History of Islam

A. FOUNDING: Islam was founded by Muhammad when he received word from Allah in a prophecy (or vision). He began life in Mecca where idolatry was a main fact of life but had to flee to Madinah to escape prosecution in what has come to be known as the Hijrah. Islam spread through his family and friends at first but later his companions known as sahabat continued his work by a number of successful conquests which spread Islam to most of the middle east. Islam reached it high point when Muhammad and his army from Madinah conquered Mecca which was later deemed to the the Holy City.

Islam can be traced all the way back to 7th century saudi arabia. Allah gave the Quran to the angel Gabriel and he gave it to prophet Muhammad and he introduced islam in 610 A.D. Islam existed before Muhammad but it had about 70 families that followed it. Some famous people who followed this religion was Muhammed Ali, Kevin Gates, and Akon.

Islam originated 610 AD in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Throughout time there are many stories and legends on how Islam sprung. According to the Quran it declares, that the holy book of Islam was brought down by angel Gabriel from Allah. Angel Gabriel gave the holy book to Prophet Muhammad. To prove this, the Quran states, "this is a revelation from the Lord of the universe. The Honest Spirit (Gabriel) came down with it, to reveal it into your heart that you may be one of the warners, in a perfect Arabic tongue" (Sura 26:192-195). "Say, 'Anyone who opposes Gabriel should know that he has brought down this (the Qur 'an) into your heart, in accordance with God 's will, confirming previous scriptures, and providing guidance and good news for the believers '" (Sura 2:97). [http://www.allaboutreligion.org/origin-of-islam.htm] The prophets before Muhammad, all contributed to the religion of Islam, but prophet Muhammad made it final by the revelation of the Quran and how to be a correct Muslim.

A life changing moment occurred when he received a message from Allah, the God of Islam, while meditating in one of the various caves in the Arid Mountains. Allah then told Muhammad to bring a scripture to the Arabs in the Arabian language. This spiritual moment was the marking of the birth of Islam, which has over many years spread and changed around the world. Over the years Islam’s practices changed and who practiced Islam also changed. Islam first started out as a small religion based in Medina.

Islam is a religion that all began with a vision of a messenger from GOD.It all began with Muhammad, a vision, and the story of his life.To really, know about Islam you have to know the similarities and difference of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.Learn about how the Five Pillars impacted the lives of Muslims, and why they must follow these rules.It all began with Muhammad and a vision of God and how he became the teacher and beginning of a new religion.It all began with Muhammad and a vision of God and how he became the teacher and beginning of a new religion.

Islam is a monotheistic religion that started in Arabia (1). It was founded by the prophet Muhammad and during the first century of its creation, it spread throughout Arabia and beyond (12). Muslims believe that Muhammad saw visions of the angel Gabriel telling him the of the wisdoms of God. Today, Islam is the second largest religion in the world and just like other major world religions, there are divisions that exist in Islam. What must be the most significant division is the division between the Sunnis and the Shiites.

Islam originated about 600 years ago after the birth of Jesus by prophet Muhammad. Most of the Muslim population is in the Middle East and in Southwest Asia. The Holy Scripture for Islam is the Qur’an. Muslims believe the Bible and the Torah are corrupt.

After four years he began to preach openly in his native city of Mecca. Ridiculed by the Meccans, he went to Medina in 622. At his death in 632, Muhammad was the leader of an Arab state growing rapidly in power. The third duty of a Muslim is to pay zakat. This tax was originally levied by Muhammad ,and later by Muslim states, on the wealthy members of the community, primarily to help the poor. The fourth duty is the fast of the month of Ramadan. During the fasting month, one must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual intercourse from dawn until sunset. The fifth duty is the pilgrimage to Mecca. Every adult Muslim who is physically and economically able to do so must make this pilgrimage at least once in his or her lifetime.

“Recitation of the Qur’an is thought to have a healing, soothing effect, but can also bring protection, guidance, and knowledge, according to Islamic tradition (Fisher, Mary)”. People can recite the qur’an in the purified states only because Qur’an contains a powerful words and it takes a great responsibility (Fisher, Mary)”. “The verses of the Qur’an are terse (Fisher, Mary)” which makes it harder to translate. One of the unique tradition in Islam are the five pillars. “The basic spiritual practices incumbent on all Muslims are known as the five pillars of Islam (Fisher, Mary)”. The first pillar is believing and professing the unity of god and the messengership of Muhammad. The second pillar is the performance of a continual round of prayers. Muslims perform prayers five times a day “facing mecca, and reciting a series of prayers and passages from the Qur’an, bowing and kneeling (Fisher, Mary)”. The third pillar is Zakat, charity or almsgiving. “Muslims must donate at least two and a half percent of their accumulated wealth to needy Muslims (Fisher, Mary)”. The fourth pillar is fasting. Fasting frequently is recommended in Islam however, fasting during Ramadan is the obligatory (Fisher,

They believe that each and every Muslim should pray five times a day and each prayer does not take more than a few minutes. They must face Mecca while reciting each prayer. The prayers must each be said at their appropriate times. Dawn, noon, mid afternoon, sunset, and night.

This is set by the time of day. The last important component to the prayer pillar is the public day of prayer, Friday. On this day, devote Muslims join together to pray in mosques (Molloy, 432-434).

After secretly spreading the “new religion,” the prophet publicly declared that “there is only one God, Allah, and he is the Lord’s Messenger.”

Another theory traces the etymology of the word to the Aramaic Alâhâ.[24][25] According to F. E. Peters, "The Qur'an insists, Muslims believe, and historians affirm that Muhammad and his followers worship the same God as the Jews(29:46). The Quran's Allah is the same Creator God who covenanted with Abraham". Peters states that the Qur'anic portrayal of God is more powerful, more remote than Yahweh. It is also depicted as a universal deity, unlike Yahweh who closely follows Israelites.[26] Allâh is also used by Arab speaking Christian and Jewish people in reference to God.[27] The usage of the definite article in Allah linguistically indicates the divine unity. Muslims reject the Christian doctrine concerning the trinity of God, seeing it as akin to polytheism.

The five pillars of Islam are the basics of the Muslim life. The first pillar is called the Shahada or Witness. It is a profession of faith that states simply that “there is no god but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the messenger of God.” Someone becomes a Muslim by stating this declaration of faith. It is also used daily in prayers. The second pillar of Islam is called Salat or Prayer. It describes the ritual prayers muslims are called to pray five times throughout the day. The prayers are made in position facing Mecca. The third pillar is called Zakat or Giving. It is the act of charity Muslims do by setting aside about 2.5 percent of their total income and give to the poor. The fourth pillar of Islam is called Swam or Fasting. Every year in the month of Ramadan, (the ninth month of

On the Last Day, all the dead will be resurrected and either rewarded with heaven or punished with hell. On the last day, or judgment day, the same holds true in Muhammad's Islamic teachings as does in modern day Christian beliefs, the dead will be resurrected and either rewarded with heaven or punished with hell.