ISLAM RELIGION

Islam is the second largest religion in the world after chriastianity. They are one of the
monotheistic religion who believes that there is only one God (which they called allah) that
creates and holds power over all things.

Basic Informations
A. Followers of Islams are commonly known as Muslims
B. The word Islam means voluntary “Submission” or “Surrender” to the Will of God. It
derives from the root word “salam,” meaning peace thus Islam can be defined as a path to
attain complete peace through voluntary submission to the divine will.
C. Mosque is a place where Muslims worship and express their faith
Islam's holy book or sacred scripture is called Qur'an ("recitation") they believe that the
Qur'an is literally the God's word as revealed to the prophet Muhammad through the
angel Gabriel.
D. According to the Islamic statement of witness, or shahada, “There is no god but Allah
and Muhammad is the messenger of allah” Muslims believe he created the world in six
days and sent prophets such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, and lastly
Muhammad, who they often referred to as the "seal of prophets"
E. All members of the Islamic community, ummah, can approach Allah by praying, and by
reciting the Qur'an.
F. The countries who has the largest Muslim communities among the world are indonesia,
pakistan and bangladesh.

Prophet Mohammed
• Muhammad ibn Abd Allah is a prophet and and founder of Islam religion he was born
around 570, AD in Mecca (now in Saudi Arabia).

• He belongs to a poor family his father died just before he was born. he was first raised by
his grand father but later on died and so his uncle Abu Talib, head of the Hashim clan
took place in taking care of him.

• In his early 20's mohammed began woking as a trader for a wealthy widowed merchant
named Khadija. Khadija was 15 years older than him but despite of it they married each
other and had many children.
 • Muhammad was also very religious, When he was nearly 40, he used to spend many
hours alone in prayer and contemplating to sacred sites near Mecca. He was meditating in
a cave on Mount Jabal aI-Nour when angel gabriel appeared before him and hand on the
message of the lord. "Recite in the name of your Lord who creates, creates man from a
clot! Recite for your lord is most generous...” these became the first lines of surah
(chapter) 96 of the Quran. his wife Khadija was the first person to believe in him as a
prophet.

Sunnis, Shiites, and Kharijites

I. The original split between Sunnis and Shiites occurred soon after the death of the Prophet
Muhammad, in the year 632.

II. Most of the Prophet Muhammad's followers wanted the community of Muslims to
determine who would succeed him. A smaller group thought that someone from his
family should take up his mantle. They favored Ali, who was married to Muhammad's
daughter, Fatimah. while The majority of the community chose Abu Bakr, the venerable
friend of the Prophet.

III. Shiites believed that leadership should stay within the family of the prophet but Sunnis
believed that leadership should fall to the person who was deemed by the elite of the
community to be best able to lead the community.

IV. The violence and war split the small community of Muslims into two branches.

The Quran
• The Quran (sometimes spelled Qur’an or Koran) is considered the most important holy
book among Muslims. it begins with a short surah (chapter) called the Fātihah, [The
Opening] and consists of 114 chapters or surahs, each composed of verses (ayahs).

• The word Qur'an literally means “recitation.” Muslims believe that the words of the
Quran were originally revealed by the Angel Gabriel to Muhammad in Arabic, and he
then recited them to his followers.
 • Qur’an was believed to be the last in a series of revelations by Allah and it contains all
the teachings of God.

• Like Judaism and Christianity, Islam is a religion that emphasizes on the community.
their goal is to have a just society.

Five Pillars of Islam

The most important Muslim practices are the Five Pillars of Islam. it must be carried out and
followed because it is their way of putting their faith into action.

1. Shahada (creed)- "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the "Messenger of God"
this phrase written in arabic everywhere and must sincerely recited.
2. Salat (prayer)- Muslims pray facing Mecca five times a day: at dawn, noon, mid-
afternoon, sunset, and after dark. Before prayer, there is an individual cleansing ritual
with water, washing the hands, arms, face, neck, and feet.
3. Zakat (charity)- In accordance with their law, Muslims donate a fixed portion of their
income to community members in need.
4. Sawm (fasting)- Muslims are required to fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the
Islamic calendar which commemorates Alla’s first revelations to Muhammad. all healthy
adult muslims needs to abstain themselves from food, drinks, smoking, and sexual
activities.
5. Hajj (pilgrimage)- Is an annual journey of islams to Mecca, Saudi Arabia the holiest city
for Muslims. it is their religious duty to visit atleast once in their lifetime and this must be
carried out by adults who are physically and financially capable.