2. Basic Facts ofBasic Facts of
IslamIslam Islam is theIslam is the thirdthird in successionin succession
of the three great monotheisticof the three great monotheistic
faiths born in the Middle East (Judaism,faiths born in the Middle East (Judaism,
Christianity, Islam)Christianity, Islam)
 Islam is theIslam is the secondsecond largest religion in worldlargest religion in world
(1.2 billion adherents)(1.2 billion adherents)
 There is an estimated 650 000 Muslims livingThere is an estimated 650 000 Muslims living
inin CanadaCanada
 Islam is theIslam is the fastestfastest growing religion in thegrowing religion in the
worldworld

3. Islam TermsIslam Terms
 Islam:Islam: an Arabic word that meansan Arabic word that means
“submitting to God” and “peace”“submitting to God” and “peace”
 Muslim:Muslim: a person who follows the teachingsa person who follows the teachings
of Islam and “submits to God and finds peaceof Islam and “submits to God and finds peace
in Him”. All creation is Muslim.in Him”. All creation is Muslim.
 Shahadah:Shahadah: ““There is no god but God andThere is no god but God and
Muhammad is the Messenger of GodMuhammad is the Messenger of God”.”.
 Allah:Allah: Arabic name for God. It is preferredArabic name for God. It is preferred
over other names because it has no genderover other names because it has no gender
affiliation and does not have pluralityaffiliation and does not have plurality

4. Understanding IslamUnderstanding Islam
 Islam is aIslam is a rationalrational religion:religion:
“The vilest of creatures are those“The vilest of creatures are those
who choose to be deaf and dumbwho choose to be deaf and dumb
and do not use their reason.”and do not use their reason.”
(Qur’an 8:2)(Qur’an 8:2)
 Muhammad reminded hisMuhammad reminded his
followers that “The first thing Godfollowers that “The first thing God
created was reason”. Therefore,created was reason”. Therefore,
believers must takebelievers must take personalpersonal
responsibilityresponsibility for one’s actionsfor one’s actions
and faith.and faith.

5. Freedom of ConscienceFreedom of Conscience
 ““There is no compulsion in religion. TruthThere is no compulsion in religion. Truth
stands out clearly from falsehood; whoeverstands out clearly from falsehood; whoever
rejects evil and believes in God has graspedrejects evil and believes in God has grasped
the strongest rope that never breaks. Andthe strongest rope that never breaks. And
God is All Hearing and All Knowing”God is All Hearing and All Knowing”
Qur’an 2:256Qur’an 2:256

6. BeliefsBeliefs
1.1. Belief in only One GodBelief in only One God. He is defined as. He is defined as
Eternal, Absolute, Infinite, Compassionate andEternal, Absolute, Infinite, Compassionate and
Merciful, the sole Creator and Provider.Merciful, the sole Creator and Provider.
2.2. Engage only in Righteous ActionsEngage only in Righteous Actions in all areas:in all areas:
spiritual, intellectual and physical activity.spiritual, intellectual and physical activity.
3.3. All God’s creation is “Muslim”.All God’s creation is “Muslim”. Only humansOnly humans
are given CHOICE to submit (be Muslim) orare given CHOICE to submit (be Muslim) or
reject submission to God’s will.reject submission to God’s will.

7. 4. All children are born without sin and are
Muslim. As they grow older, they make their
religious CHOICE.
5. God created human beings with a body and
soul. The body is a temporal host for this life,
whereas the soul is eternal. It is the soul that will
survive beyond death.
6. Universality of the call. All Muslims are
brothers and equals without any distinction of
class, race or tongue. Superiority is only based
on the greater fear of God and greater piety.

9. PracticesPractices
PrayerPrayer
 worshippers line up in rows andworshippers line up in rows and
enact ritual in unison (prostration)enact ritual in unison (prostration)
 Friday midday prayers at mosqueFriday midday prayers at mosque
(period of spiritual and moral renewal)(period of spiritual and moral renewal)

10. FastingFasting
 month of Ramadan (ninth month of lunarmonth of Ramadan (ninth month of lunar
year) to test the spirit, discipline the willyear) to test the spirit, discipline the will
and remind of the hungry and poorand remind of the hungry and poor
 Numerous important events took placeNumerous important events took place
during Ramadan (first revelation in 610 CE,during Ramadan (first revelation in 610 CE,
flight to Mecca in 622 CE, victory in 624 CEflight to Mecca in 622 CE, victory in 624 CE
 Ramadan ends with Eid al-FitrRamadan ends with Eid al-Fitr

11. MosqueMosque
 Muslim place of worship Muslims come togetherMuslim place of worship Muslims come together
in a mosque for prayers at midday on Fridayin a mosque for prayers at midday on Friday
(Muslim Holy Day)(Muslim Holy Day)
 MIHRABMIHRAB= small arch or hole in wall indicates the= small arch or hole in wall indicates the
direction of the Ka’bah in Meccadirection of the Ka’bah in Mecca
 MINARETMINARET= high tower or dome from which a= high tower or dome from which a
muezzin calls the faithful to prayermuezzin calls the faithful to prayer
 WUDUWUDU= cleansing process before prayer (water)= cleansing process before prayer (water)
 IMAMIMAM= chief officer in the mosque who leads= chief officer in the mosque who leads
prayersprayers

13. PROPHET’S MOSQUE in Madinah: the first mosque in
Islam

14. Qur’anQur’an
 Holy book of Islam which means “Holy book of Islam which means “recitationrecitation””
 Records the revealed word of God that cameRecords the revealed word of God that came
through Angel Gabriel to Muhammad over 23 yearsthrough Angel Gabriel to Muhammad over 23 years
 Muhammad dictated revelations to scribes andMuhammad dictated revelations to scribes and
companions whocompanions who memorizedmemorized passagespassages

15.  It is the only revealed book that hasIt is the only revealed book that has remainedremained
intact and unchangedintact and unchanged since its revelation (oralsince its revelation (oral
tradition)tradition)
 Principle source of Muslim faith and practicePrinciple source of Muslim faith and practice
 Children learn toChildren learn to memorizememorize the Qur’an as athe Qur’an as a
childchild
 Divided into 114Divided into 114 surassuras (chapters); longest(chapters); longest
chapter has 286 verses, the shortest has 3chapter has 286 verses, the shortest has 3
verses; approximately 78 000 words in lengthverses; approximately 78 000 words in length

16. Ka’bahKa’bah
 Ka’bahKa’bah- cube shaped building that- cube shaped building that
was built by Abraham to honourwas built by Abraham to honour
GodGod
 Viewed as Adam’s original place ofViewed as Adam’s original place of
worshipworship
 Was filled with idols as people inWas filled with idols as people in
Arabia followed polytheismArabia followed polytheism
 Muhammad- received revelationsMuhammad- received revelations
that led to Islam and monotheismthat led to Islam and monotheism
(and removal of idols)(and removal of idols)
 Site ofSite of hajjhajj- pilgrimage to Mecca- pilgrimage to Mecca

18. MuhammadMuhammad
 SEAL of the Prophets (last in a line of 28SEAL of the Prophets (last in a line of 28
Prophets who all preached the religion ofProphets who all preached the religion of
Islam)Islam)
 Born in 570 CEBorn in 570 CE
 Each succeeding Prophet added or improvedEach succeeding Prophet added or improved
upon the cumulative message of Islamupon the cumulative message of Islam

19.  Through Muhammand (PBUH), the messageThrough Muhammand (PBUH), the message
of Islam was completed and is preservedof Islam was completed and is preserved
intact in the Qur’anintact in the Qur’an
 In 622 CE, hijrah (migration) whereIn 622 CE, hijrah (migration) where
Muhammad moved from Mecca to MadinahMuhammad moved from Mecca to Madinah
(marks the beginning of the Muslim(marks the beginning of the Muslim
calendar)calendar)
 Islam spread to Arabia, Spain and as far EastIslam spread to Arabia, Spain and as far East
as Chinaas China

20. Day ofDay of
JudgmentJudgment
 All humans will be bodilyAll humans will be bodily
resurrected and assembledresurrected and assembled
for final accounting of deedsfor final accounting of deeds
 Soul will move on to afterlifeSoul will move on to afterlife
 Upon theUpon the Final JudgmentFinal Judgment = world will end and= world will end and
we will stand before God to confront our ownwe will stand before God to confront our own
life and actionslife and actions
 Desire for purified soul=Desire for purified soul= heavenheaven (eternal abode(eternal abode
of beauty and majesty)of beauty and majesty)
 Disbelievers and unpure soul=Disbelievers and unpure soul= hellhell (abode of(abode of
great torment and anguish)great torment and anguish)

21. JihadJihad
 Jihad does not mean “holy war”Jihad does not mean “holy war”
 Literally, jihad means toLiterally, jihad means to strive, struggle andstrive, struggle and
exert effort.exert effort.

22.  Concept includes struggle against evilConcept includes struggle against evil
inclinations within oneself, struggle toinclinations within oneself, struggle to
improve quality of life in society, struggle inimprove quality of life in society, struggle in
the battlefield for self defense or fightingthe battlefield for self defense or fighting
against tyranny or oppressionagainst tyranny or oppression
 There is no such thing as “holy war” inThere is no such thing as “holy war” in
Islam, but it is the frequent repetition in theIslam, but it is the frequent repetition in the
West that many people accept it as if it wereWest that many people accept it as if it were
a fact.a fact.

23. Islam: ControversialIslam: Controversial
IssuesIssues
 PolygamyPolygamy
 Jihad vs. Holy WarJihad vs. Holy War
 Hijab : liberation or suppressionHijab : liberation or suppression
 Muhammad Cartoons: freedom of speech vsMuhammad Cartoons: freedom of speech vs
freedom of religionfreedom of religion
 Appeal of Suicide BombersAppeal of Suicide Bombers
 Afghanistan's TalibanAfghanistan's Taliban
 War on IslamWar on Islam