Islam Vocabulary

Islam p37 p234

Muhammad (LFID) p37 p234

Muslims p37 p235

Qur’an p38 p236

Sunnah p38

Five Pillars p38 p236

Mecca p39 p236

Hajj p39 236

Islam

Background

The followers of Islam are called Muslims.

The word Islam means “peace through submission to the will of Allah”. They believe in one God “Allah”.

The religion was founded by Muhammad in 610 C.E.

They also accept the prophets of Judaism & Christianity.

Adam, Abraham, Moses, Noah, Jesus

Holy Book

Muslims follow the practices & teachings of the Qur’an (Islamic Holy Book),

The Qur’an was revealed to Muhammad to him by Allah over many years.

The goal of Islam is to reach Paradise.

Five Pillars of Islam

Islam is a direct simple faith, stressing the need to obey the will of Allah.

1. Belief (believing there is no deity but the One God, and Muhammad is the messenger)

2. Prayer (performing the prescribed prayers 5 times daily)

3. Charity (giving parts of one’s wealth to the poor, “giving alms”)

4. Fasting (refraining from food or drink from dawn to sunset through the month of Ramadan)

5. Pilgrimages (making at least one pilgrimage to Makkah or Mecca in one’s lifetime. This journey is called the “Hajj”).

Shari’ah Law

A set of practical laws to regulate their daily lives.

It is based on scholars interpretations of the Quran and the examples set by Muhammad in his life.

It regulates all aspects of Muslim life: family, business, government, and moral conduct.

Additional Information

Sunnah – Example set by Muhammad

Mosque – Islamic place of worship.

Imam – Islamic prayer leader.

Today: As of 2000 there were 1.1 billion followers of Islam.

Branches

Split in Islam;

Shi’ite – The Caliph should be a relative of Muhammad

Sunni – The Caliph is chosen. Sufi – Belief in Islam through meditation and

chanting.