An Introduction to Islam
What do you
know about Islam?
Islam: Basic Definition
Islam is submission
to God through peace
Islam: Basic Definition
Anyone who submits to the will of God can be
considered a Muslim.
Muslims do not see their faith as different from the
original message of Moses and Jesus (Prayers and
peace be upon them)
May be little differences in rituals but beliefs are
essentially the same.
Basics of Islam
Beliefs
God
Angels
Books
Prophets
Day of Judgment
Pillars:
Declaration of faith (Shahada)
Prayer (Salat)
Fasting the month of Ramadan (Sawm)
Charity (Zakat)
Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)
Beliefs in Islam
Belief in God
Belief in one God who created the universe and who is
involved in running it.
The name of God in Arabic is “Allah”
The Arabic word Allah does not not have a plural
Arab Christians also call God “Allah”
God has 99 names (attributes)
The Merciful
The Benevolent
The Just
The Loving
Belief in the Angels
As Christians and Jews, Muslims believe in Angels
They are created from light
They always obey God
Gabriel is the greatest Angels for Muslims, and his
job is to convey the message of God to his prophets
The Belief in Books
The holy book of Muslims is the Quran
Muslims also believe that all the books revealed to
other prophets were the true word of God,
included:
Suhuf revealed to Abraham
Psalms revealed to David
Torah revealed to Moses
Injil (Gospel) revealed to Jesus
Muslims believe that these books are either missing
or have been changed
Belief in the Prophets
Muslims believe in all the prophets of God,
including: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and
Mohammad
All prophet are highly respected in Islam
After saying any prophet’s name we always say
“peace be upon him” as a sign of respect
Prophets in Islam are righteous people who receive
revelation from God, and are ordered to convey the
message to their people
Belief in the
Day of Judgment
Like Christians and Jews, Muslims believe in life
after death.
Basically in the day of judgment people will stand in
front of God Who will review their actions in this
life.
Based on their beliefs and the quality of their deeds
people will be sent to heaven or hell.
Pillars Islam
Testimony of Faith
I bear witness that there is no god worthy of
worship expect God (Allah) and I bear witness that
Mohammad (saws) is his prophet and messenger.
Shahada
Prayer
Muslims pray at least five times a day
Before sunrise (Fajr)
Zenith (Duhr)
Between zenith and sunset (Asr)
Sunset (Maghrib)
Night (Ishaa)
Prayer
Bowing (Ruku) Prostration (Sujud)
Fasting Ramadan
The month of Ramadan is ninth month of the
Muslims lunar calendar.
For 29 or 30 days, Muslims abstain from food and
drink from sunrise to sunset.
Muslims fast to:
To experience what poor people experience everyday
Become more spiritual
Get closer to God
Ramadan
Giving Zakat
Giving charity is an obligation upon all Muslims
Islam distinguishes between mandatory charity
(zakat) and voluntary charity.
Rate is for zakat is 2.5% of savings (A quarter for
every $10)
Objective is to help needy and eliminate poverty.
Zakat can be given to non Muslims
Zakat
Pilgrimage (Hajj)
Mecca is the first house of God built by Adam and
Eve.
It was rebuilt by our father Abraham and his son
Ishmael.
Muslims must visit Mecca at least once in their
lifetime.
Pilgrimage for Muslims is about equality in front of
God.
Kaaba
Pilgrimage (Hajj)
Pilgrimage (Hajj)
History of Islam
Facts
Islam started in Arabia in
610 CE when Prophet
Mohammad (SAWS)
received the first
revelation.
Even if Islam started in
Arabia, Arabs only
represent 20 to 25% of all
Muslims.
Today Islam counts 1.5
billion followers in all the
countries of the World:
5 million in France
2-8 million in the US
Islam in the World
Islam in Asia
Jakarta
Islam in the Middle East
Istanbul
Islam in the West
History of Islam
Muslim civilization contributed in many ways to the
world as we know it today:
Sciences: Chemistry, Algebra.
Medicine: Hospitals, Anesthesia, blood circulation
system.
Philosophy: Translated the work of Greek
philosophers.
Cities of Baghdad, Granada, Damascus were the
main destination for people seeking knowledge
Arabic was the language of scientific research.
Al-Andalus-Granada
Al-Andalus-Granada
Al-Andalus-Granada
Al-Andalus-Granada
First Modern Library
Founded between 754 and 775
Translated work published in
from different language into
Arabic in the fields of
Astrology,
Mathematics
Agriculture
Medicine
Philosophy
Credited with the founding of
the first paper mill
Developed with other libraries
the principle of library catalog
First University in the
Word
Theology, Political sciences
and natural science
(astronomy, biology,
chemistry etc)
Al Qarawiyyin University in
Fez, Morocco
Founded in 859 by a wealthy
women Fatima Al Fihria.
The university is considered
as the oldest university in
the world by the Guinness
book of records.
Women in Islam
Women in Islam
Muslims believe that men
and women are equal in the
sight of God.
Rights:
Education
Property
Inheritance
Keep their family name
Vote
Muslim women wear hijab
as a sign of modesty.
Women cannot be forced in
marriage.
Women in Islam
Women in Islam
