Islam

Islam is a monotheistic religion based on the revelations received by Muhammad from the Angel Gabriel, over a thirty year period. Muhammad is believed to be the very last, of many, prophets sent by Allah (God). These revelations were compiled into the Qur'an which is regarded by Muslims as authorative and divine in nature, Islam's sacred book. It offers a system of faithful living, guiding all spheres of human behavior.

The Qur'an also includes the Law of Moses, Psalms of David and the Gospel of Jesus, but Muslim scholars teach that Christians and Jews have corrupted those revelations. It contains no flaws or contradictions and the original Arabic scriptures have never been changed or tampered with.

Islam The Qur'an contains three kinds of teachings; direct doctrinal messages, historical accounts/messages and mystical expressions of sublime beauty, expressions that inform and support a broadly stated divine message.

The Qur'an outlines five obligations, or Pillars, as essential to the lives of Muslims.

• Confession of one's faith in God and in the prophet Muhammad.
• Ritual Worship, Formal prayer five times a day.
• Almsgiving, Poor-due "tax", 2.5% of one's wealth given to the needy, annually.
• Fasting, during the daytime hours during Ramadan.
• Pilgrimage, Everybody who is able must make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca.

Besides carrying out the five commitments outlined in the five Pillars, Muslims observe a general obligation to "commend good and reprimand evil." They also forswear gambling, usury, the consumption of alcohol and pork.

Additionally to those are also five articles of faith;

• Belief in a single God
• Belief in angels
• Belief in the revealed books
• Belief in the prophets
• Belief in the day of judgment

Islam holds Jesus as one of their most respected, of more than 120,000 prophets, sent by Allah. Jesus was sinless, born of a virgin, and a great miracle worker, but not the Son of God. Jesus is not God and God is not Jesus. He was not crucified. They believe that Jesus will return prior to the judgment day, perhaps to convert Christians to Islam.

They believe that Allah has a spirit, but they do reject the Biblical concept of the Trinity. The greatest sin in Islam is shirk, or associating anything with God. Muslims therefore believe that Christians who believe in the Trinity are guilty of shirk.

They believe that humans are basically good, but fallible and need guidance. The balance between good and bad deeds determine eternal destiny in paradise or hell. Allah's mercy may tip the balances to heaven, as his will is supreme.

"Exposure to the Son may prevent burning."

Go From Islam page to Christian Religion History, Home Page