Islam as Monotheistic Religion

Islam:
Surrender, related to salaam, or peace. Abraham, father of all prophets, is the first Muslim Islam is also a code for social conduct Quran plus the authentic statements of Muhammad (Hadith) = Shareeha (constitution), as Interpreted by Islamic scholars

Muhammad is the last prophet (33: 40). Gabriel highest ranking angel

The Quran:
Islams holy book, an inspired scripture. Gods word inspired to his messenger, 114 Chapters (chapter = Surah), 4 to >200 verses/chapter (verse = Aiyah) Confirms most narratives and prophets of the Jewish and Christian faiths Special place for Virgin Mary, the only female (the Chapter of Mary) Allah is the word for God used by Christian and Muslim Arabs God = Allah (Arabic) = Eluhim (Hebrew) = El (Aramaic) One and only one God, no trinity Arabic as the language of the Quran

The 'Five Pillars' of Islam

The framework for Muslim life. Essential practices 1. The declaration of faith: "There is no deity but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God"

2. Prayer: Five obligatory prayers each day. A direct link between the worshiper and God. No hierarchical authority or priesthood
3. Zakat: Obligatory charitable giving. Wealth belong to God and it is held in trust by humans. Zakat, or, "purification" by setting aside a portion (2.5%) for the needy 4. Fasting: From sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan 5. Pilgrimage: A pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca, Arabia. Only those who can

Jihad and the Conduct of War

Islam is not addicted to war, and jihad is not one of its "pillars Jihad in Arabic does not mean "holy war. It means "struggle or strive. It is the difficult effort needed to put God's will into practice at every level The "greater jihad in the Quran is that of the soul, of the tongue, of the pen, of faith, of morality, etc. The "smaller jihad" is that of arms. Many directives in the authentic statements of Muhammad (Hadiths): He told his companions as they go home after a battle "We are returning from the lesser jihad [the battle] to the greater jihad, at home" Three levels: Personal: That of the soul Verbal: Raising one's voice in the name of Allah on behalf of justice. "The most excellent jihad is the speaking of truth in the face of a tyrant" (Hadith) Physical: Combat waged in defense against oppression and transgression. Profoundly misunderstood in today's world.

Jihad and the Conduct of War

Much of the Koran revealed in the context of an all-out war imposed on early Muslims by the powerful city of Mecca, and many passages deal with the conduct of armed struggle. While one finds "slay [enemies] wherever you find them!" (e.g., 4: 89), in almost every case it is followed by something like "if they let you be, and do not make war on you, and offer you peace, God does not allow you to harm them" (2:90; 4: 90; 5: 2; 8: 61; 22: 39) Since good and evil cannot be equal, repel thou evil with something that is better, and love he between whom and thy self was enmity may then become as though he had always been close unto thee, a true friend" (41:34) God does not allow harm of civilian, and requests the protection of women, children and the elderly during war (4:96; 9: 91; 48: 16,17) If any one slew a person--unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land--it would be as if he slew the whole people; and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. (5:32) You shall feed and protect prisoners of war, and you shall not expect a reward (4: 25,36; 5:24) Thus, the only permissible war in the Quran is one of self-defense, you cannot kill unarmed (civilian), and you have to protect prisoners of war

Jihad and the Conduct of War

Warfare is always evil. Sometimes you have to fight to avoid persecution. e.g., the one Mecca inflicted on early Muslims (2: 191; 2: 217), or to preserve decent values (4: 75; 22: 40) Muslims may not begin hostilities "Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors." (2: 190). Notice: Defensive war, fight back Hostilities must be brought to an end as quickly as possible, and must cease the minute the enemy sues for peace (2:192-3; 41:34) Martyrdom: Those killed during fighting or while doing civic duties (martyrs) are promised a place in heaven (several passages, e.g., 2:154; 3:169-172) However, suicide is not allowed; it is forbidden and condemned (e.g., 6:151, 17:33, 25:68) One of my favorite Hadiths

'Do not attack a temple, a church, a synagogue. Do not bring a tree or a plant down. Do not harm a horse or a camel

Relation with other Faiths

Like the Torah, the Quran permits retaliation eye for eye, tooth for tooth. But, like the Gospels, it says it is meritorious to forgo revenge in a spirit of charity (5: 45) Acknowledges Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, Zacharia, Jesus, John the paptist, and others as the the good prophets of God A special place for Jesus and Mary (e.g., 3:45,46; 4:156-158; 19:1-98) Accepts that Marys conception is from Gods soul. Rejects the divinity of Jesus (no trinity). Jesus was not killed (e.g., 4:155-159; 5:17-19)

Relation with other Faiths

Islam did not impose itself by the sword. "There must be no coercion in matters of faith" (2: 256) Muslims have to respect Jews and Christians, the "People of the Book," who worship the same God (e.g., 2:62; 29:46). "And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except with means better, unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong: but say, 'We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; Our Allah and your Allah is one; and it is to Him we bow. In one of his last public sermons Muhammad said God tells all human beings, "O people! We have formed you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another" (49: 13). Do not conquer, convert, subjugate, revile or slaughter but to reach out toward others with intelligence and understanding

The Levant remained mainly Christian for almost 200 Yrs. No one was forced to convert to Islam The right of all faiths to warship was respected Sites of warship, holy places and shrines of all faiths were protected

Social Justice
Charity, Charity, Charity . On top of the Zakat. Help the orphan, the poor, the ill, the lost, the homeless, the elderly Endless times in the Quran (16 times in Chapters 2-5 alone)

Freedom, Integrity, Equality, Justice . An hour of justice by a ruler is better than sixty days of hard work (Hadith) Endless request for justice in the Quran (e.g., 2: 282; 6; 152)
O mankind, Weve created you from a male and a female and have made you nations and tribes that you may know and interact with each other. The noblest of you in the sight of God is the best in conduct (49:13). No Arab is privileged over non-Arab but by his or her conduct (Hadith) All people are equal like the teeth of a comb (Hadith) You are not considered faithful in the sight of God unless you like for your brother (read, others) what you like for yourself (Hadith) when you are greeted with a greeting of peace, answer with an even better greeting, or at least the like thereof" (4: 86).

Other Values
Right and Status of Women Eliminated many pre-Islamic discriminatory practices Gave women rights (e.g., inheritance) and equality to men, both were made from a single soul (e.g., 4:1) Limited the number of wives a man can marry Treat women with kindness and respect their rights as equal to men The hijab or head scarf Modest dress apply to women and men equally (Quran and Hadith). Women are required to cover their bodies so that their figure is not revealed. Women are not required to cover their faces. The forbidden or taboo (muharramat) include pork, blood, improperly butchered animals, baby animals, gambling, and charging interest Alcohol drinking was gradually disallowed