Islam: 2nd largest Religion in the World-21% of the entire world and rapidly growing

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Islam 2nd largest Religion in the World-21 of
the entire world and rapidly growing

• Islam means obedience or peace through submission
  to the will of Allah-the Islam god

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Beginnings of Islam

• Followers are called Muslims and are found
  primarily in the Middle East
• Most important event for the Islamic faith was
  the revealing of Allahs word to a man named
  Muhammad in early 7th Century AD
• Muhammad became known as the messenger of Allah
  or the prophet

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Muhammad

• Born in Mecca
• Grew up a camel driver and was unhappy with the
  lawlessness of his people and troubled because
  they worshiped many gods
• Said the angel Gabriel spoke to him while he was
  praying one day and told him Allah was the only
  God
• He began speaking the message and was forced out
  of Mecca to Medina-this migration is called the
  Hajj.
• His followings grew so strong that they conquered
  Mecca in 629 AD

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The Koran/Quran

• Holy book of Islam written by Allah through
  Muhammad
• Advocates general beliefs and the 5 Pillars of
  Islam

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Muslim Beliefs

• Belief in Allah
• Belief in angels
• Belief in the Koran
• Belief in the prophets Abraham, Moses, David,
  Jesus, and Muhammad
• Belief in the day of judgment and life after
  death
• Belief in predestination

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The Five Pillars of Islam

• The Shahadah The declaration of faith There
  is no god but Allah and Muhammad is prophet.
• The Salah The five daily prayers said at dawn,
  noon, mid-afternoon, dusk, and after dark.
• The Zakat Give 2½ of savings to the poor each
  year.
• The Sawm Fasting during the 9th Muslim month.
• The Hajj Make a pilgrimage to Mecca in their
  lifetime.

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The Hajj

• In 1999 there were 2 million Muslims in Mecca for
  the Hajj 1 mill. from Saudi Arabia 6000 from
  the US
• Hajj consists of several ceremonies commemorating
  faith in the prophet Abraham
• Muhammad said that if the Hajj is performed
  properly the person would return as a newly born
  baby free of all sins

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Ramadan

• Holiest period in the Islamic year
• Commemorates the month when revelations began
• During this month most Muslims over the age of 12
  are expected to abstain from food and drink from
  the first light of dawn until sunsetfasting
• This year Ramadan began on June 29- July 27, 2014

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Concept of Jihad- a religious duty

• Westernized definition A holy war a clash
  between followers of different religions-each
  believing that their god is on their side and
  that the other side is of satan
• Personal definition to Muslims the intimate
  struggle to purify ones soul of evil influences
  to strive for justice

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Links to Other Faiths

• Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are the 3
  related faiths. They all revere Abraham as a
  spiritual ancestor.
• Different books Bible, Torah, and Koran
• Concept of Deity The Trinity Father, Son and
  Holy Spirit Allah the one god

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Why Terrorism?

• The fact is that Islam the faith itself is a
  faith of peace
• However, some parts of the Koran provide an open
  door for Islamic extremists who hate the West
  and see it as the great satan who corrupts the
  world
• For ex Koran 2239 To those against whom war
  is made, permission is given to defend themselves
  b/c they are wronged and Allah is most powerful
  to give them victory.