ الدّينِ مَا َوصّى بِهِ نُوحًا وَالّذِي أَ ْوحَيْنَا ِإلَ ْيكَ وَمَا وَصّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى أَنْ َأقِيمُوا الدّين‬ َ َ‫شَر‬ He has ordained for you that deen (religion or way of life) which He had enjoined upon Noah – into which We gave thee [O Mohammed] insight through revelation – and that which We enjoined upon Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: you should remain steadfast in religion and make no divisions therein… (42:13)

ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE OF

OTHER MAJOR RELIGIONS The major world religions of today are STAGES /

LINKS to the same original religion for mankind: “SUBMISSION TO GOD’S WILL” – ISLAM God has sent Prophets and Messengers to every nation in the world throughout history… The Qurán To every people [was sent] a messenger. …(10:47) Of some messengers We have already mentioned unto you, of others We have not. … (4:164)

ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE OF

OTHER MAJOR RELIGIONS The present day major religions Originally, ISLAM (-- in its functional/generic sense), But with passage of time, they lost their purity - to different degrees, - at different places, and were identified - with different names.

Still, we can find some striking similarities in the teachings of these religions.

ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE OF

OTHER MAJOR RELIGIONS

– They were identified with different NAMES due to various historical factors.

– These names bear no religious sanctity. -- Neither given by GOD, nor by the so called “founders” -- Rather given by people outside that Faith -- At a later time -- Derived after the name of a person (‘founder’?), a tribe, or a place, etc.

ISLAM: BEFORE PROPHET MOHAMMED (pbuh) ―The ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE As regards the basics and essentials : No difference . Basics and essentials • Beliefs : Belief in One True God, in His Prophets and in their Messages , in the life after death , Day of Judgment, reward and punishment (heaven & hell), in the angels , etc. • Practices : Worship of One True God alone , living a life of goodness and peace , moral values , etc.

As regards certain legal codes : some minor differences This is because : •

The needs and the stages of development of the society and civilization varied with time and place , and

• The Prophets earlier to Mohammed (pbuh) were local , for their own people ; i.e., they were not sent for the whole world and for all times .

ISLAM: AFTER PROPHET MOHAMMED (pbuh) ―The ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

Islam as preached by Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) : ► In its FINAL stage Thus,

► The final Divine Message (the Last Testament) preserved intact ► Available to all in its original, uncorrupted, and complete form.

ISLAM: AFTER PROPHET MOHAMMED (pbuh) ―The ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

The role of Islam from the time of Prophet Mohammed (pbuh):

- Corrective - Restorative - Culminative NOT

- Innovative - Competitive

ISLAM: BEFORE PROPHET MOHAMMED (pbuh) ―The ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but was one who turned away from all that is false, and surrendered himself unto God. (3:67) Noah addressed his people saying: ‘... I have been commanded to be one of those who submit to God’s will [in Islam].’ (10:72) The sons of Jacob replying to him said: ‘We shall worship your God and the God of your fathers – Abraham and Ishmael, and Isaac – the One God; to Him we bow [in Islam]’. (2:133)

ISLAM: BEFORE PROPHET MOHAMMED (pbuh) ―The ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

Some statements of Jesus (pbuh): Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. (Matthew 12:50) I can do nothing on my own. As I hear I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek to do not my own will, but the will of Him who sent me. (John 5:30) ... There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matthew 19:17)

ISLAM: BEFORE PROPHET MOHAMMED (pbuh) ―The ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

The role of every Prophet/Messenger of God, including Jesus (pbuh)  Corrective, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law, or the prophets; I reformative have come not to abolish, but to fulfill.” (Matthew 5:17)

I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Matthew 15:24)

The son of man is come to seek and save that which is lost. (Luke 19:10)

SOME UNIQUE FEATURES OF ISLAM

ISLAM ITS NAME (already discussed)

ITS SOURCES

ITS TEACHINGS

ITS RELEVANCE

The

Name: “ISLAM”

1. DESCRIPTIVE Explains functionality of the religion & its outlook on life name 2. GOD-GIVEN Indicates that ISLAM is a religion name prescribed by God 3. Name with NO ATTACHMENTS

Indicates that ISLAM is for all mankind – it’s universal

4. Name with NO TIME BOUNDARIES

Indicates the presence and validity of ISLAM across all times

5. Name with FOCUS ON GOD ALONE

Indicates that ISLAM is the true religion of God

SOURCES OF TEACHINHS The sources are clearly sorted out and prioritized Its Basic

according to their importance and validity

•    •

The first fundamental source of teachings: The revealed words of God, unmixed with words of any human, available in one Book – the Qur’an [in one version in the Arabic language] The next fundamental source of teachings: The sayings, actions and teachings of the Prophet, authenticated and recorded in several books [of Hadith]

• The other sources that follow: These include the works of scholars and historians available in separate collections.

SOURCES OF TEACHINHS

Its Basic

The Qur’an is unique : Literary style & eloquence • 

    •Preservation     ­  During the life time of Prophet      ­  Intact, complete

•   Transmission  across generations

    ­  By memorization  +  writing     ­  Original language      ­   In a living language 

• No contradictions in the text  

The Prophet is unique : Historical figure, no myths • 

• 

  Complete Record

of his - life - teachings

 historically documented with care

• Unlettered,

yet     ­  The Qurán as literary challenge     ­   A living miracle 

Its TEACHINHS

•    Simple & straightforward  •    Clearly defined concepts, undistorted over time  •   Comprehensive guidance, suitable to all     cultures, races and stations in life 

•   No conflict with reason, knowledge, technology  •  Equality & brotherhood of mankind

Its APPLICATION to

LIFE

•    Applied to every activity; a complete way of life  •    Practicable standards of life; within reach of all  •   Balanced & moderate approach to life                                             (no extremes)  Balance between: -

This world & the Hereafter (body & soul) Work & worship Faith & reason God’s grace & human responsibilty

Its GROWTH

•    With remarkable speed and geographical extent  •    Practicable standards of life; within reach of all  •   Balanced & moderate approach to life                                             (no extremes)  Balance between: -

This world & the Hereafter (body & soul) Work & worship Faith & reason God’s grace & human responsibility

Distribution of Muslims

THANK YOU