Shawn Moore

Theology

1/26/07

Islam

Muhammad

Islam was a religion that was discovered by the prophet Muhammad. He was born 570 CE in Mecca. His father, Abd Allah died on a trip to visit his family before Muhammad was born. He was raised by his mother and her family until she died when Muhammad was six years old. After his mother died he was raised by his paternal grandfather, Abdal-Muttalib, for two years then he died. Following the death of his grandfather, Muhammad spent the rest of his childhood with his uncle, Abu Talib. When Muhammad was grown he had no wealth of his own. Then at the age of 25, he married a rich widow who hired him as a merchant. He started to get into trade and was became a gifted trader. He was a trader until 610, when Allah called him to be his messenger. He had a vision were he was told by the archangel Gabriel, “In the name of Allah the Merciful, the Compassionate; read in the name of thy Lord who created, created man from a clot, read and thy lord is the most noble, Who taught by pen, taught man what he knew not”[1]. His messages and revelations from Allah were later recorded in the Koran.

Five Pillars of Islam

·                    Shahada-the Islamic declaration of faith, “There is no god worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is His messenger.”

·                    Salat-the requirement to pray five times a day, led by an educated man who knows the Koran, facing the Ka ‘aba in Mecca and are said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall

·                    Zakat-charity to others, Each Muslim gives two and a half percent of what they earn

·                    Sawm-fasting during Ramadan, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations from sunup to sundown, viewed as a way to gain control over ones body and emotions

·                    Hajj-pilgrimage made to Mecca by all Muslims who are physically and financially able

Key Terms

Jihad-means struggle, either the inner struggle of faith or the outer struggle with unbelievers

Mecca-place of pilgrimage for Muslims

Mosque-place of Worship for Muslims

Fiqh-Islamic Law

Morality

Acohol is forbidden as a drink, but is allowed to be used only for medical purposes. They believe that anything that hinders our mind from functioning normally, that numbs our senses and decreases our sense of reason is harmful and should not be used. This includes all other drugs that prevent s us from being able to make choices and impair our judgement.

Islam believes that sex should be saved for marriage. They view that sex is for recreation and reproduction in a marital relationship. Adultery is punishable by law and the person who commits it could receive up to 100 lashes. Islam view homosexuality as a sin and do not allow same sex marriages.

Islamic belief of material goods is that all goods come from Allah and that he has entrusted us with this wealth. This is why Muslims are required to get a Zakat on all goods that are received. They believe that they also should give back to the poor and needy.

Islam teaches that lying depends on the situation. There are two situations where lying is intolerable is lying against Allah or Muhammad. They believe that it is nothing wrong, however, if you are lying to save a life or to keep peace. They believe that it depends on the principles of the situation.

Encyclopedia of World Religions

http://www.shirazi.org.uk/prophet-biography.htm

http://www.mustaqim.co.uk/printalcohol.htm