Over view of the Islamic Faith

Islam- By Jessica Collings & Acacia Jennings

1.  What does 'Islam' mean?

Islam is the name given to the people that worship Allah and practice the Islamic faith. The people that are Islam’s are called Muslims

2.  What were the origins of the Muslim religion?

Muhammad the Muslim Prophet received a message from God (Allah). Allah told Muhammad all about himself and the surroundings. This introduced all of the Islamic beliefs and the 5 pillars of Islam. At the time there were already two thriving religions Christianity and Judaism. This means that at first when Muhammad told people of his meeting with God and as he attempted to spread the new religion many people thought he was mad. The believers and the ones that had faith in Muhammad are the Muslims Today.

3. How was it different from religious beliefs in Arabia pre-Mohammed?

Before Muhammad most of people in Arabia were pagans, some Christians and a few Jews.
The belief in having freedom of faith was the main value before Muhammad. Pagans in Arabia believed in many Gods.

4.  How does someone become a Muslim?

Simply by saying “La ilah illa Allah, Muhammad rasoolu Allah.” Which means “I testify that there is no true god (deity) but God (Allah), and that Muhammad is a Messenger (Prophet) of God.”

 By this declaration the believer announces his or her faith in all God's messengers, and the scriptures they brought
5.  How do Muslims practice their religion?

 Muslims pray to their God named Allah five times per day. Once before sunrise, once before lunch, once after lunch, one as the sunsets and one before they go to bed. Before doing anything they ask Allah to be with them in their decision. Female Muslims must wear a Hijab that covers their entire body besides their face, toes and fingers. The Hijab becomes compulsory after or during puberty. Men must wear appropriate clothes such as pants below the knee. Muslims also have a month in which they fast between dawn and dusk.

6. What is the Ka'ba?

The ka’ba is the cube shaped box, inside Mecca. The pilgrimage to Mecca, Muslims walk around the ka’ba.

7. What were the highlights of the life of Mohammed? How did he become a prophet?

Mohammed was the first prophet of Islam. He was visited by the angel Gabrielle and was told his role in the Islamic faith. Mohammed was given the Koran and was told the five pillars of the Islamic faith which was: Prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, the hajj and giving to the poor. Mohammed is very important to Muslims just like Jesus is very important to Christians.

8. What is the Quran?

The Quran is the holy book of the Islamic faith. It is written in Arabic and read at the five daily prayers.
9. Are there any other sacred sources?

The mosques are also used to learn the religion as Arabic writings are written all over the mosques, recalling the 99 names of Allah, their god.

10. What is jihad?

 The jihad is used 41 times in the Koran. The world translates to struggle which refers to striving to the way of god.