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Islam Overview
Islam Overview
Islam:
Surrender, related to salaam, or peace. Abraham, father of all prophets, is the first Muslim Islam is also a code for social conduct Quran plus the authentic statements of Muhammad (Hadith) = Shareeha (constitution), as Interpreted by Islamic scholars
Muhammad is the last prophet (33: 40). Gabriel highest ranking angel
The Quran:
Islams holy book, an inspired scripture. Gods word inspired to his messenger, 114 Chapters (chapter = Surah), 4 to >200 verses/chapter (verse = Aiyah) Confirms most narratives and prophets of the Jewish and Christian faiths Special place for Virgin Mary, the only female (the Chapter of Mary) Allah is the word for God used by Christian and Muslim Arabs God = Allah (Arabic) = Eluhim (Hebrew) = El (Aramaic) One and only one God, no trinity Arabic as the language of the Quran
2. Prayer: Five obligatory prayers each day. A direct link between the worshiper and God. No hierarchical authority or priesthood
3. Zakat: Obligatory charitable giving. Wealth belong to God and it is held in trust by humans. Zakat, or, "purification" by setting aside a portion (2.5%) for the needy 4. Fasting: From sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan 5. Pilgrimage: A pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca, Arabia. Only those who can
'Do not attack a temple, a church, a synagogue. Do not bring a tree or a plant down. Do not harm a horse or a camel
The Levant remained mainly Christian for almost 200 Yrs. No one was forced to convert to Islam The right of all faiths to warship was respected Sites of warship, holy places and shrines of all faiths were protected
Social Justice
Charity, Charity, Charity . On top of the Zakat. Help the orphan, the poor, the ill, the lost, the homeless, the elderly Endless times in the Quran (16 times in Chapters 2-5 alone)
Freedom, Integrity, Equality, Justice . An hour of justice by a ruler is better than sixty days of hard work (Hadith) Endless request for justice in the Quran (e.g., 2: 282; 6; 152)
O mankind, Weve created you from a male and a female and have made you nations and tribes that you may know and interact with each other. The noblest of you in the sight of God is the best in conduct (49:13). No Arab is privileged over non-Arab but by his or her conduct (Hadith) All people are equal like the teeth of a comb (Hadith) You are not considered faithful in the sight of God unless you like for your brother (read, others) what you like for yourself (Hadith) when you are greeted with a greeting of peace, answer with an even better greeting, or at least the like thereof" (4: 86).
Other Values
Right and Status of Women Eliminated many pre-Islamic discriminatory practices Gave women rights (e.g., inheritance) and equality to men, both were made from a single soul (e.g., 4:1) Limited the number of wives a man can marry Treat women with kindness and respect their rights as equal to men The hijab or head scarf Modest dress apply to women and men equally (Quran and Hadith). Women are required to cover their bodies so that their figure is not revealed. Women are not required to cover their faces. The forbidden or taboo (muharramat) include pork, blood, improperly butchered animals, baby animals, gambling, and charging interest Alcohol drinking was gradually disallowed