Understanding the Islamic Faith

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Discussion4

Muslim Population4

Islamic Countries5

Christianity and Islam5

Similarities in Islam and Christianity6

Differences of Islam and Christianity7

Basic Beliefs of Islam7

Believe in One God8

Belief in the Angels8

Belief in God's Revealed Books8

Belief in the Prophets and Messengers of God8

Belief in the Day of Judgment9

Consequences9

Impact of Islam on United States of America9

Impact of Islam all over the World11

Islam and War12

Is Islam the Problem?12

Is Islam the Solution?13

Conclusion13

Understanding the Islamic Faith

Introduction

Islam is world's second religion in population after Christianity. Islam is based upon the ones of God. The followers of Islam are called Muslims. The fundamental belief of Islam is to believe in one God that is Allah and believing in the last Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him). Islam started to spread around 1500 years ago by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The teachings of Islam are taken from Holy Book Quran and teaching and sayings of Prophet Muhammad that is Sunnah and Hadith. The Word Islam means Peace (Kayani, 2009).

Sunnah is the practice of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Hadith are the sayings and orders of Prophet Muhammad however, these orders were from Allah. Islam is solely based on oneness of Allah and believing in Last Prophet. Islam also declares that there were approximately One hundred and twenty four thousands prophets that were sent by the God time by time, but the complete religion that was given for the entire World and Universe is Islam that is given by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by the order of Allah. Abraham, Moses, Jesus, are one of these prophets. Islam also guides to respect all the religions and prophets that were sent by Allah. Islam mainly has five pillars that are considered to be followed by every Muslim they are Salah (Namaz), Fasting (Soum), Charity (Zakat), Pilgrimage (Hajj), and most important Oneness of Allah (Tawheed). However, Charity and Pilgrimage are duty and obligation to the people who can afford. There are certain criteria of assets after that charity and pilgrimage become obligatory, but the other three are obligatory for each and every person (Kayani, 2009).

Discussion

Muslims follow Islam, it is the complete religion. Islam does not only teach how to worship Allah, but it also teaches social, economical, philosophical, and even scientific understandings. For all the understandings and problems Muslims consider Holy Quran, Sunnah, and Hadith. However, there are some problems and situations that are not clearly mentioned for that a group of Islamic Scholars sits together and give “Fatwah”. Islam has different sects with minor change in religious practices, as Prophet Teachings followed in different way by different people. Islam is widely divided into two sects that are Shia and Sunni. There have some conflicts, but follow Allah and Last Prophet (PBUH). Islam started to spread in Middle Eastern countries and then travelled to other parts of the world (Kayani, 2009).

Muslim Population

Muslim population is increasing in the world by increasing birth rate as well as the conversions. Muslims are 1.62 billion in the world according to Pew Research Center. It makes 23% of world's total ...