...The Islam Religion Violeta Toribio & Ryan Landry University of Phoenix Rel/134 Jack Killough June 21, 2010 The Islam Religion “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God” is the basic core belief in the Islamic religion. Islam means “submission (to God)” in Arabic. Islam is a monothetic religion whose followers are also known as Muslims. This paper will be clearing common myths in the Islamic religion, explaining the sacred texts, and giving descriptions of common symbolism in Islamic text and religious practices. Also to be found in the paper is the historical foundation of the religion and some of the similarities and differences between Islam and Christianity. Islam is a religion that has been subjected to many negative stereotypes where they are portrayed as violent uncivilized terrorist who oppress women. This portrayal comes from the lack of knowledge about the religion and how the U.S. mainstream media represents Muslims. Some of the common myths about Islam are Islam is intolerant of non-Muslims, Muslims don’t believe in Jesus, all Muslims are Arabs, and Muslims are violent terrorist. The first myth about Islam is that Islam is intolerant of other faiths. That is a misconception because the Qur’an preaches tolerance of other faiths, and the value of human life and to have respect for others. Announcements by Osama Bin Laden make the Islam religion seems like racist people who out to destroy any non-Muslims societies. The word of...
Words: 997 - Pages: 4
...RLG204H5 S – Exam Review Week 3B: Denny CHAPTER 8 - Muslim creeds and theologies: Their purposes and varieties * Islamic Theology * Creed in Islam = Shahāda: simply proclaims the essential nature of God and the relation to him of his prophet, and thus implicitly all humans (if it is a creed, it is very laconic) * Kalām = theology in Islam = words, discussion, discourse * Ilm al-kalām = “science of discourse” or il al-tawhīd = “the science of (the divine) unity” * Theology only legitimate when subservient to the religious law, sharī’a * Fiqh = science of Muslim jurisprudence (‘Understanding’) is the chief Islamic science, in light of which all others are judged * Kalām is subordinate to fiqh * Majority of Muslims have given their allegiance in analysis and interpretation of doctrinal matters to the ‘ulamā’ = ‘the scholar jurists’ * THEOLOGICAL ISSUES * Khārijites = faction that seceded from Alī’s Shī’a * Had very high ideal of what Muslim community should be * Called themselves “the people of paradise” * Abandoned their leader Alī after his arbitration with Umayyad challenger, Mu’āwiya * Later also rejected the Umayyads * Now Khārijites = outlaw Muslims who zealously persisted trying to force their vision of Islam on their brothers * Strictest faction = Azraqites – Moderate faction = Najdite * Murji’ite = position that no human can discern whether sinners were...
Words: 5436 - Pages: 22
...Joshua Sharp October 20, 2009 Philosophy World Religion Islam “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his Messenger.” This is the first and most important belief of Islam. Those few words encompass what it means to be to be Muslim. However it does not give the full picture of what Muslims believe. To get a better picture of what it means to be Muslim more must be explained, such as The Five Pillars of Islam, and Muhammad the Prophet. The cornerstone the Five Pillars of Islam are the first and most important part of being a good Muslim. Through adherents to the Five Pillars any Muslims know they are on the path to Allah. The first pillar is the Shahadah or the creed which is “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his Messenger.”(W.W page 296) When a person proclaims the Shahadah with all of their heart in front of the community, they become Muslim. The Second Pillar is Salat or daily prayer. Muslims are called to prayer five times a day so that they may remember that it is Allah, not themselves, that are to be worshiped. The Qur’an states “Fortify yourselves with patience and prayer…Remember your Lord deep in your soul with humility and reverence, and without ostentation: in the morning and in the evening; and do not be negligent.”(W.W page 297) The third pillar is the Zakat or giving money to the poor. The Qur’an states “Alms shall be only for the poor and the helpless, and for those that are engaged in the management of the alms and those who hearts are sympathetic...
Words: 892 - Pages: 4
...Jessica Havran Islam Worksheet When studying Islam, it is important to understand the essential elements of the faith, how they are practiced, and the distinctions among the three branches: Shiite Islam, Sunni Islam, and Sufism. Write a 1- to 2-paragraph response for each of the following directives and note where there are differences among the three branches of Islam. 1. Explain the meaning of the name, Islam. The name Islam means, submission or surrender expressing heartfelt surrender to God, and a Muslim is one who submits to God. The words Muslim and Islam are connected to various words for peace, for instance the Arabic word Salam and the Hebrew shalom. They propose the inner peace that is achieved by surrendering to God. Islam also involves the community of all believers, proposing inclusion in a large family. Shiite Islam gets their name from the word Shia, which means fraction. This group followed Ali, who is the son-in-law and cousin of Muhammad. By most early Muslims the first four successors of Muhammad (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali) were accepted. Shiite Islam’s believed that the legitimate succession was hereditary, descending from the immediate family of Muhammad. The Light of Muhammad was a God-given, hereditary spiritual power it was thought by most Shiites to have passed to a total of twelve successors or Islam’s. The first legitimate Imam was Ali. The Sunnite or Sunni Islam, is another great division of Islam, and takes its name...
Words: 2259 - Pages: 10
...worldwide. Islam is the major religion of much of Asia, and Indonesia as well with the world's most abundant Muslim population. Today Islam is a very sensitive and controversial topic; there are a lot of misconceptions and conceptions about its belief, values and goals. In this research paper l will examine the teachings of Islam and how they are interpreted and or practiced in different countries and cultures, including the United States, Great Britain, the Middle East, India and Pakistan, and other country of Asia. How Islam is understood in each country's culture and how is it contrasted with Christianity and Judaism? How do these understandings impact the ways that Muslims and non-Muslims interact and communicate with one another. Religion is one of the moving forces behind many of the event and attitude that have shaped our world. During the centuries, countries and cities have been developed and destroyed; and battle have been fought, all to protect or make known one religion or another. Islam is the second largest religion in the world; without doubt Muslims differ in their personal engagement and practice between doctrinal and cultural attitude, and have different apprehension about the correct practice of Islam. It had remained fairly invisible to most Americans prior to the Arab oil embargo of 1973 and the Iranian Revolution of 1978–1979 with its taking and holding of US hostages (Simmons, Gwendolyn, Zoharah 2008). Of course, American interest in Islam has been further...
Words: 1438 - Pages: 6
...ISLAM Islam. Misunderstood by generations of people, characterized as the religion of terrorists and extremists, and feared for its massive growth, nothing could be further from the truth. These misconceptions are easy, too. Popular media, the actions of an express few and poor education have all lead to a sphere of ignorance concerning this peaceful path to God. Growing up in a Christian family, and following the mainstream media, it is easy to see how something such as Islam could be vilified, and very few, if any, questions asked about it. This is what helps to grow the ignorance concerning Islam and how misperceptions continue to be propagated. To be fair, it is easy to see how some of the misperceptions came about - fanatical devotees who spend more time in prayer than others, a single minded devotion to their religion and Mohammad (peace be upon him), and the constant struggle in Middle East all paint a picture that does not do Islam or it adherent’s justice. In fact, they barely scratch the surface of what Islam is all about, and what little truth does come out cannot overcome the negative stereotypes that have been ingrained in the larger population. So, was I affected by these misperceptions? The answer, unfortunately, is a resounding yes. As a member of society I too was easily drawn into the web of negativity that surrounds Islam. I didn’t credit it with any positive accomplishments, nor did I grant it any legitimacy as a religion, mostly based on the actions...
Words: 1843 - Pages: 8
...Islam discussion Sunni and Shi'a are the two main Islam denominations. Sunni is the larger of the two and represents about eighty percent of the Muslim population. They both believe in the sacred text from the Qur'an. Both of them have only one God. Men may marry up to four women. Denied Jesus died on a cross but He did go to Heaven. Both believe in the second coming of Jesus. For both the Sunni and Shi’a; Christianity and Judaism are people from the Book. Their differences originate from leadership. Sunnis’ elected the first caliph; Abu Bakr to lead “the people of Sunnah”. The Shi’a believe the rightful successor to the Prophet Muhammad was ‘Ali. For the Sunni Ali was considered “The lion of God” the first male converted to Islam and the warrior champion of the faith. On the other side; for the Shi’a people God refer to Ali as “Ali is from me and I am from him, and he is the protector of every true believer after Muhammad”. It is important to know that despite these differences in opinion and practice; Shi’a and Sunni Muslims share the main group of Islamic belief and are considered by most to be brethren in faith. Even most Muslims do not distinguish themselves by claiming membership in any particular group. They prefer to call themselves simply, "Muslims." Women are currently often considered second class citizens. They do not have rights or those few rights they are given can be taken away by their husband or religious leaders. Usually women are not allowed to work...
Words: 465 - Pages: 2
...Study Guide for Quiz 2 – Women in Islam Part I Be prepared to answer the short answer questions below. Two of them will be on the quiz. (10 points) 1. Name six facts about the life of Mohammad, including where he lived and approximately when. What women were in his life? (Study Guide 18) * 1. Born in Mecca in the year 570. 2. Was an orphaned by the age 3 and raise by his uncle 3. Became a business man 4. Met a successful wealthy widow named Khadija and marries her. 5. When Mohammad was 40 years old in year 610 he had his first revelation of G-d. 6. After the death of Khadija he made two marriages that were mainly for political reasons, the first is Sawdah and Aisha. 2. What are the five pillars of Islam? (Study Guide 19) * 1. Witness – accepting Mohammad as G-d’s messenger and that there is no G-d but Allah. 2. Prayer- pray five times a day, Friday is a day of communal prayer. 3. “Alma” – give charity, obligatory for those who are able to give 2.5% of one’s wealth to the poor. 4. Fasting- during the month of Ramadan. 5. Pilgrimage to Mecca at least ones in a lifetime, obligatory for those who are able to economically and physically. 3. Contrast the view of Adam and Eve in the Qur’an with comments on them in later Muslim writing and thinking such as exegesis and legend. (See Study Guide 20, based on Kvam, pp. 185-203.) * In the Qur'an the creation story never describes Eve as being created secondary to Adam, it also...
Words: 1360 - Pages: 6
...revelation by the angel Gabriel (so 40 years and was the first revelation came when the prophet). In the year 622, Islam becomes uninhabitable in Mecca, the pressures of the Meccans against Muslims, the Prophet of Medina. Muhammad (pbuh) Prophet reasons like to invite. Muhammad and his Companions emigrated from Mecca to Medina.EMIGRATION called this event in Islamic history. Hijrah, the Prophet. Omar was considered the beginning of time Hijri calendar. HZ. MUHAMMAD (s.a.v.) IN THE TRIPS Battle of Badr (624) Causes; Muslims further away from the desired strength to be removed, to follow the caravan to Mecca, Muslims, seek to prevent the Muslims of Mecca trade. Muslims won the battle. Results; Islam and Muslims gained strength, the Meccans seized a large amount of booty and prisoners. Battle of Badr, the first major war between Muslims and Meccans. Muslims they won the first battle against the Meccans. Battle of Uhud (625) Causes; Meccans, they want to avenge the Battle of Badr, Damascus wants to take to secure trade routes, they want to conquer the Muslims of Mecca caravan trade.Meccans won the battle. Trench War (627) Reason; Meccans they want to blow an end to Muslims. Muslims won the battle. Results; Meccans they understand you can not beat the Muslims, the Meccans defense, Muslims were attacked, has accelerated the spread of Islam. Hudeybiye Peace (628) was among...
Words: 487 - Pages: 2
...Introduction Unlike the United States, our criminal procedure follows an adversarial system, which is based under English Common Law. The people of Iran and many other countries and governments in the Middle East, follow Islamic law, also known as Sharia Law. Sharia Law is the underlying influence of the legal code in many Muslim countries. What is Sharia Law? Sharia law, also known, as Islamic law is a movement derived from the Holy Quran that allows such countries as Iran to govern personal status laws, regulations that pertain to divorce and marriage, inheritance and custody. In the Middle East, Sharia law contains major controversy when it comes to influence status law as well as criminal law. The Holy Quran and some of its interpretations are used to justify what Americans would describe as cruel and unusual punishments like death by stoning and the unequal treatment of women in their dress, status, inheritance and independence (Johnson, 2010). The Iranian government follows and sets forth laws under Sharia and the ways of the Holy Quran and prophet Mohammed. Sharia developed in 632 CE after the death of the prophet Mohammad and passed down by scholars as the ways of “Allah”, the ways of the one and only God. People of the Muslim faith follow a school called the Ja’fari, which is most notable in Iran as Shia-dominant (Johnson, 2010). Elements Under Sharia Law: The primary element of Sharia is the Holy Quran. There are not other appeals that go against the...
Words: 1322 - Pages: 6
...The Religion of Islam 1 THE RELIGION OF ISLAM AND THE HOLY QUR'AN Islam: The Religion of Peace and Tolerance - Religion Essay Peace and tolerance are two of the most important aspects that make up Islam. Muslims are to understand these aspects of Islam. However in recent years there are groups of extremist Muslims who have given Islam a bad name by doing terroristic acts to other human beings for their own reasons and personal gains. By addressing these questions can give anyone a better understanding of the religion of Islam. 1. Where did the religion of Islam come from? What does the Religion of Islam teach? How does Islam relate to other Religion of the world? The focus of this essay is to answer these questions with research and studies learned. Where did the religion of Islam come from? The Religion of Islam is believed to have been established in the year of Six Hundred and Ten CE (Common Era). Islam is believed to be the youngest of all the different religions A prophet by the name of Adam is said to be the man whom created the religion but was preached throughout the city of Mecca by a prophet named Muhammad. Muhammad was born in Five Hundred and Seventy CE in the city of Mecca where he worked as a merchant and as a shepherd. According to Islamic beliefs by age forty in the month of Ramadan was where he received his first revelation from God while being in the surrounding mountains in a cave...
Words: 1175 - Pages: 5
...ISLAM Overview Islam is the second only to Christianity as the most followed religion in the world. Islam is interpreted as a Muslim who willing submits to the teachings of the Quran and Allah. As a Muslim you commit complete devotion to Allah, love, trust, and affection. Muslims, like Christians and Jews are monotheists and only believe in Allah as the only existing God. (http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/fastfacts.htm) Its founder Muhammad, a trade merchant from Arabia, in 622 CE, discovered Islam. (http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/fastfacts.htm). There are a few central beliefs that represent the core of Islam: a) To believe that Allah is the only true God. b) To believe that Allah is the only God one is allowed to worship. c) To believe Allah is perfect and all that He describes in the Quran is also perfect. The Sacred Texts Islam is represented by two main sacred texts: the Quran and Hadith. The Quran is the most sacred text, which is the literal word of God as revealed to Muhammad. The Quran means “reaction”, and is considered the holy word Islam. The Quran is considered a true account of the angel Gabriel’s dictation to Muhammad from 610 to 632 AD, and that is a perfect copy creating the Quran that has lived in eternal existence. The Hadith is the second text, which Muslims believe is the recorded sayings of Muhammad and his followers...
Words: 677 - Pages: 3
...research paper l will examine the teachings of Islam and how they are interpreted and or practiced in different countries and cultures, including the United States, Great Britain, the Middle East, India and Pakistan, and Asia. How Islam is understood in each country's culture and how is it contrasted with Christianity and Judaism? How do these understandings impact the ways that Muslims and non-Muslims interact and communicate with one another. Body 1. Practices of Islam in the United States • Islam influences on the American Life • Muslin Resiliency in America • Acceptance of Islam by America 2. Practices of Islam in Great Britain • Muslim alliance in Great Britain • Integration in Great Britain 3. Practices of Islam in India and Pakistan • Muslim sects • Muslim Sovereignty 4. Practices of Islam in the Asia • Muslim roots and culture • Muslim and Non-Muslim Practices 5. Muslims and non-Muslims similarities • Similarity between Christianity, Judaism and Islam • Similar prophets of Judaism, Christianity and Islam (Kleven, T. J. 2013). • Quran, Torah and New Testament similarities (Kleven, T. J. 2013). 6. Conclusion References Abou-Zaid, A. S., & Leonce, T. (2014). Religious Pluralism, yet a Homogenous Stance on Interest Rate: The Case of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Contemporary Economics, 8(2), 219-228. Kattan, A. E. (2014). Christianity in a Culture Marked by Islam: Facts and Visions....
Words: 296 - Pages: 2
...Islam is the world's fastest growing faith. It all began in 610 C.E. when the Prophet Muhammad received revelations of the Quran in Mecca. Islam's reputation of promoting a strict and controlling government, female oppression, civil war, and terrorism is not completely correct. Islam is a rich and complex religion that is often misunderstood in the modern world. There have been many obstacles that have been faced. Islam wouldn't exist today with its leaders, the Crusades, and their empires. The most important leader was, of course, Muhammad. He basically set up Islam and preached and converted many to this religion. He insisted that it was wrong to build a private fortune but good to share wealth and create a society where the weak and vulnerable were treated with respect (51). Umar, Muhammad's second successor and father-in-law, was very important to Islam's history. He was originally opposed to Islam but converted right after he heard some verses from the Quran. Islam made its largest and fastest expansion under Umar's reign; the Muslim forces conquered Syria, Jerusalem, Egypt, Libya, Iraq, and armies of Persia. This period is often thought as the Golden Age of Islam. It was when Muslims were at the top of their regions social order and when Islam was the most pure for it had not yet been corrupted by power or privilege. There have been many other leaders that followed, and all of them have contributed to Islamic history. The Crusades were a series of wars that were started...
Words: 745 - Pages: 3
...Report on Religious Field Research: Islam April Erique Dr. Keyes REL 212 12/11/11 Even though, it’s one of the most popular religions throughout the world, I believe that Islam is difficult to understand. People have their opinions about Islam and its followers. Especially, after September 11, 2001, many Americans became either fearful or angry towards Muslims and assumed that the Islamic religion and entire community was to blame. It’s a bit like the discrimination that Japanese Americans felt after Pearl Harbor but there wasn’t really blame on their religious views and morals. Well, before I actually had Muslim friends and acquaintances, I didn’t know much about the religion either. The good thing is that I wasn’t raised to be stereotypical but I did have a few ideas of the Islamic faith but I didn’t have any type of proof or reason behind it. One of the biggest misconceptions I had was that Muslims were against the belief of Jesus. Another big misconception I had with Islam was that all believers were Arab and was really only practiced in the Middle East. I also believed all Muslim women must stay covered up while in public and are believed to be beneath the men in their lives. Besides, women having limitations, I felt that it was a very strict religion in which the followers can’t drink, smoke, or partake in any type of promiscuous activities. As an outsider trying to catch a peek inside, I honestly had plenty of misconceptions of this...
Words: 1464 - Pages: 6
