MAJOR RELIGION // LESSON - 3 // ISLAM //

LESSON – 3

ISLAM

I. Introduction

The word ‘Islam’ simply means submission to God, and a Muslim is one who follows the laws of Islam. The revelation of Islam was given to Muhammad who is revered by Muslims as the greatest prophet. ‘Muhammad’ is not just a name but a title which means ‘The Praised One’. The message of Islam was revealed to the prophet Muhammad. It was revealed through angel Gabriel and was preserved in the Qur’an. The key message of Islam is the unity of God, that the creator of the world is one and He alone is worthy of worship and that Muhammad is His Messenger and Servant. The follower of this belief is called a Muslim. Muslims also believe in God’s angels, all the prophets, from Adam to Jesus, the Day of Judgment and the Decree of God.

II. The Founder: Muhammad Paigambar

Islam began with the ministry of the prophet Muhammad (A.D. 570-632), who belonged to a merchant family in the trading town of Mecca in Arabia. Muhammad was born AD 570 in Mecca (Makkah), Saudi Arabia. His father died before he was born and he was a member of the Hashim clan of the powerful Quraysh tribe. Muhammad’s mother, Amina, died when he was only six years old. Muhammad went to live with his grandfather, who was the guardian of the Ka’aba. Sadly, 2 years later his grandfather also died and from the age of Eight Muhammad was brought up by his uncle, Abu Talib, from the tribe of Quraysh, who was a merchant along the camel trade routes. Muhammad was a very religious person.

As a youth, he grew up during a time of economic unrest and discontent concerning this vast dfference between the rich and the poor. Pagan worship abounded in Arabia, as there were an estimated 360 gods and goddesses to appease. Muslim historians record that even as a boy Muhammad detested idol worship and lived a morally pure life.

Muhammad was employed by Khadija, a wealthy widow, to manage her caravan trade. He became known as ‘Al-Amin’, the trustworthy one, and was a prominent member of the trade guild of Mecca.

At the age of twenty five he married Khadija and they had six children. Five of them died, except the oungest daughter Fatima. Muhammad and Khadija were married for twenty five years. After Khadija died, Muhammad endorsed polygamy and married several wives. At the age of forty, he became concerned about the state of his fellow countrymen and spent much of his time in mediation on religious matters. During his life, Muhammad had met many Christian priests and Jews who taught Muhammad many aspects of their religious customs.

During the month of Ramadan, Muhammad often retreated to a cave on the slopes of Mount Hira, three miles from Mecca. It was during one of these times when Muhammad was forty years old, he received his first revelation from God through angel Gabriel. These revelations continued for twenty three years and they are basis of the Qur’an and the book of ‘Hadiths’. The Hadith is the teachings of Muhammad and is an important part of the life of a Muslim.

Muhammad proclaimed that the Qur’an was the final and superior revelation from the One Supreme God. He banned the worship of idols, and taught that a Muslim’s life must be wholly committed to Allah with ritual washing before the five daily times of prayer facing Mecca. Friday was appointed as the day for corporate worship at the mosque. After 620 AD, he publicly preached the message of these visions, stressing the oneness of God (Allah), denouncing the polytheism of his fellow Arabs, and calling for moral up liftment of the population. A dedicated group of followers followed him. There was intense  opposition from the leaders of the city, who profited from pilgrimage trade to the shrine called the Ka’aba.

In 622 AD, God commanded Muhammad and his followers to migrate in the town of Yathrib (now renamed Medina) 260 miles to the north and set up a new center of preaching and opposition to the leadership of Mecca. This move is known as the hijrah or hegira, marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar and the origin of the new religion of Islam. After a series of military engagements. Muhammad and his followers were able to defeat the authorities in Mecca and return after several years to take control of the city. Muhammad died in AD 632 in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

III. The Khalifas

After the death of Muhammad, his followers were in state of shock for some time and then they planned to appoint a successor so that Islam may continue to spread and grow.

Muhammad’s close companions from the Quraysh tribe agreed to have Abu Bakr (AD 632-634) as their leader. After much arguments and discussion the people of Medina also agreed to accept him. Abu Bakr became the first khalifa. Before his death Muhammad was to order an expedition against Syria. Abu Bakr upon assuming office decided to proceed with the expedition. After his success, he sent forces all over Arabia and within one year compelled all Arab tribes to return to Islam.

Abu Bakr had nominated his successor Umar (AD 634-644) and after his death. Umar took control; he pushed forward the Muslim conquests. After ruling for ten years, he was stabbed by a Persian slave. Uthman (AD 644-656) was accepted as the third khalifa. Uthman showed favoritism to the members of his own family and put Umayyyads in all important positions. So people began to hate him and were dissatisfied. The rebel forces from Kufa. Basra and Egypt attacked Uthman in Medina and slew him. The people of Medina elected Ali (AD 656-661) as Khalifa. He appointed governors from his own tribe. Ths displeased the Arabs and Quraysh tribes. Unfortunately Ali had not understood the principle of equality of Islam because following that principle would have gone well with everyone. Ali was conscious of the fact that he was the son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad. Due to his weaknesses in administration, favoritism, and failure to hold people together Ali along with his contenders were assassinated. People said that Khalifas were ruling for temporal power and so they refused to have anymore Khalifas.

IV. The Scripture of Islam

The Qur’an is the revealed word of God and is the primary source of every Muslim’s faith and practice. The Qur’an (Koran) is the scripture of the Muslims, which was revealed by the angel Gabriel to the prophet Muhammad. According to tradition he was unlettered. Gabriel recited its verses to Muhammad, who in turn taught them to his followers. They memorized them and wrote them down on leaves and scraps of paper. They were collected into the text of the Qur’an within a generation after the prophet’s death. The Qur’an contains 114 Suras, arranged in order of decreasing length. The Qur’an was revealed in Arabic, and a translation into any other language cannot convey the holiness of the Arabic Qur’an. The Qur’an exists in the Arabic in which it was revealed. The Qur’an deals with everything, every subject that is of concern to human beings. Its theme is the relationship between God and His creature.

V. Teachings and Beliefs of Islam

1. Allah (God)

Islam believes in the reality and authenticity of one God, Allah. Allah, is one, Almighty, transcendent Creator of the universe, unique, sovereign, all powerful, benevolent, gracious and merciful to all Muslims and the Judge. Allah is an Arabic word which means that God is the one and only true God who created the whole universe. There are ninety nine names associated with Allah, including the compassionate and merciful one. The Tasbih is a Muslim rosary that has ninety nine beads on a string which remind a person of the beautifulness of Allah. This word cannot be used to designate anybody else. The word Allah occurs about 2,150 times in the Qur’an. Islam proclaims Allah, the one God, and the Creator, who is sovereign and good, who answers prayers, and who works with mankind in history by calling prophets to proclaim God’s word. Qur’an describes Allah as: “He is God, the One, God, to Whom the creatures turn for their needs. He begets not, nor was He begotten, and there is none like Him.” He has power over all things and He is able to do everything. He is far removed from all injustice and tyranny.

No physical representation of God is allowed. There are no other gods. The duty of humanity is to profess the simple testimony: “There is no god but God (Allah), and Muhammad is his prophet.” Obedience to God’s will rests on following the example of the Prophet in one’s own life and faithfulness to the revelations collected into the sacred text, the Qur’an.

The prophets are God’s intermediaries to humanity, and Muhammad (570-632) is the Seal of the prophets. The prophets: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Moses, and many other delivered God’s message to people. Each of them had specific missions, but their messages are one: submit the self to the will of God. Jesus is one of the prophets before and after him. The Qur’an revealed to Muhammad, is the perfect and accurate record of God’s message by the prophets of every age.

2. Angels

Muslims believe in the existence of the angels and spirits. Since God is transcendent and too holy for human beings, angels serve as intermediaries between Allah and his people. Even prophet Muhammad could not have direct contact with Allah and therefore Gabriel is the angel who brought down the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad. Angels do not eat or drink, no free will but their main duty is to praise God and carry out His commands day and night. Since they always do the right, they do not stand before the judgment seat of God. There are archangels such as Gabriel (Jibrail( There are ministering angels like Ridwan in paradise. There are various categories of angels with specific duties. The angels worship God alone, obey Him and act only according to His command. Angels maintain record of the conduct of human beings for the last judgment.

Muslims also believe in the fallen angel Satan known as Iblis and his companions. He refused to obey the command of God and bow down before the first man Adam. Allah hurled him from heaven for his disobedience. Iblis is the ruler of the hell. Muslims believe in the Jinns. The Jinns are said to have been created from fire. They can be both good and evil.

3. The Qur’an and the Sacred Books

Muslims strive to learn the Qur’an by heart and refer to it as and when necessary. They refer to it for teachings about God. Angles, the prophets, resurrection and the day of judgment and the doctrine of Heaven and Hell. The Qur’an contains the revelation and will of God. It is the foundation of Islamic faith and life.

Muslims believe in the sacredness and the authority of other scriptures such as the Torah of the Jews, the Gospel (Injil) of Jesus, and they believe in the Qur’an as the most sacred. It is believed that parts of the Qur’an were revealed to Muhammad’s predecessors to Adam ten portions, to his son Seth fifty portions, to Adris (Enoch) thirty portions, to Abraham (Ibrahim), ten portions were revealed. The Taurat (Torah) was revealed to Moses (Moosa), the Zabur (Psalms) were revealed to David (Dawood), the Injil (Gospel) was revealed to Jesus and the Qur’an was revealed to Muhammad.

4. Prophets

Muslims believe in the prophets as the messenger of God carrying the message of God to the people. They admit that there have been prophets like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ismael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and Jesus. They believe that Muhammad is the last and final prophet of God and his message is to be respected by all people. Muslims believe that the prophets and messengers were created human beings and they did not have any divine qualities of God. Rasul Muhammad declared that 124000 prophets were sent to the various people at different times. The Qur’an names twenty five prophets who were sent to the Jews and later on three prophets were added from the New Testament. Abraham and Moses are mentioned prominently and Jesus has been mentioned at least twenty five times in the Qur’an. Muhammad is referred to as the rasul, which means a messenger or an apostle. He is the last and final prophet of God to all mankind. God’s eternal message was revealed to the prophet Muhammad, who was the last prophet sent by God. “Muhammad is not the father of any one of your men, but he is the messenger of God and the last of the prophets…” among the prophets some important ones are Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. Jesus is referred to as messiah, spirit, prophet, sign, and witness, righteous and blessed. Though they believe in the virgin birth of Jesus, they do not believe him as the Son of God incarnate.

5. Day of Judgment

Muslims believe in the Day of Judgment. They believe in life after death comprising of the resurrection of the dead on the Day of Judgment and retribution of reward and punishment by Allah to heaven or hell. Heaven is regarded as the permanent abode of the righteous and the evil doers will be pushed into hell after their death. The Muslim eschatology is similar to Jewish and Christian doctrine of last things. Muhammad preached that the final judgment will come but did not give a date of it. On this day the whole universe will be destroyed and all people will be resurrected for God’s judgment. God will judge them according to their beliefs and deeds. All people will be rewarded or punished by God according to their beliefs and deeds. Those who believe, that there is no true god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger (prophet) of God, and are Muslims, will be rewarded on that day and will be admitted to Paradise. That life in the hereafter is the real life.

Muslims believe that one the Day of Judgment trumpet will be sounded by angel Israfil and the dead will rise from their graves to stand before the judgment throne of Allah. It is held that Moses and Jesus would advocate for mercy for their followers, but God will hear the petition for mercy of Prophet Muhammad alone for the Muslims.

6. Predestination (Taqdir)

Muslims believe in the absolute decree of God and the divine predestination of both the good and evil. Surah 3:145 states, “No one dies unless Allah permits. The term of every life is fixed.” At the same time, this Surah holds that God is omnipotent to reverse His own decree and that He has endowed humans with free will.

Human beings have their freewill. Muslim faith subscribes to freewill of human beings and indicates that people can choose between right and wrong but they are held responsible for their choices. Divine predestination includes belief in what four things: (a) God knows everything. He knows in advance what will happen. (b) God records everything that has happened and that which will happen. (c) Everything happens according to the will of God. If e wills something not to happen, it will not happen. (d) God is the creator of everything. Some people object to this doctrine but the faithful believe that it is an expression of gratitude to God that He saves man out of His mercy and supreme compassion. Hence the doctrine of predestination is the expression of faith, trust and complete surrender to the will of God. Surrender to the will of God is the meaning of Islam and one has to be faithful to Allah even a Muslim is sent to the hell.

VI. Five Pillars of Islam

Islam prescribes five duties that muslim is required to perform. The Islamic faith is lived out according to five pillars that must be adhered to if one is to hope for alvation.

1. Reciting the Creed (Shahada)

The testimony of faith is saying with conviction, “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah” meaning, “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet”. Confession of faith in God and in Muhammad as God’s messenger is the testimony of faith for every Muslim. Only God has the right to be worshipped is the statement called the Shahada.

2. Prayer (Salat)

Muslims perform prayers at five appointed times daily. Each prayer does not take more than few minutes to perform. Prayer is the direct link between God and the worshippers in Islam. Prayers are offered at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and at night. A Muslim may pray at any place.

3. Almsgiving (Zakat)

Paying an alms-tax and giving charity to the poor. Both obligatory and voluntary giving to the poor. Muslims believe that all things belong to God and wealth is given by God to human beings in trust. The word Zakat means, “Purification” and “growth”. Giving Zakat means giving a certain percentage on certain properties to certain classes of needy people. A specified amount according to Muslim teaching, set aside is purified by setting it aside for people in need and this cutting in balance will encourage new growth in one’s income. Apart from this a person may give voluntarily as much as he/she pleases.

4. Fasting (Saum)

During the holy month of Ramadan (Ramazan) Muslims fast from dawn until sundown, abstaining from food, drink and sexual relations. Apart from being beneficial to health, fasting is a method of spiritual purification as well. B fasting, one indicates his/her identity with the needy and hungry and contribute to one’s growth in spiritual life.

 

 

5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)

At least once in a lifetime obligation to the holy city of Mecca and its sacred shrine, the Kaaba for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. It is estimated that about two million people go to Mecca every year from all over the world. The annual Hajj is performed in the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. Male pilgrims wear special simple clothes which strip  away distinctions and culture so that all stand equal before God. Then at Arafa the pilgrims stand and ask God their wishes and for His forgiveness, remembering the Day of Judgment.

Jihad

Scholars have suggested that to the five pillars of Islam, the sixth pillar of Jihad or holy war may be added. But it is not one of the pillars of Islam. Jihad literally means, “striving or struggle”. It is understood to mean, readiness to give even one’s life for the sake of Allah and his message. In other words, it means, readiness for a religious war. Surah 5:5 calls upon the Muslims to declare Jihad against the Jews and the Christians. The Surah 5:9 asks Muslims to declare Jihad against all atheists who do not accept Islam. Muslims are also allowed declare Jihad in self defence Surah 2:190. All those Muslims who lay down their lives in these religious wars are regarded as martyrs who go to Paradise immediately Surah 2:154; 3:169,195. According to Muslim belief, every male Muslim is under the obligation to share in the struggle to spread Islam. It was important duty among the first Muslim community I Medina. However, over the centuries this duty has declined in importance. In times of danger, Muslims use Jihad to rouse the religious sentiments of Muslims and rouse them to action. They have resorted to this when non-Muslim nations have attacked Muslim states in war. Jihad is the sure way to enter paradise and win the approval of Allah.

 

VII. The Fourfold Foundation

1. The Qur’an

Muslims accept four fundamental principles as the foundations of their faith and law. For Muslims the verdict of the Qur’an is final in all theological and legal matters. They believe that what lies between the two covers of the Qur’an is the Word of God. There are other books that Allah had revealed to his prophets in former times. The law (Tawrat) was given to Moses, Psalms (Zabur) to David and the Gospel (Injil) to Jesus. In their present form, however, these books have been perverted by their followers. Qur’an is the only true scripture, inspired to the last word.

2. Sunna

The Qur’an was not exhaustive enough to cover all points of law and doctrine and the requirements of daily life. Hence, the fine example of the prophet, his custom was accepted as the second root of Islam. Hadith or Sunna is a large collection of legal provisions, religious obligations which include the duties of the five pillars of Islam and farz which is necessary duties. There are duties which are permitted or allowed known as halal and duties that are forbidden known as haram especially regarding ritual purity and laws pertaining to food.

3. Qiyas

Muslim scholars refer to the approval of the prophet for the use of analogical reason whenever necessary.

4. Ijma

There have been situations in the history of the Muslims when the Qur’an, the Sunna, or Qiyas was adequate to guide for conduct in difficult situations. In such cases they found a way out in Ijma (consensus). Ijma does not mean the agreement of the people as whole but the verdict of the Ulema, the doctors of law.

VIII. Groups and Sects of Islam

Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam is reported to have stated that his followers will be divided into 72 groups after his time. Serious scholars of Islam say that there are more than 72 groups and sects among Muslims today. So, after Muhammad died, a division arose over succession to the prophet. The division between Sunni and Shia dates back to purely political struggles in the seventh century, but over time between the two major communities many divisive differences in ritual and legal interpretations have evolved.

1. Sunni

Sunni Muslims revere the Sunna, the teaching of Muhammad based upon Hadith, the traditions and sayings of the prophet Muhammad as recollected and transmitted by his companions. Most of the hadith deals with the specifics of Islamic law, but some speak of matters of faith, morality, and eschatology.

The vast majority of Muslims is Sunni, and in contemporary India 90 percent of Muslims follows this path. Regulation of the Muslim community rets primarily on rules in the Qur’an, then on authenticated accounts of the conduct of the prophet Muhammad, then on reasoning and finally on the consensus of opinion.

2. Shia or Shi’ite

 The Shi’ites, who primarily live in Iran consider themselves as authentic Muslims. The Shi’ite Muslims believe in a tradition of honorable martyrdom and in times of crisis the need to employ strong action including holy war. According to Shi’ite beliefs the government of a nation should be a theocracy, a government ruled by God through the Imam (a spiritual leader).

The Shi’ite Muslims have their collections of Hadith which differ only in minor details from the Sunni collections. But these do not have the authority of the Sunna. Shi’ite islam is its reverence for Ali, the son-in-law of Muhammad, who became the fourth Khalifa and ruled the Muslim people for seven years until his death as a martyr. Ali is regarded as the perfect exemplar of Islam. Ali was assassinated at Kufa, his elder son Hasan was poisoned and his younger son Hussain was cruelly killed at Karbala by the order of Yazid the usurper whom the Shi’ites call the polluted. The tombs of Ali at Najaf and Hussain at karbala have become sacred places of pilgrimage for the Shi’ites. The matter of succession has caused a schism between the Shi’ites and the Sunnis. There are considerable hostilities between them. The Shi’ites are also called the Imamiyyas because they give the successor of Muhammad the title of Imam and not khalifa. There are also many doctrinal differences between the Sunnis and Shi’ites.

IX. Festivals of Islam

Muslims celebrate festivals during the year. They follow the Lunar calendar. There are of different types. Some commemorate historical events, some of festivals of joy and others are solemn.

1. Baqrid or Idul-Adha

This is considered to be the most important festival of Muslims. The meaning of it is feast of sacrifice. Actually the word Baqar means cow because in some countries cows are offered as sacrifice during the celebration of this festival but in India, Muslims sacrifice goats or sheep on this day. This festival is celebrated on the tenth day of Dhu’l Hijah, the twelfth month of Muslim calendar. It is during this month that Muslims from all over the world gather in Mecca for their annual pilgrimage hajj and offer as part of the concluding rites of this festival and simultaneously by Muslims everywhere. The authority for this sacrifice is an injection in the Qur’an (22:32-37). This festival commemorates the occasion when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael to a place near the Kaaba. They thank God for providing the ram to save the life of Ishmael.

2. Idu’l Fiter (Ramzan)

Idu’l Fiter is the festival of the breaking of the fast of Ramadan. It begins at the end of the end of the one month fast of Ramadan, on the first appearance of the new moon heralding the tenth month, Shawwal. The appearance of the moon is declared by a prearranged signal. It is a time of relief and rejoicing and they greet other saying, “chand Mubarak” (a happy moon to you).

3. Muharram

It is celebrated during the first month of Muslim calendar. The Shi’ites observes this as days of mourning for the martyrdom of Ali and his sons Hasan and Hussain. Sunni Muslims give special importance to this festival.