Founding Story
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Muslims believe that Islam is a faith that has always existed and that it was gradually revealed to humanity by a number of prophets, but the final and complete revelation of the faith was made through the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century CE. Muhammad was born in Mecca in Saudi Arabia in 570. He was a deeply spiritual man, and often spent time in meditation on Mount Hira. One night in 610 he was meditating in a cave on the mountain when he was visited by the Angel Gabriel who ordered him to recite. Once Jibreel mentioned the name of Allah, Muhammad began to recite words which he came to believe were the words of God. During the rest of his life Muhammad continued to receive these revelations. The words were remembered and recorded, and form the text of the Holy Qu'ran. There is no God but Allah, and that life should be lived in complete submission to the will of Allah, was attractive to many people, and they flocked to hear Muhammad's popularity was seen as threatening by the people in power in Mecca, and Muhammad took his followers on a journey from Mecca to Medina in 622. This journey is called the Hijrah (migration) and the event was seen as so important for Islam that 622 is the year in which the Islamic calendar begins. Within ten years Muhammad had gained so many followers that he was able to return and conquer Mecca. From this time on he was generally accepted by the faithful as the true final Prophet of God. Muhammad continued to lead his community both spiritually and in earthly matters until his death in 632.
Classification:
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Islam is a monotheistic religion. There is no God but Allah . He is who created the world, the universe, and the people. Everyone must follow God and the rules set upon the people.
Key figures:
Muhammad- The holy prophet of Allah and founder of Islam. He spread his teachings and started the very big religion of Islam. He is often referred to as the messenger of God.
Jesus- To Muslims, Jesus was no the messiah but he was a very holy prophet to Muslims. He was one of the many prophets who spread the word of God.
Angel Gabriel- Was the angel who went to Muhammad , he was the one who made him recite the words of Allah, hence starting the religion.
Moses- was a very important person to the Jewish. Moses- Was born in the 13 century B.C. Around this time, the kind (Pharaoh) ordered that every son born of a Hebrew woman should be cast to the Nile River. ( at the time Hebrews were slaves for the Egyptians). His mother hid him for months but then sent him in a basket down the Nile river hoping of the best. Then the daughter of the Pharaoh found him and took him . She raised him as her own and he became a very important prince. Then it is said that God told Moses to return and lead the Hebrews. Moses then asked the Pharaoh to let the Hebrews return to Canaan but he refused so God granted the ten plagues. The pharaoh finally released the Hebrews on the tenth Plague. God ordered the death angel to take every first born ( including the son of the Pharaoh) This day is known as Pesach.
Abgraham- Founder of Judaism ( Leading to Christianity), is the first person God talked to. He was the one who said that there was only 1 god, starting the monotheistic religions.
Jesus- To Muslims, Jesus was no the messiah but he was a very holy prophet to Muslims. He was one of the many prophets who spread the word of God.
Angel Gabriel- Was the angel who went to Muhammad , he was the one who made him recite the words of Allah, hence starting the religion.
Moses- was a very important person to the Jewish. Moses- Was born in the 13 century B.C. Around this time, the kind (Pharaoh) ordered that every son born of a Hebrew woman should be cast to the Nile River. ( at the time Hebrews were slaves for the Egyptians). His mother hid him for months but then sent him in a basket down the Nile river hoping of the best. Then the daughter of the Pharaoh found him and took him . She raised him as her own and he became a very important prince. Then it is said that God told Moses to return and lead the Hebrews. Moses then asked the Pharaoh to let the Hebrews return to Canaan but he refused so God granted the ten plagues. The pharaoh finally released the Hebrews on the tenth Plague. God ordered the death angel to take every first born ( including the son of the Pharaoh) This day is known as Pesach.
Abgraham- Founder of Judaism ( Leading to Christianity), is the first person God talked to. He was the one who said that there was only 1 god, starting the monotheistic religions.
Religious Authority:
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The Quran is the holy book for muslims . Its one of the most widely read books in the world.The believe that the Quran is the final message of God. Muslims believe in the Torah and the bible, but the Quran is essential the last chapter. The words in the Quran are said to be God’s words sent by the angel Gabriel to Muhammad. The Quran is written in Arabic.Many Muslims memorize as much as they can. The Quran is only handled those who have been “cleansed”. It is consisted 114 surahs (Chapters). IT teaches about God,teachings,prophets,values,life and death.
Core Beliefs:
Muslims believe in God (Allah). He created the world and the universe. There is no higher power than him. Muslims also believe that Muhammad was God's messenger. They must follow all the 5 Pillars and be devoted to God , as he is their creator.
Beliefs about Afterlife:
The Quran teaches that life is a test. Meaning that the people will either be reworded or punished for the actions made upon their whole lives. Those who all live devoting to God and following him will be rewarded with going to a paradise ( similar to christian belief Heaven) and those who deceived him and did not follow will burn in a fiery hell.
Rules/Guidelines for daily life:
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Five Pillars of Islam: Are five formal acts all Muslims must do .
Pillar I The Shahada- The belief that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
Pillar II Salat- A prayer that Muslims recite to show their devotion to God. Muslims must pray 5 times a day. At dawn, midday,afternoon,sunset and at night. They prayers are said all the time except on Friday because they go to a mosque for a service ( 30 min to an hour)
Pillar III Zakat- Requires Muslims to purify themselves once a year by sharing a certain percentage of their assets with the needy. It is a reminder that all things come from and belong to Allah. It is almost a task, you must help the needy because everyone is Allah's children.
Pillar IV Fasting-Every year in the month of Ramadan all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. Although the fast is beneficial to health, it is regarded principally as a method of spiritual self-purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry, as well as growth in his or her spiritual life.
Pillar V Pilgrimage to Makkah- The annual pilgrimage to Makkah is an obligation once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. About two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe. Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj is performed in the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. Male pilgrims wear special simple clothes which strip away distinctions of class and culture so that all stand equal before God
hijab- is the head covering that many Muslim women wear to show respect for others and themselves, as well as modesty. Hijab however goes beyond the head scarf ( or complete covering of everything except the hands, face and feet in long, loose and non see-through garments). Muslim women are required to observe the hijab in front of any man they could theoretically marry. This means that hijab is not obligatory in front of the father, brothers, grandfathers, uncles or young children.
Hijab does not need to be worn in front of other Muslim women.
Pillar I The Shahada- The belief that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
Pillar II Salat- A prayer that Muslims recite to show their devotion to God. Muslims must pray 5 times a day. At dawn, midday,afternoon,sunset and at night. They prayers are said all the time except on Friday because they go to a mosque for a service ( 30 min to an hour)
Pillar III Zakat- Requires Muslims to purify themselves once a year by sharing a certain percentage of their assets with the needy. It is a reminder that all things come from and belong to Allah. It is almost a task, you must help the needy because everyone is Allah's children.
Pillar IV Fasting-Every year in the month of Ramadan all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. Although the fast is beneficial to health, it is regarded principally as a method of spiritual self-purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry, as well as growth in his or her spiritual life.
Pillar V Pilgrimage to Makkah- The annual pilgrimage to Makkah is an obligation once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. About two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe. Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj is performed in the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. Male pilgrims wear special simple clothes which strip away distinctions of class and culture so that all stand equal before God
hijab- is the head covering that many Muslim women wear to show respect for others and themselves, as well as modesty. Hijab however goes beyond the head scarf ( or complete covering of everything except the hands, face and feet in long, loose and non see-through garments). Muslim women are required to observe the hijab in front of any man they could theoretically marry. This means that hijab is not obligatory in front of the father, brothers, grandfathers, uncles or young children.
Hijab does not need to be worn in front of other Muslim women.
Concept of a higher power:
Allah is God. He created the world an the universe. His people must follow his words and what his messenger, Muhammad said . Living their lives devoted to him and following their duties as a Muslim.
Key Holidays:
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims fast during daylight hours.
There are several reasons why Ramadan is considered important: The Qur'an was first revealed during this month, the gates of Heaven are open ,the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained up in Hell.
Al-Hijra: Islamic New YearAl-Hijra, the Islamic New Year, is celebrated on the first day of Muharram, the month in which Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE (the Hijra).
'Id Al-Fitr: Festival of Breaking the Fast
'Id Al-Fitr or Eid al-Fitr (Arabic for "Festival of the Breaking of the Fast") is one of Islam's two major festivals. It marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, and is celebrated during the first three days of the month of Shawwal.
'Id Al-Adha: Festival of the Sacrifice
'Id Al-Adha or Eid al-Adha (Arabic عيد الأضحى, "Festival of the Sacrifice") is a major Islamic festival that takes place at the end of the Hajj.
Ashura: Remembering Shiite Martyr Husayn
Ashura (also spelled Aashurah, ‘Ashurah or Aashoorah), is an Islamic holiday observed on the 10th of
Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year.
There are several reasons why Ramadan is considered important: The Qur'an was first revealed during this month, the gates of Heaven are open ,the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained up in Hell.
Al-Hijra: Islamic New YearAl-Hijra, the Islamic New Year, is celebrated on the first day of Muharram, the month in which Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE (the Hijra).
'Id Al-Fitr: Festival of Breaking the Fast
'Id Al-Fitr or Eid al-Fitr (Arabic for "Festival of the Breaking of the Fast") is one of Islam's two major festivals. It marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, and is celebrated during the first three days of the month of Shawwal.
'Id Al-Adha: Festival of the Sacrifice
'Id Al-Adha or Eid al-Adha (Arabic عيد الأضحى, "Festival of the Sacrifice") is a major Islamic festival that takes place at the end of the Hajj.
Ashura: Remembering Shiite Martyr Husayn
Ashura (also spelled Aashurah, ‘Ashurah or Aashoorah), is an Islamic holiday observed on the 10th of
Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year.
Sites and Symbols:
Sects and or branches
Sunnis and Shiites- Both believe in the fundamentals of Allah. They should follow their duties and devote themselves to Allah but their difference fall into political, ethnic, and history. After the prophet Muhammad died, there was a big conflict in which who was to rule after his death. Some said that only descendants of Muhammad could lead. They chose Abu Bakr, other's chose a man named Ali.