Professional Documents
Culture Documents
GREETINGS IN ISLÄM
Greetings when you meet or address someone
AsSalämu Alaikum (short form)
(Peace be upon you)
Return greetings
WaAlaikum Saläm (short form)
(Peace be upon you, too)
Hi
Isläm 101
Saeed Shaikh
North Stonington, CT
PRAYER
Chapter 1, “Al-’Fatihäh” (The Opening), The Qur’än
2. In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
3. All praise belongs to God.
4. Lord of all Worlds.
5. The Compassionate, the Merciful.
6. Ruler of the Day of Judgment.
7. It is You that we worship, and to You we appeal for help.
8. Show us the straight path, the path of those You have
graced, not of those who earned Your anger, nor of those
who wander astray.
Major Religions
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RELIGION
Dictionary Meaning of Religion:
Belief in God or gods to be worshipped,
usually expressed in conduct and ritual.
Islämic Understanding of Religion:
am BC
Isaac Ishma
el Hindui 1500
Tora
h M smJudais BC
1300
oses m BC
Bibl Buddhi 525
e Jesus sm BC
Christia 4 BC
Christ
Qur’ nity
änMuham Islä 610
mad m AD
2008
AD
ISLÄM
As a noun, "ISLÄM"
As a verb, "ISLÄM" means:
means:
Who is Muslim?
ISLÄM & MUSLIMS
The name of this religion is Isläm. The root of
the word is Silm and Saläm, which means
peace. Saläm also means: Submission to the
One God, and to live in peace with the Creator,
within one’s self, with other people and with the
environment. Thus, Isläm is a total system of
living. A Muslim is to live in peace and harmony
with all. A Muslim is someone living anywhere
in the world whose obedience, allegiance, and
loyalty are to the One and Only God, the Lord
of the Universe.
Muslims could be from anywhere; Arabs
could be Muslims, Christians, Jews or Atheists.
WHAT DOES ISLÄM
STAND FOR?
• Worship of One and Only God
• Equality and brotherhood for all
• No compulsion in religion
• Love for all His creatures
• Righteousness (Taqwä) and faith in One God
• Simplicity, dignity and respect for all
• Peace and justice for all
5 Pillars of
Isläm
Bukhari, Muslim
Verification ~ Credit Card verification
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QUESTIONS…
Who is Muhammad?
Muhammad is the last prophet of God to the
mankind. He brought the Message of peace for
all called Isläm.
What is Qur’än?
The Qur’än is the exact Word of God. Its
authenticity, originality and totality are in tact. It’s
the primary source of information in Isläm. Its
knowledge is beyond senses and reason. It’s the
highest form of knowledge.
What’s Sunnah?
The Prophet’s sayings, deeds, instructions,
advice and traditions are called the Sunnah.
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QUESTIONS…
What are the five pillars of Isläm?
They are: Faith, Prayer, Charity, Fasting, Pilgrimage
What is faith?
It’s something that takes root at the heart and
immediately followed up by the limbs. For Muslims,
it’s: “There is no god worthy to be worshipped but
God (Alläh), and Muhammad is His Messenger.”
How many times Muslims pray to the God in a day?
Five times: At dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and at
night before bedtime.
How much Muslims have to give in charity?
Muslims have to give 2½% of the savings in charity.
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QUESTIONS…
What’s pilgrimage?
Muslims go to Meccä in Saudi Arabia to visit the Holy
Mosque for pilgrimage called Hajj. Muslims believe
that that was the first House of Worship built on the
earth by Prophet Adam (P). It was later rebuilt by
Prophet Abraham (P) and his son Ishmael (P). The
Hajj ceremony commemorates traditions that are
related in all three monotheistic religions.
What are the six pillars of Imän (faith) in Isläm?
They are: Belief in God, His Angels, His Books, His
Prophets, the Last Day and the Hereafter, and the
destiny.
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QUESTIONS…
What are some of the principles of Isläm?
Oneness of God (Tauhid):
He is One and Only God. It’s dogmatic in Isläm.
There is no compromise on this issue.
Oneness of Mankind:
All are created equal in front of the Law of God.
There is no superiority by anyone. Only discriminator
used by Him to judge people among them is piety
(Taqwä).
Oneness of Messengers and the Message:
Muslims believe that all Messengers came with the
same message and the same teachings; that He is
the One and Only. Muslims believe in all the
prophets and make no distinction between them.
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QUESTIONS…
What are some of the principles of Isläm?
Angels and the Day of Judgment (DoJ):
Angels are His creatures who perform His special
missions. The DoJ is the day accounting, reward and
punishment.
Innocence of Man at Birth:
Muslims believe that the people are born free of sin.
No one is responsible for or can assume the
responsibility of the sins of others. However, the door
of forgiveness is always open through supplication
and repentance.
State and Religion:
It’s a total way of life. Every second of life should be
spent in seeking His pleasure. You cannot separate
the two.
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QUESTIONS…
What are some other aspects of Isläm?
Calendar:
Based on lunar calendar. 12 months. Hijri (migration)
year is 1429 AH.
Celebrations:
Muslims have two celebrations called Eid, namely
Eid of Sacrifice and Eid of Fast-Breaking.
Diets:
No pork and its by products, alcohol, narcotic or
addictive drugs.
Place of Worship:
It’s called Masjid or Mosque. Three most important
are: Al-Masjid Al-Haräm @ Makkah, Al- Masjid Al
Nabwi @ Madinä,and Al-Aqsä @ Jerusalem.
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QUESTIONS…
What are some of the misconceptions about Isläm?
Muslims are violent, terrorists and/or extremists:
The biggest and the most untrue misconception
mainly due to stereotyping. Nothing could be farther
from the truth.
Isläm oppresses the women:
Wrong. Veil is not oppression; it’s a religious
requirement. Cultural practices of some Muslim
majority countries have no basis in Isläm. Divorce is
very uncommon in Isläm. Unlike in many other
religions, in Islam, women had rights to own the
property, inherit property, etc. some 1400 years ago.
Muslims worship a different God:
Allah is simply the Arabic word for God, the One and
Only, for all.
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QUESTIONS…
What are some of the misconceptions about Isläm?
Isläm was spread by the sword and intolerance:
Wrong again. Read comments of some of the great
scholars, historians and politicians including Gandhi.
All Muslims are Arabs.
No, only about 18% are Arabs.
The Nation of Isläm is a Muslim Group:
No, it’s more like a cult and not a religion.
All Muslim men marry four wives:
Polygamy is simply permitted, not the norm nor
encouraged.
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QUESTIONS…
Whatare some of the misconceptions about Isläm?
Muslims don’t believe in Jesus and any other
prophets.
Wrong. Muslims believe in all the Prophets, including
Jesus (A).
Muhammad was the founder of Isläm, and Muslims
worship him:
Muhammad (P) established the Islämic community
when he migrated to Madinä. Muslims do not
worship Muhammad (P).
Muslims are barbaric, backward people:
Simply a stereotyping, and not true.
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PRAYER
Goodbye
FOR MORE INFORMATION…
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