About Islam

30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

About Islam

"Islam" is the Arabic word for submission to the will of God (Allah) and the name of the religion originating in Arabia during the 7th century AD through the Prophet Mohammed. Followers of Islam are known as Muslims, or Moslem's, and their religion embraces every aspect of life. Muslims believe that individuals, societies, and governments should all be obedient to the will of Allah as it is set forth in the Koran, which they regard as the word of Allah revealed to his messenger, Mohammed.

Terminology

- The Koran or Qur'an: teaches that Allah is one and has no partners. He is the creator of all things, and holds absolute power.

Shari'a: the sacred law of Islam which applies to all aspects of life, not just religious practices. It describes the Islamic way of life, and prescribes the way for a Muslim to fulfill the commands of Allah and reach heaven.

- There are two basic groups within Islam. Sunni Muslims are in the majority, and they recognize the first four caliphs as Mohammed's legitimate successors. The Shiites comprise the largest minority group, and regard the Imam as the principal religious authority.

- Ramadan: the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is during this month that Muslims observe the Fast of Ramadan. Dates for Ramadan 2006 (or the Islamic year of 1427) are 24 September thru 23 October. The name Ramadan is derived from the Arabic word ramida or ar-ramad, denoting intense scorching heat and dryness, especially the ground. Some say it is so called because Ramadan scorches out the sins with good deeds, as the sun burns the ground.

Muslims believe in:

- one God, the creator of all things
- angels and evil spirits
- prophets (Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, Mohammed): Mohammed was the last and greatest of the prophets
- the day of judgment
- destiny.

Muslims believe:

- the bible has been corrupted and modified
- that Jesus is only a prophet; was a good Muslim; taught an earlier form of Islam; was married and had children and that Jesus will be judged like everyone else.

Muslims do not believe:

- that they can know God (rather that they can only know about him)
- that Jesus is the Son of God who died, lay in the tomb and was risen by God the third day
- that Jesus is the world's true Lord and Savior.

Phil Parshall writes, "I have come to the conclusion that the power of Islam does not lie in its dogma and practices ...but in the occult practices of its leaders..." Indeed almost all Muslims are influenced by occult practices in one way or another from the smallest peasant lady to the presidents of vast nations. (Muslim Evangelism - Contemporary Approaches to Contextualization, p.101)

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The 30 Days International Team

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