More on Islam

THE TEACHINGS OF “SUBMISSION” - ISLAM

THE KORAN
• The sayings of Muhammad compiled after his death from memory.
• Often Muhammad spoke these sayings in a religious trance.
• He said inspiration came to him like the painful sound of a bell in his head.
• There are 114 chapters, or surahs, arranged by length.
• Muslims believe the Koran corrects errors in the Bible.
• Other books: Hadith (“Sayings of Muhammad”) and the Sunnah (“Guidelines to Muslim Life”)

THE SIX ARTICLES OF FAITH
1. God – the all-powerful creator.
2. Angels – Each person has two recording angels. One for good deeds, one for bad.
3. Scripture - the Koran, the Torah, the Zabin (Psalms), and the Injil (Gospel of Jesus).
4. Prophets – Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses Jesus, and Muhammad, the “Seal of the Prophets.” 5. The Last Days - Paradise (couches, wine, Houras) or hell.
6. Kismet – Islamic doctrine of Allah’s control (Ishallah).

THE FIVE PILLARS OF FAITH
1. The Creed (Kalima) – “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet.”
2. Prayer (Salat) – Five times a day.
3. Almsgiving (Zakat) – One fortieth of wealth.
4. Fasting (Ramadan) – Thirty days from sun up to sun down.
5. The Pilgrimage (Haj) – to Mecca.

JIHAD
• The word means “Holy War”
• The Four Jihads: of the Tongue, Hand, Heart, Sword
• Muslims are encouraged to fight the infidels, that is, non-believers in Islam.
• Fighting and killing are beloved activities in Islam.
• Muhuammad was asked what deed was dearest to Islam: He responded prayers, obedience to parents and relgious fighting, in that order.

THE FACTIONS
• Sunni – 90% of all Muslims – Believe successor to Muhammad should be a male of his tribe, Quraish.
• Shiite – believe succession should remain in the family of the prophet, starting with Ali.
• Sufis – emphasis on knowing God and soul rising in union. Known as “whirling dirvishes.”
• Wahhabism – the ultra-orthodox
• The Nation of Islam - Elijah Muhammad and Louis Farrakan

ASPECTS OF ISLAM
• Mosque
• Polygamy – up to four wives per man.
• The Veiling of Women – Beauty for the husband.
• Birth Control
• Homosexuality
• Alcohol
• The Eating of Pork
• Theocracy

ISLAMIC VIEW OF JESUS
• Islam maintains the Virgin Birth, Miracles, and Prophetic Call of Jesus
• Islam Does Not Believe in the Divinity, Crucifixion, or Resurrection of Jesus