Islam 101

Ahmed Mirza M.D

Naqshbandiya Foundation For Islamic Education

Mullah Nasruddin

A satirical sufi figure who lived during the 13th century in Greater Khorasanunder the Seljuq rule The stories are popular all over the world.UNESCO decided to call the year 1996-1997 International Nasreddin Hodja Year.

Freedom of Speech&Hate

World Muslims

• 1.2 billion, Muslims represent between 19.2% and 22% of the world's population.

• One of every five persons in the world is a Muslim

• Second largest religion in the world

World Distribution of Muslims

Africa 308,660,000 27.4%

Asia 778,362,000 69.1%

Europe 32,032,000 2.8%

Latin America 1,356,000 0.1%

North America 5,530,000 0.5%

World 1,126,325,000 100%

Source:  Britannica Yearbook, 1997

Africa 308,660,000 27.4%

Asia 778,362,000 69.1%

Europe 32,032,000 2.8%

Latin America 1,356,000 0.1%

North America 5,530,000 0.5%

World 1,126,325,000 100%

American Muslims

• 6 million (The New York Times, Feb. 21, 1989)

• About 40% Afro-American• Not all Muslims are Arabs,

Not all Arabs are Muslims

First Muslim Congressman

• Regarding his Muslim faith, he said, "people draw strength and moral courage from a variety of religious traditions."

• "Mine have come from both Catholicism and Islam. I was raised Catholic and later became a Muslim while attending Wayne State University. I am inspired by the Quran's message of an encompassing divine love, and a deep faith guides my life every day”.

The Basics of Faith

• Belief in One God (Allah)• Belief in Prophethood• Belief in Divine Books • Belief in Angels• Belief in Life after Death and the Day

of Judgment, Heaven and Hell

Prophets and Scriptures• PROPHETS: Adam, Noah, Abraham,

Ishmael, Ishaq, Jacob (Israel), Joseph, Benjamin, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Zakareya, John, Jesus, Muhammad (peace be on them)

• DIVINE BOOKS: Torah, Zabur (Psalms), Injeel (Gospel), Quran

• Belief in ALL prophets of God• Source of All Books is God• Main Message of all Prophets: Islam

Quran: The Holy Book

• Original intact as given by the Prophet in Arabic

• 23 Years of Revelations (610 - 632 C.E.)

• 114 Chapters; One Chapter, Multiple Revelations

• Chapter (Surah) names

• Historic Context matters

• Verses Explain Verses

• Commentary needed in the light of Arabic, History, and Sunnah

Quran:Teachings

• • Sincerity, Responsibility and Integrity• • Honesty, Truthfulness• • Keeping of Commitments• • Justice and Fair Dealing• • Discipline and Self Control• • Humility, Patience and Endurance• • Kindness, Helpfulness and Cooperation• • Charity, Generosity and Hospitality• • Consideration and Good Manners• • Brotherliness, Warmth and Love• • Striving and Hard Work• • Love of Knowledge

Sunnah and Hadith

• Approvals, disapprovals of the Prophet

• Compiled in separate books, known as Hadith books, after the death of the Prophet

• Classified from authentic to false.

Worship and Obedience

• Prayers (Salah)• Charity (Zakat)• Fasting ( Ramadan)• Pilgrimage (Hajj)• Any act done according to Quran and

Sunnah to please God

Prayers (Salah)

• Five Daily Prayers from Dawn to Late Evening regulate a Muslim’s day

• Prayers involve ablution, standing, bowing, prostrating, sitting postures

• Face Kabah, prayers in Arabic as taught by the Prophet.

• Additional Prayers optional

Charity (Zakat)

• 024.056 So establish regular Prayer and give regular Charity; and obey the Apostle; that ye may receive mercy. (The Quran)

• Required 2.5% charity on yearly savings

• A Muslim must be a charitable person• Removing a stone from the road is

charity• Greeting with a smile is a charity

Fasting

• O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint. (The Quran 002.183 )

• Ramadan is 9th month in Islamic Lunar calendar

• Daily dawn to sunset fast for 29/30 days (no food or drink)

• Eidul-Fitr Holiday at the end

Hajj (Pilgrimage)

• Pilgrimage to Makkah once in life time for able Muslims

• About 2-3 million Muslims perform Hajj each year from all over the world.

• Eidul-Adha: the biggest Muslim Holiday

Human Equality in Islam

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "No Arab has any superiority over a non-

Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab. Nor does a white man have any superiority over a black man, or the black man any superiority over the white man. You are all the children of Adam, and Adam was created from clay"

Justice in Islam"Do not let your hatred of a people incite you to

aggression." (Quran 5:2)

"And do not let ill-will towards any folk incite you so that you swerve from dealing justly. Be just; that is nearest to heedfulness." (Quran 5:8)

‘Oh you who believe, stand up firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even if it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be against rich or poor; for God can best protect both. Do not follow any passion, lest you not be just. And if you distort or decline to do justice, verily God is well-acquainted with all that you do.’” (Quran 4:135)

Suicide is a Grave Sin

O ye who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities: But let there be amongst you Traffic and trade by mutual good-will: Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily God has been to you Most Merciful! (Quran, 4:29)

Islamic Art

Inn’Llaha jamilun,yuhibbu

‘l-jamal

Verily God is beautiful&He loves

beauty

Islamic Art

“The idea dominating all Islamic Art is that

of Unity. The world manifests

Divine Unity in multiple mode,”

Unity in Multiplicity” mirrors Multiplicity in

Unity”Titus Burckhardt

Questions and Answers

Surah Al-Fatehah(Chapter 1: The Opening)

1. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

2. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;

3. Most Gracious, Most Merciful;

4. Master of the Day of Judgment.

5. Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.

6. Show us the straight way,

7. The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.