Islam: A Pathway to Wisdom, Peace, and Joy - Overview
Discover the essence of Islam as a path to wisdom, peace, and joy within the Abrahamic family of faiths. Explore key texts, sources, and laws in the Quran, along with similarities and differences with Christianity.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Islam: a pathway to Wisdom, Peace and Joy Youngest cousin in the Abrahamic family of faiths Atiya Ahsan, October 2019
Invocation as in the Quran ( I begin) In the name of Allah (God), the Beneficent, the Very Merciful. Salaam- alaykum! i.e. May you all be blessed with Peace! It is like Shalom , in Hebrew.
IMPORTANT NOTES: This presentation is a very brief overview Muslims: Five main schools of jurisprudence. 4 Sunni and 1 Shia school; Sharia also differs Sunni Muslims over 85%, worldwide 85% of Muslims are NON-Arab Shia Muslims concentrated in Iran, Bahrain, Iraq, around Persian Gulf; 20% of pop. In Pakistan; Afghanistan Women s rights in Qur an: extensive; Problems - illiteracy, poor enforcement
KEY TEXTS/SOURCES OF ISLAM Qur an (Koran) In classical Arabic Revealed over 23 years, by Gabriel Uniform, unaltered Arabic text Poetic prose, unique style The Prophet, Muhammad PBUH His ways = Sunnah His words = Hadith His Noble family Noble companions Noteworthy scholars/books
Quran, overview of content God addresses/asks questions: Prophet Mohammed All mankind Jews, Christians Muslims; Non-believers Topics: Monotheism Non-violence; Social justice; earlier Prophets Creation, sciences Laws, ethics; Examples: Jesus and Mary Moses and Aaron Adam and Eve 114 chapters God of Mercy Accountability Heaven/Hell
Some areas of laws in Quran God s laws and guiding principles of non-violence; justice with clear evidence; Honest testimony. Honest, ethical, moral dealings in personal, social, commercial relations; entrepreneurship; record loans; Wills; marriage/divorce; inheritance; No war of aggression; end hostilities and make peace treaties; treason not allowed migrate! ; Three responses to murder: A life for a life OR take financial compensation OR choose to forgive. Respectful inter-faith dialogue with non-Muslims
Christianity and Islam Similar? YES! How NOT similar One, loving God Immac. Concept n Jesus: living guide Will intercede for Christians Jesus will return Hereafter People of Book God is not Father Jesus - is not God No Original Sin Not Born sinners Not Angry, jealous God (Torah) No to Trinity No music in mosque
Muhammad: Mercy to ALL the worlds While many accounts exist of his life, the three ENDURING SPOKESPERSONS: 1. The Qur an with its supreme content, unaltered, revered to reach higher levels of enlightenment and peace 2. Ten generations of direct family descendants of the Prophet s family - including their written/recorded works 3. Scholars of Qur an, Hadith and history.
Muhammad son of Abdullah Key Historic facts accepted by all Muslims: Descendent of Abraham via Ismail Orphan at birth in 570 CE; lost mother at age 5; paternal grandfather s care to age 8. Then guardianship by uncle Abu Talib for 30+ years. Exemplary person. Marriage to Khadija at 25; Declared Prophethood at age 40; transformed warring tribes into brothers in Faith and much more. Died in 633 CE.
Allah, Prophet, Quran Sunni Muslims views Shia Twelver views Like Masumeen U Knowledge from God = Infallibility Fatima and twelve Imams. Ali is 1st Imam Hasan and Husain and 9 more 12th is living, like Jesus Christ Ismaili Muslims Like Muslimeen University First four Caliphs Four Main schools: Hanafi; Maliki, Hanbali and Shafaee Ahmadiyya **
Worldwide, Sunni: 85% and Shia: 15% Muslimeen University approach Masumeen University approach Twelver Shia Muslims Roots = Principles 1. Monotheism 2. Divine Justice 3. Prophethood 4. Infallible Imams 5. Judgement; heaven and hell Branches : next slide 5 Pillars of faith 1. Shahada 2. 5 daily prayers 3. Charitable dues 4. Fasting 5. The Hajj
Shia: Branches = Practices Daily practices Time-specific Five daily prayers Jihad = Self critique to Purify Self; purify one s wealth by charitable works; advocacy; Annual calculation and giving of charity on savings and capital gains - or on windfalls Daytime Fasting during month of Ramadhan Pilgrimage to Makkah once in lifetime if affordable Armed effort for defense of social justice and freedoms. ONLY if it sa Just War
Highest normative values Humble before God; equality with all mankind Become literate, lifelong learning religions, sciences; for both men and women; be exemplary citizen; assertive not aggressive nor passive; share knowledge; purify self and purify one s wealth. Speak up against injustice. Create peace. Rational thinking; non-violence; do not force people to adopt faith; exercise fairness preferably, by giving, grace and compassion. Thoughtful practice of faith for closeness to God
Ali, trusted and entrusted At age 30 (or 32) he gained his cousin Ali to love, cherish and groom - to be his right hand to help fulfill all his duties and obligations in peacetime or in a battle of self-defense for Muslims. To entrust his daughter, Fatima (born of Khadija) in marriage to Ali. Grandsons: Hasan and Husain First Holy Imam of Twelver and Ismaili Muslims Fourth Caliph for Sunni Muslims Most Sufi groups (orders) trace their roots to Ali Nahjul Balagha: Speeches, letters and sayings
Womens Rights Quran and Sunnah Spiritually equal to men. Right to life; Protection from harassment; inherit from her father, husband and son/s; own and manage property and business; write her Will; go to court to seek redress; no legal obligation to bear family expenses. Get an education; select husband; divorce her husband; if qualified, can lead women in formal, obligatory prayers. Honest and moral careers open. NO female circumcision .
HIJAB: aconcept - applies to both genders Governs individual, family and public decency; to protect from unwelcome touch, sexual harassment, sexual crimes, prevent pre - and extra-marital sex. Also governs what are sacred relationships - so who not allowed to marry. Clothing hijab is stricter for women more hijab = more dignity/protection . Non- revealing outerwear. Cover neck/cleavage in public. Value yourself!
Muslims in Canada Earliest around 1869, from Bosnia; first mosque in Edmonton around 1929; most immigration in 70 s, 80 s then 2001-2006 as refugee claimants. Estimated as 3.2% of population across Canada in 2011. Largest number in GTA about 8%, then Montreal, about 6% www.nccm.ca; www.ccmw.com; www.muslimlink.ca
