Understanding Islam
David Kennedy
IWS 116-101
Library Paper
11/14/12
"Today, there is the widespread impression in the West that Islam is often unfairly portrayed. Are there aspects, dimensions, and general facts about Islam that, you think, one needs to know in order to better understand this world religion?"
10 pages
10 academic references
Understanding Islam In today’s world, there is often a widespread impression in the Western populous that unfairly portrays the religion of Islam. Western nations such as The United States of America, The United Kingdom and continental Western Europe, have experienced fanatical attacks that have triggered decades of turmoil for Western and Islamic relations. Islam has become a target, instead of being understood. There are many aspects of Islam that are taken out of context when Western nations try to gain an understanding of Islam. Unfortunately, Islamic extremists’ actions have undermined a genuine understanding of what Islam is founded upon and strives for. Like other religions of the world, Islam has foundations that must be understood in order to understand the more complexities of the religion (Hodgson 12). These aspects, dimensions, and general facts about Islam are necessary to know in order to understand the religion.
The Basics of Islam Islam is a religion and a complete way of life. The term “Islam” may not directly be defined as peace, but corresponds to peace, purity, submission and the obedience that a follower should partake in. In this sense, Islam is the submission to the will of God and obedience to His laws. Followers of Islam are referred to as a Muslim, “one who surrenders to God.” Islam is a monotheistic religion, just as is Judaism and Christianity (Kennedy 5). There is one all powerful God, which in Arabic is translated to “Allah.” Just as Judeo-Christian religions, Allah has no gender and is always singular, one God. The holy book of Islam that has the word of God, is the Qur’an, or Koran
IWS 116-101
Library Paper
11/14/12
"Today, there is the widespread impression in the West that Islam is often unfairly portrayed. Are there aspects, dimensions, and general facts about Islam that, you think, one needs to know in order to better understand this world religion?"
10 pages
10 academic references
Understanding Islam In today’s world, there is often a widespread impression in the Western populous that unfairly portrays the religion of Islam. Western nations such as The United States of America, The United Kingdom and continental Western Europe, have experienced fanatical attacks that have triggered decades of turmoil for Western and Islamic relations. Islam has become a target, instead of being understood. There are many aspects of Islam that are taken out of context when Western nations try to gain an understanding of Islam. Unfortunately, Islamic extremists’ actions have undermined a genuine understanding of what Islam is founded upon and strives for. Like other religions of the world, Islam has foundations that must be understood in order to understand the more complexities of the religion (Hodgson 12). These aspects, dimensions, and general facts about Islam are necessary to know in order to understand the religion.
The Basics of Islam Islam is a religion and a complete way of life. The term “Islam” may not directly be defined as peace, but corresponds to peace, purity, submission and the obedience that a follower should partake in. In this sense, Islam is the submission to the will of God and obedience to His laws. Followers of Islam are referred to as a Muslim, “one who surrenders to God.” Islam is a monotheistic religion, just as is Judaism and Christianity (Kennedy 5). There is one all powerful God, which in Arabic is translated to “Allah.” Just as Judeo-Christian religions, Allah has no gender and is always singular, one God. The holy book of Islam that has the word of God, is the Qur’an, or Koran