Reading: Islam 101

Christian History Magazine, Issue 74

ISLAM 101 by James A. Beverley

Basics of a foreign faith

THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

1. Shahadah: Confession of faith. "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger."

2. Salat: Prayer. All Muslims are to pray five times every day, facing Mecca.

3. Zakat: Tithing. Muslims must give at least 2.5 percent of their total wealth to the poor and needy.

4. Sawm: Fasting. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims are to refrain from food, water, and sex from sunrise to sunset.

5. Hajj: Pilgrimage. If at all possible, at least once in a lifetime Muslims are to travel to Mecca to engage in rituals of prayer and worship at the central shrine in Islam's holiest city.

THE QUR'AN

• The Qur'an, in Arabic, is the perfect Word of Allah.
• The Qur'an contains 114 chapters, or suras.
• Muslims believe that the Qur'an was revealed to Muhammad by the archangel Gabriel.
• The Qur'anic material was composed from 610 through Muhammad's death in 632.
• The final compilation was completed about 650.

THE PROPHET

• Most Muslims believe that Muhammad was sinless, but not divine.
• Most Muslims believe that the prophet was illiterate.
• The prophetic status of Muhammad is not to be questioned.
• Muhammad provides the greatest example for all aspects of life.
• The traditions about the prophet are known as hadith.
• Allah gave the prophet permission to have 12 wives.

OTHER MAJOR MUSLIM BELIEFS

• Islam started with Adam, not with Muhammad.
• People are saved by the will of God through obedience to God's law, Shari'ah.
• Though humans are imperfect, they are not fallen through original sin.
• Those chosen by God for salvation will enter paradise. Only God knows whom he has chosen.
• The damned will burn in eternal torment in Hell.
• All countries and peoples should follow Islam and Islamic law.
• Muslims are to engage in jihad, which usually means private spiritual struggle.
• Jihad sometimes demands defense of Muslim territory and military aggression.
• God will restore the world at the end of time through a coming human leader known as the Mahdi.
• Muslim males can marry up to four wives.

MUSLIM GROUPS

Almost 90 percent of Muslims belong to the Sunni tradition.
Shi'ite Islam is popular in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and several Persian Gulf states.
Sufi Islam represents the mystical path.
The Islam practiced in most Muslim countries is heavily influenced by local folk customs.

MUSLIM VIEWS OF JESUS

• Jesus was a prophet of God but not the Son of God. He was a lesser prophet than Muhammad.
• He was born of the virgin Mary.
• He performed many miracles.
• He was protected from a death of crucifixion.
• He did not rise from the dead.
• He ascended to heaven after his death, and he will return to earth.
• He was a faithful Muslim, or follower of Allah.