Classifications
Is this religion mono/poly/heno?
Before Islam, people living in the Middle East were known as Arabs, as they are today. Their native language was and still is Arabic. All Arabs share a common history and culture. Arabs before Islam were traders, farmers, nomads, and town-dwellers. They had many regions and worshiped a number of gods. But Abraham was the first to ever become the a monotheistic believer. Which makes Islam monotheistic.
Before Islam, people living in the Middle East were known as Arabs, as they are today. Their native language was and still is Arabic. All Arabs share a common history and culture. Arabs before Islam were traders, farmers, nomads, and town-dwellers. They had many regions and worshiped a number of gods. But Abraham was the first to ever become the a monotheistic believer. Which makes Islam monotheistic.
Founding Story
How did this religion begin?
Muslim history begins with the story of Abraham, a prophet. It is believed that Abraham may have lived between 2100 and 1500 B.C. He is regarded by Muslims and Jews as the father of their people. Abraham is also considered to be the first monotheist. Islam began around A.D. 600. According to the Islamic faith, God sent the angel Gabriel to a man named Muhammad, and ordinary camel driver who lived in the city of Mecca Muhammad was told that he was God's chosen prophet, or messenger. From that day forth, Muhammad preached the word of God as he received it. These messages were written in the Koran, the sacred book of Islam. In Mecca, Muhammad preached that only one God exists. Mecca, however, was full of idols, or images the people worshiped. The people of Mecca made was bad for business, and the people of Mecca plotted to kill him. In A.D. 622, Muhammad moved from Mecca to the town of Medina. This move by Muhammad was called the hijra and marks the first year of the Islamic calendar. In Medina, Muhammad found many followers, who are called Muslims, and Medina became the first Islamic community. Eight years later, Muhammad conquered Meccas, destroying idols and declaring Mecca holy. To this day, only Muslims are allowed into Mecca.
Muslim history begins with the story of Abraham, a prophet. It is believed that Abraham may have lived between 2100 and 1500 B.C. He is regarded by Muslims and Jews as the father of their people. Abraham is also considered to be the first monotheist. Islam began around A.D. 600. According to the Islamic faith, God sent the angel Gabriel to a man named Muhammad, and ordinary camel driver who lived in the city of Mecca Muhammad was told that he was God's chosen prophet, or messenger. From that day forth, Muhammad preached the word of God as he received it. These messages were written in the Koran, the sacred book of Islam. In Mecca, Muhammad preached that only one God exists. Mecca, however, was full of idols, or images the people worshiped. The people of Mecca made was bad for business, and the people of Mecca plotted to kill him. In A.D. 622, Muhammad moved from Mecca to the town of Medina. This move by Muhammad was called the hijra and marks the first year of the Islamic calendar. In Medina, Muhammad found many followers, who are called Muslims, and Medina became the first Islamic community. Eight years later, Muhammad conquered Meccas, destroying idols and declaring Mecca holy. To this day, only Muslims are allowed into Mecca.
Key Figures
Important people to the story?
The Angel Gabriel visited the Muhammad many times over a period of twenty-three years. Gabriel taught Muhammad the verses and he instructed his scribes to record them. All the revealed verses are compiled in the Qur'ran.
Muhammad
was the last prophet of the religion of Islam. Muhammad shared his new revelations with only his family and close friends. Muhammad is believed to have received instructions from Allah to go public with his message and openly condemn the paganism and idolatry of Mekkah. This open condemnation of idolatry became an economic threat to the prosperity of Mekkah, and as a consequence, organized opposition to Muhammad and Islam began.
The Prophet Ibrahim
was born in 2100 BC. By this time, people go back to worshiping idols. He knows that these idols can't be god, so he breaks them. The people try to burn him for breaking their idols but he is saved by Allah. This restores the peoples faith.
The Prophet Ya'qub was born in 1700 BC, in Egypt. He calls people to Allah. The believers become known as the Banu Isra'il.
The Prophet Isa is born in the year 0. The people have gone back to worshiping idols. His birth is a miracle, since his mother, Maryam, is still a virgin. He can talk while still a baby. Isa is commissioned as a prophet in 30 AD. He commanded by Allah to bring the people onto the right path. He asks the people to obey Allah.
The Angel Gabriel visited the Muhammad many times over a period of twenty-three years. Gabriel taught Muhammad the verses and he instructed his scribes to record them. All the revealed verses are compiled in the Qur'ran.
Muhammad
was the last prophet of the religion of Islam. Muhammad shared his new revelations with only his family and close friends. Muhammad is believed to have received instructions from Allah to go public with his message and openly condemn the paganism and idolatry of Mekkah. This open condemnation of idolatry became an economic threat to the prosperity of Mekkah, and as a consequence, organized opposition to Muhammad and Islam began.
The Prophet Ibrahim
was born in 2100 BC. By this time, people go back to worshiping idols. He knows that these idols can't be god, so he breaks them. The people try to burn him for breaking their idols but he is saved by Allah. This restores the peoples faith.
The Prophet Ya'qub was born in 1700 BC, in Egypt. He calls people to Allah. The believers become known as the Banu Isra'il.
The Prophet Isa is born in the year 0. The people have gone back to worshiping idols. His birth is a miracle, since his mother, Maryam, is still a virgin. He can talk while still a baby. Isa is commissioned as a prophet in 30 AD. He commanded by Allah to bring the people onto the right path. He asks the people to obey Allah.
Religious Authority
Who or what makes the rules?
The Qur'an is the authentic collection of this revelation recorded in book form. It is the exact, unchanged Word of Allah to all mankind.
The Qur'an is the authentic collection of this revelation recorded in book form. It is the exact, unchanged Word of Allah to all mankind.
Core Believes
Goals:
The ultimate goal for a Muslim is admittance to Paradise following the Day of Judgment. God has the final say regarding who goes to Paradise, but the Quran's general requirements for entering Paradise are a belief in God, a belief in the Day of Judgment and the leading of a righteous life. Islam's goals are to create favorable conditions for a person to meet these criteria and live forever in Paradise.
The ultimate goal for a Muslim is admittance to Paradise following the Day of Judgment. God has the final say regarding who goes to Paradise, but the Quran's general requirements for entering Paradise are a belief in God, a belief in the Day of Judgment and the leading of a righteous life. Islam's goals are to create favorable conditions for a person to meet these criteria and live forever in Paradise.
Beliefs about the after life:
Many religions, whether they believe in the soul's existence in another world like Christianity, Islam and many pagan belief systems, or in reincarnation like many forms of Hinduism and Buddhism, believe that one's status in the afterlife is a reward or punishment for their conduct during life.
Many religions, whether they believe in the soul's existence in another world like Christianity, Islam and many pagan belief systems, or in reincarnation like many forms of Hinduism and Buddhism, believe that one's status in the afterlife is a reward or punishment for their conduct during life.
Rules/guidelines for daily life:
Muslims are expected to live according to Islamic law, which is called Sharia, or “God’s Way”. They are not allowed to steal, lie, commit adultery, gamble, eat pork or drink alcohol. The Qur’an also tells men and women to dress modestly. In some countries a woman must cover her head or face. Men mostly have a beard because Mohammad also had one.
The status of women is not the same in all Islamic states. Some countries limit the rights of women; in others men and women are equal. They have a right to vote, to get a good education and to have jobs. Islam also teaches other things like respect for parents, helping the poor, faith in God, kindness, honesty and hard work.
Muslims are expected to live according to Islamic law, which is called Sharia, or “God’s Way”. They are not allowed to steal, lie, commit adultery, gamble, eat pork or drink alcohol. The Qur’an also tells men and women to dress modestly. In some countries a woman must cover her head or face. Men mostly have a beard because Mohammad also had one.
The status of women is not the same in all Islamic states. Some countries limit the rights of women; in others men and women are equal. They have a right to vote, to get a good education and to have jobs. Islam also teaches other things like respect for parents, helping the poor, faith in God, kindness, honesty and hard work.
Concept of higher power:
Monotheism, belief in one God, is the most important and foundation concept in Islam. Muslims believe in one God who created the universe and has power over everything within it. He is unique and exalted above everything He creates, and His greatness cannot be compared to His creation. Furthermore, He is the only one deserving of any worship and the ultimate purpose of all creation is to submit to Him. The Islamic understanding of God is distinct from all other religions and beliefs in various respects since it is based on a pure and clear understanding of monotheism. This essentially captures the concept of God in Islam, which will be further elaborated in this pamphlet.
Muslims often refer to God as Allah. This is a universal name for God and does not refer to an exclusively ‘Islamic’ God. Interestingly, this name is related to the Aramaic and Hebrew names for God, Allah and Elohim. Therefore, Allah is simply the Arabic name for God which affirms that He is One singular God with no partners or equals. The name Allah cannot be pluralized or limited to a specific gender, which establishes that God is One and that He is unique from everything He creates. Muslims continue to use this original Arabic name for God (Allah) since it perfectly expresses His unique qualities.
Monotheism, belief in one God, is the most important and foundation concept in Islam. Muslims believe in one God who created the universe and has power over everything within it. He is unique and exalted above everything He creates, and His greatness cannot be compared to His creation. Furthermore, He is the only one deserving of any worship and the ultimate purpose of all creation is to submit to Him. The Islamic understanding of God is distinct from all other religions and beliefs in various respects since it is based on a pure and clear understanding of monotheism. This essentially captures the concept of God in Islam, which will be further elaborated in this pamphlet.
Muslims often refer to God as Allah. This is a universal name for God and does not refer to an exclusively ‘Islamic’ God. Interestingly, this name is related to the Aramaic and Hebrew names for God, Allah and Elohim. Therefore, Allah is simply the Arabic name for God which affirms that He is One singular God with no partners or equals. The name Allah cannot be pluralized or limited to a specific gender, which establishes that God is One and that He is unique from everything He creates. Muslims continue to use this original Arabic name for God (Allah) since it perfectly expresses His unique qualities.
Key holidays:
Islam has relatively few holidays compared to most other religions; nevertheless, their sacred days and times are very important to Muslims. When holidays are being observed, it is common for routine social activities, such as work and commerce, to stop temporarily out of respect for the person or event being remembered.
Traditionally, Muslims celebrate two major festivals - 'Id Al-Fitr and 'Id Al-Adha. They celebrate one month of daytime fasting - Ramadan. And they also observe a day of voluntary fasting - 'Ashura, which is also an important Shiite festival. (Also compare: Sunni and Shia Muslims.)
The popular festival of Mawlid an-Nabi celebrates the birthday of the prophet Muhammad, but is frowned upon as an idolatrous innovation by conservative Muslims. Most Islamic holidays either commemorate events in the life of the prophet Muhammad or are special days founded by him.
Islam has relatively few holidays compared to most other religions; nevertheless, their sacred days and times are very important to Muslims. When holidays are being observed, it is common for routine social activities, such as work and commerce, to stop temporarily out of respect for the person or event being remembered.
Traditionally, Muslims celebrate two major festivals - 'Id Al-Fitr and 'Id Al-Adha. They celebrate one month of daytime fasting - Ramadan. And they also observe a day of voluntary fasting - 'Ashura, which is also an important Shiite festival. (Also compare: Sunni and Shia Muslims.)
The popular festival of Mawlid an-Nabi celebrates the birthday of the prophet Muhammad, but is frowned upon as an idolatrous innovation by conservative Muslims. Most Islamic holidays either commemorate events in the life of the prophet Muhammad or are special days founded by him.
Sites and Symbols
Famous places and images of the religion:
There are three holy places in Islam—the Kaaba, the Prophet’s Mosque and Al-Aqsa Mosque. While a mosque—the place of worship for Muslims—is considered a holy place in general, these three mosques are rooted in Islamic history. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “Do not set out on a journey except for three Mosques i.e. Al-Masjid-AI-Haram, the Mosque of Allah's Messenger and the Mosque of Al-Aqsa, (Mosque of Jerusalem)." Muslims aim to travel to these mosques once in their life, where the reward for prayers is multiplied.
There are three holy places in Islam—the Kaaba, the Prophet’s Mosque and Al-Aqsa Mosque. While a mosque—the place of worship for Muslims—is considered a holy place in general, these three mosques are rooted in Islamic history. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “Do not set out on a journey except for three Mosques i.e. Al-Masjid-AI-Haram, the Mosque of Allah's Messenger and the Mosque of Al-Aqsa, (Mosque of Jerusalem)." Muslims aim to travel to these mosques once in their life, where the reward for prayers is multiplied.
Sects and Branches
They have many different schooling for children in an Islamic belief because they mainly have different types of people.