Understanding Islam and Muslims

1. Understanding Islam and Muslims A Presentation for a Religious Diversity Series in the work place November 4, 1998 A.D. 14 Rajab 1419 A.H.

2. What is Islam? According to Webster’s History of words: The root of Islam is salaam which means PEACE and Islam means SUBMISSION. In the religious context it means attaining PEACE through SUBMISSION to the divine natural order created by the ONE Almighty God.

3. What is Islam?Continued It is not a new religion, but the same truth that was revealed to all the Prophets. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus & Muhammad. (Peace be upon them) The Prophet believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers; they all believe in Godand His Angels and His Books and His Prophets. Say, We make no difference between any of His prophets. And they say: We hear, and we obey: (We seek) Thy forgiveness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys. [Quran 2:285 ]

4. What is Islam?Continued "Say: we believe in God, and that which was revealed unto us, and that which was revealed unto Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which was bestowed upon Moses and Jesus and the prophets from their Lord; We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered. " [The Holy Qur'an 3:84]

5. Who are Muslims? A Muslim is one who submits to the will of God. (The term ‘Muhammadan’ is misleading and offensive) They comprise one fifth (1.2 Billion ) of the world population. • There are about 6 to 8 million Muslims in the US. • About 30 million Muslims in Europe.

6. What is the Quran ? The Quran is a record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad, fourteen centuries ago. It was memorized by Muhammad (pbuh) and then dictated to his Companions, and written down by scribes, who cross-checked it during his lifetime. Not one word of its 114 chapters (Surah) has been changed over the centuries.

7. What is the Quran ?Continued The Quran, the last revealed Word of God, is the prime source of every Muslim's faith and practice It deals with all the subjects which concern us as human beings: wisdom, doctrine, reasoning, worship, and law, but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures At the same time it provides guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and an equitable economic system.

8. Who is Muhammad (pbuh) ? Born in Makkah (Arabian Peninsula) in 570 AD Like all the prophets before Muhammad he was a human-being sent by God to remind people of their One True Creator and establish a system of peace and justice for all The practice and example of the Prophet, is the second source of guidance for Muslims

9. Who is Muhammad (pbuh) ?Continued A hadith is a reliably transmitted report of what the Prophet said, did, or approved. e.g. The Prophet said: 'God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others.' ‘Whoever believes in God and the Day of Judgment should do good to his neighbor’ 'God does not judge according to your bodies and appearances but He scans your hearts and looks into your deeds.'

10. What are the Basic Islamic Beliefs? One, Unique, Incomparable God, Who has no son or partner Allah is the proper name of god. “The God” Belief in God’s Revealed Books: Torah, Injil (Bible) & Quran Belief in prophets of God: Adam, Noah, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Jesus and the Final Prophet and Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon them) Belief in the Day of Judgment: When all of humanity will be held accountable for their deeds. Belief in the Angels of God. Belief in ‘Qadar’. Predestine and Due Measure. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Innocence of Humankind at Birth. No Intermediary between God and Humans.

11. What are the Five Pillars of Islam? Testimony of Faith: There is no deity but God (Allah) and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God Prayer: Daily at Dawn, Noon, Mid-Afternoon, Sunset and Night. Each prayer takes a few minutes. Poor Due (Zakat): An annual payment of 2.5% of a Muslim’s wealth which is distributed among the needy. Optional charity is encouraged. Fasting: Total abstinence from food and liquid from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan. Hajj: Annual pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are physically and financially able.

12. Abrahamic Connection? Genesis 17:5 No longer will you be called Abram, your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. Quran 2:124 And (remember) when his Lord tried Abraham with (His) commands, and he fulfilled them, He said: Lo! I have appointed thee a leader of many nations. (Abraham) said: And of my offspring (will there be leaders) ? He said: My covenant does not include the unjust.

13. Abrahamic Connection? It is here in Makkah that Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael built a house of worship for God.

14. What do Muslims believe about Jesus? Quran confirms his virgin birth: 3:45 - Behold! the angels said: O Mary! God gives thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to God; (46) He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. And he shall be of the righteous.

15. What do Muslims believe about Jesus?Continued Quran 3:47 - She said: My Lord! How can I have a child when no mortal has touched me ? He said: So (it will be). Allah creates what He will. If He decrees a thing, He says unto it only: Be! and it is. Quran 3:59 - The likeness of Jesus before God is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him: "Be". And he was.

16. What does the Quran say about Creation? The Quran encourages humankind to use the powers of intelligence and observation. Origin of Universe: Do the unbelievers not realize that the heavens and the earth used to be one solid mass that we exploded into existence? And from water we made all living things. Would they believe? [Qur’an 21:30] Expanding Universe: "The heaven, We have built it with power. Verily. We are expanding it. [Qur’an 51:47]

17. What does the Quran say about Creation?Continued Embryology: ... Subsequently, we reproduced him from a tiny drop, that is placed into a well protected repository. Then we developed the drop into a hanging (embryo), then developed the hanging (embryo) into a bite-size (fetus), then created the bite-size (fetus) into bones, then covered the bones with flesh. We thus produce a new creature. Most blessed is GOD, the best Creator. Then, later on, you die. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will be resurrected. [Qur'an 23:12-16]

18. How does Islam adjust in the USA? Islam in America - News Segment (2 min, 32 sec) (Produced by CBS Evening News - January 25, 1998) http://islam.org/Video/cbs1.ram

19. What aspects of Islam effect the work place? Holidays: Two main Holidays One to celebrate the end of the fasting month (Ramadan). Second to commemorate the example of Prophet Abraham (pbuh). The end of annual pilgrimage (Hajj) Dietary Restriction: No Pig meat (pepperoni, ham, pork, bacon, etc.) No intoxicants Ablution: Washing before prayers Prayers:Noon, Mid Afternoon and Friday Fasting in Ramadan:No food during lunch meetings

20. What does Islam say about Diversity? O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). [Quran 49:13]

21. References: On-line www.Islam.org Books ‘Islam and the Destiny of Man’ by Charles Le Gai Eaton ‘ISLAM 2000’ by Dr. Murad Hofmann ‘Struggling to Surrender’ by Dr. Jeffrey Lang

22. I S L A M Peace & Submissionto the One Almighty God