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World Religions Lesson 10: Islam. Islam Today: Demographics. There are an estimated 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide Approximately 1/5 th of the world's population Growth without missionary efforts. Islam Today: Demographics. Where Do Muslims Live? Only 18% of Muslims live in the Arab world
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Islam Today: Demographics • There are an estimated 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide • Approximately 1/5th of the world's population • Growth without missionary efforts
Islam Today: Demographics Where Do Muslims Live? • Only 18% of Muslims live in the Arab world • 20% are found in Sub-Saharan Africa • 30% in the South Asian region of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh • The world's largest single Muslim community is in Indonesia • The Top 9: 1) Indonesia, 2) Pakistan, 3) Bangladesh, 4) India, 5) Turkey, 6) Iran, 7) Egypt, 8) Nigeria, and 9) China
Two Main Braches of Islam • There are two main branches of Islam today • Sunnirecognize the male heirs of the first 4 elected (according to Muhammad's instruction) caliphs (or spiritual heads) after Muhammad’s death • Shiite recognize the decedents of only the 4th caliphs—Ali (M’s son-in-law & cousin), the only true descendent of Muhammad • In all other ways Sunni and Shiite are very similar
The Life of Muhammad:The early years • Muhammad was born in Mecca around the year 570 (A city of western Saudi Arabia) • Mecca was not a kind, friendly culture • These tribes all worshiped many different gods (polytheistic) • Muhammad began working as a merchant and was known for his trustworthiness • Muhammad and Khadija (wife) had 4 • daughters and 2 sons
The Life of Muhammad:The Visions and the Message • Fifteen years after his marriage, he began to have visions and hear mysterious voices • When Muhammad was about 40 years old an angel appeared to him in the form of a man • This revelation was soon followed by others about the one true God • Unlike Jesus (who Christians believe was God's son) Muhammad was a mortal, albeit with extraordinary qualities • He preached a strong social justice message about equality and poverty
The Life of Muhammad:The Trouble • Muhammad slowly began to attract some followers, most of them young and of modest social standing • The ruling elite feared Muhammad and his followers and began to persecute them
The Life of Muhammad:Conclusion • Muhammad's life was cut short by his sudden death on June 8, 632 at about 60 years old • Within 100 years, Islam spread across the world, occupying more territory than the Roman Empire
Koran (or the Qur'an) The Qur'an is the sacred book of Islam and the perfect word of God for the Muslim. It is claimed that the Qur'an was dictated in Arabic by the angel Gabriel to Muhammad and were God's precise words. As such, it had preexisted from eternity in heaven with God as the "Mother of the Book" and was in that form uncreated and coeternal with God. Islam teaches that it contains the total and perfect revelation and will of God.
Koran (or the Qur'an) The Qur'an is about four-fifths the length of the New Testament and is divided into 114 "surahs" or chapters. While Islam respects the Torah, the psalms of David and the four Gospels, the Qur'an stands alone in its authority and absoluteness. It is believed to be most perfectly understood in Arabic and it is a religious obligation to seek to read and quote it in the original language.
The Five Pillars The believer worships God directly without the intercession of priests or clergy or saints. The believer's duties are summed up in five simple rules, the so-called Five Pillars of Islam:
The Five Pillars 1. The Confession of Faith or Shahada: It is the declaration that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet. Sincerity in the voicing of the confession is necessary for it to be valid. It must be held until death and repudiation of the Shahada nullifies hope for salvation.
The Five Pillars 2. Prayer: Five times a day, preceded by ceremonial washing, the Muslim is required to pray facing Mecca. Specific formulas, recited from the Qur'an (in Arabic), along with prostrations are included. Prayer is, in this sense, an expression of submission to the will of Allah. While most of Islam has no hierarchical priesthood, prayers are led in mosques by respected lay leaders. The five times of prayer are before sunrise, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and prior to sleep.
The Five Pillars 3. Almsgiving: The Qur'an teaches the giving of two and one-half percent of one's capital wealth to the poor and/or for the propagation of Islam. By doing so, the Muslims' remaining wealth is purified.
The Five Pillars 4. The Fast: During the course of the lunar month of Ramadan, a fast is to be observed by every Muslim from sunrise to sunset. Nothing is to pass over the lips during this time, and they should refrain from sexual relations. After sunset, feasting and other celebrations often occur. The daylight hours are set aside for self-purification. The month is used to remember the giving of the Qur'an to Muhammad.
The Five Pillars 5. Pilgrimage: All Muslims who are economically and physically able are required to journey as a pilgrim to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrim's required simple dress stresses the notion of equality before God. Another element of is the mandatory walk of each pilgrim 7 times Around the shrine of the black rock, the holiest site of Islam. Muhammad taught that the Kaabah was the original place of worship for Adam and later for Abraham.
