Islam: A moral System
Islam itself means submission to the will of Allah. This religion was founded in the 7th century by Muhammad. Born in 570 in a town outside of Mecca, Muhammad was had a life of wealth and ease. When he was 40 years old he had revelations from the Angel Gabriel. Gabriel told Muhammad that he wasn't to profess a new religion but guide believers towards old traditions that Jews had gone away from. Muhammad began leading a group of believers to convert Mecca. He was eventually exiled to Medina where he would be safer. Later in life, Muhammad led a charge against Mecca and conquered the city. During his life Muhammad united all of the Arabian peninsula under Islam.
The Five Pillars of Islam
Orthodoxy (shahada) - The statement that "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger." The convert must say this in front of witnesses in order to officially become part of the religion. In Islam there are no actual Church, Church ceremonies, or sacraments.
Prayer (salat) - All Muslims must prayer towards Mecca five times a day at the ound of the bells from the minarets. More devout Muslims try to pray within there Mosque.
Fasting (sawm) - Fasting is required for the entire month of Ramadan from sunrise to sunset. The only exemptions are for the ill and the traveling and they are to make up there fasting when they are able to.
Almsgiving (zakat )- The exact number of required charity has changed during the course of Islam, it has been 1/5, 1/10, and 1/40 of total income. As of now there is no requirement.
Pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) - The final pillar of Islam is that everyone must make a trip to Mecca once in their lifetime if they are financially able to. Islam hopes for the journey during to be made during Dhu al-Hijjah, but it can be made at any time.
The Key Moral Teachings of Islam
The Qur'an has a very strong teaching on sexuality. The Qur'an clearly states that believers are to "restrain their carnal desires except with their wives and slave girls." Muslims also believe that they should avoid any events that could lead to pre-marital sex. As for homosexuality, it is the view of Islam that it is a sin to have pre-marital sex and to have sex with a man. Islam does say that those men who abstain from homosexual activities will be greatly rewarded in Heaven.
Alcohol is strictly forbidden to be bought or sold in Muslim society. Muslims strongly believe that Alcohol is the cause for all violence and domestic family problems. Muslims do however, allow alcohol for medical purposes. The Qur'an warns that any wrong actions involving alcohol will be accounted for on judgment day.
Honesty is an important part in the Islam moral system. Muslims are supposed to be honest to themselves and to each other. This order for honesty comes from the Qur'an and from the sayings of Muhammad. These teachings encourage Muslims to tell the truth even if it is against their own interest. As for business practices Muslims are taught to avoid cheating, fraud, and deceit. The reward for being honest is social approval and a deeper relationship with Allah.
The religion of Islam is the belief that all humans are brothers and so it is the duty of the wealthy to provide for the poor. In the teachings of Islam there are two types of charity, obligatory, or zakat, and voluntary, called saqada. Saqada is often performed during the month of Ramadan. Muslims give up their time and money in order to educate the poor and help the sick. Muslims believe that they will be rewarded by Allah for the kindness.
As for material goods, Muslims believe that Allah is the owner of all things and that they are the trustees of certain objects. Muslims are instructed to not charge interest, avoid theft or fraud, and not take part in gambling and lotteries. Extravagance and waste are looked down upon by other Muslims. During the creation of Islam, Muhammad and his followers were tribal people that often had a division of labor where everything was shared. Because of this Muhammad discouraged others from taking more than they needed and wasting valuable resources.
Muslims and Catholics believe in a similar creation story. However, Muslims believe that Allah created all angels to worship Adam and the angel that refused was Satan. Islamic tradition also agrees that Adam and Eve were tempted by Satan and sinned but that Allah forgave them and their sin had no affect on the rest of the human race. Each individual Muslim has two angels recording his sins and good deeds. Muslims are exhorted to not repeat the same mistake as Adam. The human condition, according to Muslims, is caused by sin from Satan's temptations and their straying from the Qur'an.
Key Terms of Islam
Qur'an- the Qur'an is the Holy book of Islam which holds all of the teachings of Muhammad and his revelations from the angel Gabriel.
Jihad- Jihad means struggle within oneself to find meaning. Jihad has been perverted by extreme Muslims to be used as a reason for war.
Sunna- the words, actions, and approvals retained by Muhammad's companions and put inot writing. It is one of the many books of Islamic teachings.
Shi'ite- The second largest sect of Islam. They believe in Imams and follow the teachings of Muhammad through his descendents. They believe that the first three caliphs arn't religios figures.
Sunni- Sunni Muslims make up the largest sect of Muslims. THey believe in Muhammad and in the caliphates beginning with Abu Bakr.
Sources
The North American Muslim Resource Guide
Oxford History of Islam
http://www.islamweb.net
http://www.wikipedia.com
http://www.alrisalo.org/Articles/mailing_List/charity.html
http://godlas.myweb.uga.edu/sexuality.html
http://www.comparativereligion.com/man.html
