Islam – A Primer on The Beliefs and Tenets of Islam
History Of Islam
– founded by Muhammad b. 570 AD – 632 AD. He is called “The Messenger of God”, and is considered the exemplar of right living.
– father died before birth, mother when he was six. Raised at first by grandfather, later his uncle. Began working for merchant widow Khadijah, 40 yrs. He ultimately married her, had 2 sons who died, and 4 daughters.
Mohammed objected to the rampant polytheism in Mecca area. He would go apart to meditate, and at age 40, claimed to have received his first of many visions, which are recorded in the Qur’an. He was not originally convinced that the visions were from God, and was concerned that they may have been demonic, that he may have been possessed by demons or jinn (good/evil spirits) but his friends convinced him that his experiences came from God. He came to believe in only one god. Khadijah was his first religious convert. Another was wealthy merchant Abu Bakr.
Many disbelieved Mohammed’s teachings, and resistance to his movement grew, until he and his followers were driven out of Mecca. Mohammed fled to Medina, “City of the Prophet” (Madinat Rasul Allah – City of the Prophet of Allah), when he was driven out of Mecca. Medina became the second-holiest city of Islam. Contains the Mosque of the Prophet, built on the site of Mohammed’s home, and where he is buried. Medina established as the seat of Mohammed’s empire in 622 AD, upon which date, the Muslim calendar is based.
Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the first Muslim holy city, containing the Ka’aba mosque, referred to as “the house of God”. Ka’aba is a cube-shaped, black stone mosque believed to have been built by Abraham and Ishmael around a sacred black stone, believed to be a meteorite sent from Allah as a sign of his covenant with them. Mohammed returned to Mecca in conquest in 629. Muslims pray toward the Ka’aba, considered the most holy place in Islam.
Mohammed died in 632. He had named no religious successor, so upon his death, factions began to form. The aristocrats in Mecca thought anyone from a different tribe would be suitable, but others thought that the successor (khaleefah) must come through Muhammad’s family line. Abu Bakr was quickly named successor without much opposition, but he died two years later. Umar ibn al-Khattab, a friend of Mohammed, became second Caliph.
The Sunni
Sunnis believe that Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq, close friend & father-in-law of Muhammad, was rightfully chosen as first Caliph of Islam. Sunnis also believe that the leader should be elected by trusted Muslim leaders. They believed in solving issues by analogy. Sunni is the largest group of Muslims around today. Follow Qur’an closely.
The Shi’a
Shi’ites believe that Imams are the rightful caliphs, are appointed by Allah, and must descend from Mohammed himself. They are believed to possess divine knowledge and be the dispensers of divine grace. Mohammed had no living sons; his son-in-law, Ali ibn Abu Talib is believed to have been chosen by Allah and appointed by Mohammed to succeed M and lead Muslim community. He is considered the first Shi’a Imam. Ali and ten subsequent Shia Imams were murdered; the twelfth disappeared, and is believed to be returning in the “last days” as the great Madhi (guided one) who will redeem Islam and rule for 7, 9, or 19 years before the Day of Judgment, and will rid the world of evil. Ahmadinajad awaits this 12th imam.
Shia Muslims may pray to Ali, and have images of him. Some Muslims mourn Ali’s death by hitting their heads, cutting themselves with knives or swords, and flogging themselves with chains.
Shia Islam is aggressively Qur’anic, and fiercely punitive against infractions of Sharia Law.
The Sufis
Muslim mystics who sought direct personal experience with the Divine. Sufism can be found in both Shia and Sunni individuals. Sufis tend to be more tolerant of non-Muslims.
Wahabi Islam
Arose in 18th C in Saudi Arabia from Sunni. Very strict interpretation of Qur’an & Hadith, and has added many restrictive rules on top of these writings. Hierarchy of Imams and lower clerics. Associated w Saudi royal family. Taliban in Afghanistan & al Qaeda, originate from Wahabiism. Wahabi teaching is found in both Shia and Sunni mosques.
Relatively small proportion of Muslims, but aggressive in outreach beyond S.A., responsible for some of the evangelistic campaigns in North America & Europe, including distribution of translations of the Qur’an. Also referred to as salafis.
Ahmadiyya
Founded in India latter 19th C by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, who claimed to be the prophesied world reformer for the end times, to bring about the final triumph of Islam. Considered apostate by conservative branches of Islam. Believe the aggressive and violent portions of the Qur’an refer only to certain specific incidents, rather than general teaching. Accept Abu Bakr as first Caliph after M. Accept the Sahih Bukhari Hadith as authoritative & correct.
Statistics:
~85% of all Muslims are Sunni
Shia are majority in Iran (96%), Azerbaijan(94%), Bahrain (80%), Iraq (75%), Lebanon (75%), Yemen (60%)
Syria is 70% Sunni
Hamas, Fatah, Muslim Brotherhood are Sunni.
80% Muslims in US & UK are Sunni.
Muslims in Canada: +1M
Teachings of Islam
– obligated to faith and duty.
– The Law: Shari’a. Theocratic states; no division between religion and state.
– The Qur’an (Koran). About 4/5 size of the NT, has 114 chapter (surahs). Comprised of Allah’s revelations, and Mohammad’s teachings. Most written by him, but other parts written by his followers based on his teachings. Only divine in original Arabic; translations are not authorized versions. Other teachings and customs recorded in Hadith as a supplement to Koran.
Other writings, though less inspired, include Torat (Moses), Suhuf (the Prophets), Zabur (David), and Injil (gospel of Jesus).
The Five Pillars of Islam.
- The Creed (Shahada). Repeated constantly by the faithful, “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah.”
- Prayer (Salaat). Prayer is necessary five times a day; upon rising, at noon, mid-afternoon, after sunset, and before bed.
- Almsgiving (Zakat). Each Muslim must give 1/40 of income to help the destitute.
- Fasting (Ramadan). For one month every year, one must not eat or drink anything during daylight hours. Also, no smoking or sexual pleasure. It fosters devotion to God and appreciation of the poor.
- The Pilgrimage (Haji). Essential for salvation, each Muslim must visit Mecca and perform rituals around the Ka’ba at least once in his/her lifetime. If one is feeble and unable, a proxy can be sent in one’s place and perform the necessary duties.
*6. Jihad (Holy War). When the situation warrants, men must go to war to spread or defend Islam against the infidels. To die in Jihad guarantees paradise.
The Six Articles of Faith
1 God. Only one God, Allah. He is self-subsistent, omniscient, omnipotent, the creator, the sole judge on judgement day. It is difficult to know much about Him. He is slow to be affected by his creatures’ actions. Said to be loving, but not really known. His supreme justice is the emphasis; fatherly characteristics are unknown.
- Angels are active and important. Demons/Jinn were at one point angels. Unseen spiritual beings.
- Scripture. Qur’an given by Allah to his prophets. God’s final and greatest revelation to man.
- Prophets. God has spoken to man through prophets. The greatest of these are Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, who is the final and greatest of them all.
- Day of Judgement. Those who follow and obey Allah will go to heaven, Paradise, which is a place of endless pleasure. Those who oppose him will be tormented in hell.
- Kismet. Strict predestination; all good or evil proceeds from divine will. Allah’s decree is sovereign over the universe.
Other Islamic beliefs:
Qur’an has existed unchanged since Mohammed originally wrote it. (see Nabeel p. 239 for example of discrepancies)
Up to four wives are permitted, and unlimited concubines. Husband may divorce wife at any time.
Alcohol and gambling are considered evil from the “Christian” west..
Allah extremely distant, unknown and unsympathetic to mankind. Whatever Allah chooses is right.
Allah has no son and cannot have.
Jesus was a prophet and a good man, but He was not God. Some believe someone else was crucified in His place; others that He did not die.
The Bible is corrupted.
Different sects accept different renditions of the Hadith. Sahih Burkhari, Sahih Muslim
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