Brief summary of the history of Islam

Nellie Arroyo
Professor Brian Ellis-Gibbs
Summary of Islam February 13th 2015

Islam, began in Mecca, claimed to be the revelation of God (Allah) through the angel Gabriel to a man named Muhammad. Muhammad was born around AS 570-571, He was born to the powerful tribe of Quraish in Mekkah (Mecca). His father’s name was Adullah. His mother’s name was Aminah.
Islam has a world following in access of one billion followers, 20% are from the Middle East, with one of the largest concentration of Muslims in Indonesia. There are over 4 million Muslims living in America. There has been an active Muslim contingent in North America for over 300 y ears, since the time the religion arrived with West African slaves.

Islam is an Arabic terms which literally means “surrender,” or submission.” Believers of Islam (known as Muslims from the active participant of Islam. Muslims accepts surrender to the will of Allah (the Arabic word for God). Allah is viewed as God the creator, sustainer, and the restorer of the world. The will of god, to which man is to submit, is made known through the Qur’an (the Koran), revealed to his messenger Muhammad. Muhammad was one of many great prophets which included Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus and some the others. The basic beliefs of Islam is expressed in the shahadah, the Muslim confession of faith,” there is no god but God; Muhammad is the prophet of God.”
The holy Quran is the Islamic sacred book, believed to be the word of God as dictated to Muhammad by the archangel Gabriel and written down in Arabic. The Koran consists of 114 units of varying lengths, known as suras; the first sura is said as part of the ritual prayer. These touch upon all aspects of human existence, including matters of doctrine, social organization, and legislation. The Quran is the last and Final Word of God Almighty and a message to all mankind. It is a collection of 114 chapter or surahs that were revealed to Prophet Muhammad.

The five Pillars of Islam are to frame work of Muslim life. They are the testimony of faith, prayer, giving zakat (support of the needy), fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) once in a lifetime for those who are able to.
Declaration of faith is called the Shadaha is the first pillar of and most important of the five pillars of Islam. “There is none worthy of worship except God (Allah) and Muhammad (pbuh) is the messenger of God”. The Shahadah, a simple formula that all the faithful pronounce. The significance of the declaration is the belief that only purpose of life is to serve and obey God, and this is achieved through the teachings and practices of the last Prophet, Muhammad.
Obligatory prayer are prayers that are performed five times a day, and are direct link between the worshipper and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam and there are no priests. Prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Quran and is generally chosen by congregation.
Prayers are at dawn, mid-day, late-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. The five prescribed prayers contain verse from the Quran, and are said to be in Arabic, the language of the Revelation. Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every day during this month, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. This time is also purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking.
At this time it’s gives the opportunity to strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits. Every part of the body must be restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening negative talk. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint as for it’s a tie to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one’s on worship of God. Being a Muslim to me means paying serious heed to the Qur'anic teaching that Allah, universal creator and sustainer, who cares for all and sends guidance to all, has decreed diversity for a reason. Carrying forward a holy sacred messages that is conditioned into everyday lifestyle. It one the most peaceful religions that I have read and learned about. My perception will never change.
Compulsory giving an important principle of Islam. Everything belongs to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human begins in trust. The word zahah means “purification” and “growth”. Each Muslim calculates his or her own obligatory charity individually. This also involves the annual payment of 2.5% of one’s capital, excluding such items as primary residence, car and professional tools. An individual may also give as much he or she pleases as voluntary charity, and does preferably in secret. Such charity is not limited to financial giving.
Fasting the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown abstaining from food, drink and sexual relations with spouses. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are menstruating, pregnant or nursing, are permitted to break the fast (and to observe prayers) from puberty. Although fasting I beneficial to health, it is mainly a method of self-purification and self-restraint. By cutting oneself from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person focuses on his or her purpose in life by constantly being aware of the presence of God.
Pilgrimage to mecca (Hajj) is an obligation only for those who are physically and financial able to do so Nevertheless, over two million people go to Mecca each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another. The annual Haj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar year. Pilgrims wear special clothes; simple garments that strip away of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.

Sources:
Experiencing the World’s Religions, Ch. 10 http://www.colostate.edu/Orgs/MSA/events/Ramadan.html https://newclassroom3.phoenix.edu/Classroom/#/contextid/OSIRIS:44750089/context/co/view/activityDetails/activity/cc3494e5-61fc-484b-ae22-12933547177b/expanded/False http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/ramadan http://islam.about.com/od/ramadan/f/ramadanintro.htm www.institutealislam.com/what-is-the-holy-quran/ http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/themes/beliefs.html