This document summarizes key aspects of Islam, including its core beliefs in monotheism and humanity's role to improve the earth. It describes the original pagan Arab practices of polytheism and how Muhammad introduced reforms between 610-661 AD that established the Five Pillars of Islam and changed Arab society, banning practices like female infanticide and usury. It also notes that extremist views emphasize jihad and fundamentalism to achieve political goals, differing from the original teachings of Muhammad which aimed to end social evils through moral reforms.

1. Chris Duplechin

2. Key Beliefs
• Monotheism (Belief in One God).
• God’s Fundamentals: Creation, Sustenance,
Guidance, and Judgment.
• “Humanity’s job is to make the Earth a better
place.”
• Humans are greedy, morally
weak, and thus need prophets
to teach others how to live.

3. Practice
• Five Pillars of Islam:
1. Shahada (Testify)
2. Salah (Prayer)
3. Seyam (Fasting)
4. Zakat (Charity)
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage)
• Oneness of Lordship, Oneness of Worship,
Oneness of Mankind.

4. The Original Islam
• The Pagan Arabs.
• Worshipped 360 Gods (polytheistic).
• Gods represented the powers of nature,
animals, sun, moon, stars, etc.
• All Gods are under the control of one supreme
God, or, Allah.
• Allah originally was the Moon God.

5. Islamic Reforms
• Between 610 – 661 AD:
Muhammad’s Mission - revolution that changed
Arab societies, formed ‘New Islam’.
• Reforms:
Social Security, Family Structure, Slavery,
Women's Rights / Ethnic Minorities, etc.

6. Islamic Reforms (cont.)
• Muhammad preached against social evils of
his day.
• Condemned practices of the Pagan Arabs,
Female Infanticide, Exploitation of the
Poor, Usury, Murder, Fornication, Adultery,
False Contracts, etc.
• “Muhammad lead many social and moral
reforms and changed the face of Islam to what it
is now known as today.”

7. Extremism
• Based on an extremely conservative view of
Islam, emphasized by Jihad and Islam
Fundamentalism.
• Use of Extreme Tactics, Bombings,
Assassinations, etc.
• Performed in order to achieve political/social
standpoints.

8. Resources
• http://www.religioustolerance.org/islam.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_social_cha
nges_under_Islam#Social_reforms

9. The End