Islam

Notes by Trevor Mander, BSc, MDiv, DipTchg.

History

Founder: Muhammad (AD 570-632)

Date of origin: AD622.

Adherents: About 1 billion.

Basic Beliefs

1. Allah

One God, self-existant, without equal or partner, who created and maintains the world.

Islam: Submission to the will of Allah.

Muslim: One who submits.

Fatalism: Determinism.

Nominalistic view of ethics.

2. Creation and Man

Man is basically good and has freedom of choice.

Sin is not linked to man’s nature.

Man is, however, weak, frail, imperfect, and constantly forgetful of God.

Nominalistic view of ethics.

Angels are servants of God, and keep a record of all good deeds and sins.

3. Muhammad and the Prophets

Muhammad is the final and greatest prophet of God.

Other prophets: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.

4. The Qur’an

The holiest book of Islam.

God’s final revelation to Man that supersedes all others.

Written in Heaven in Arabic, passed on to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel.

114 Suras (chapters).

Also recognise (but consider them corrupted) the Law of Moses, Psalms of David, Gospel of Jesus.

5. Endtimes and Salvation

A terrible day on which each person’s good and bad deeds will be balanced, to determine eternity in Heaven or Hell. God reserves the absolute right to send individuals to whichever he pleases.

Religious Practices – Five Pillars of Islam

1. Confession - shahadah.

“There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.”

2. Prayer - salat.

17 complete prayers each day. Praying five times each day.

3. Fasting - sawm.

Receiving the Qur’an. Ninth lunar month of Ramadhan.

4. Almsgiving - zakat.

2.5% to the poor and needy.

5. Pilgrimage to Mecca - hajj.

Wearing a white ihram to eliminate class distinctions.

Some Muslims have also added jihad, an exertion in the cause of God or a holy war, as a sixth pillar of Islam.