Teachings of Islam - Research Paper Example

? Teachings of Islam: beliefs and misconceptions Teachings of Islam Introduction Islam is the religion practiced by Muslims all over the world. The religion originated in 610 A.D with the declaration of Prophet Mohammad as its prophet. It is the second largest religion with a following of over one billion people that constitute over one-fifth of humanity. (Islam, an overview for christians) In the U.S alone Muslims make up over 6-8 million of the population (A brief history of islam in the United states). The American Muslims are free to practice their beliefs but there are many misconceptions about the beliefs and the tenets of Islam. Islam is just another monotheistic religion like Judaism and Christianity and like them preaches the oneness of God whom the Muslims call Allah. There are differences present in the practices but Islam in originality is a peaceful religion and it is the practice of the few which has gotten it labeled as a terrorist, violent or extremist religion. The basic beliefs and tenets of Islam The main belief of Islam lies in monotheism. Islam's fundamental belief is that God is one and Mohammad is His messenger. This belief can be elaborated by believing that God is one and supreme, unique, all encompassing and powerful. The second belief lies in the prophet hood of prophet Mohammad who initiated the religion in 610 A.D. Their belief relative to prophets is that prophets are human being sent for the guidance and showing the right path. Also that out of many prophets sent by God Mohammad is the last prophet. Thus Islam acknowledges the presence and the prophet hood of Jew and Christian prophets like Jesus, Moses etc and their names are mentioned in the holy book of Muslims, the Quran. The third belief of Islam states that God sent Holy books of which Quran is meant to be for eternal guidance and all other books are negated by the revelation of Quran. The fourth belief lies in angels who are pure non-human beings performing divine jobs and the last belief lies in resurrection and the day of judgment. This day of judgment, according to Muslim beliefs will be the day when all actions will be weighed and decision regarding heavens or hell will be made. (Alhoda, 2001) There are five basic tenets of Islam of which the first and the foremost is belief in God with all his attributes and attributing no other partners with him. The second is saying prayers five times a day and men gathering in the mosque for Friday afternoon prayers. The third is fasting from dawn to duck in the Holy month of Ramadan (Muslims follow the lunar calendar) and the fourth is giving a fixed percentage of wealth in the path of God to the poor and the needy. The last is performing pilgrimage to Mecca once in the lifetime for all those who can afford to do so. (Devera) Islam and Muslims in the U.S Muslims entered the United States as Moriscoes who accompanied Columbus when the continent was first discovered. These were followed by slaves who were brought to work in the US and the waves of migrations increased the number of Muslims (Kabourra). In the U.S. today there are between 6-8 million Muslims in the United States out of which African-Americans are predominant. It is the fastest growing faith in the United States (A brief history of islam in the United states) and mosques, Islamic centers and Islamic schools are found in every Muslim community. Regional and national conferences of Muslims are held and issues of common concern are streamlined. Muslims in the USA are allowed to freely practice their religion and MSA's (Muslim Students Association) are present and active in all colleges and universities. A survey reports that there are 1000 mosques, 400 Islamic schools, 400 associations and over 80 Islamic publications in the US. (A brief history of islam in the United states). Thus Muslims in the United States can practice their religion more freely than a few Islamic countries for example like Turkey where the headscarf is banned or like Egypt or Morocco where being extremely devout is often penalized. (Brunin) Muslims in the US are fairly diverse. They belong to different sects ie the Sunni and the Shiite and they have many identities including the conservative or the liberal, the orthodox or the heterodox. There are first generation immigrants, children or second or third level immigrants or new converts to Islam. 36% of American Muslims are born in the US while 64% were born in 80 different countries over the world. (Bukhari, 2003). They are an affluent professional community with half of American Muslims having a family annual income of more than $50000. (Bukhari, 2003). 19% of the total Muslim population is a convert to Islam, mostly after reading up on this religion and by the influence of a fellow Muslim. Thus Islam if practiced in its true form can serve as an inspiration for others to be influenced from its teachings. View of Islam in the U.S The word Islam is derived from the Arabic "Salam" which means peace. Islam is essentially a peaceful religion which does not believe in violence and it is ignorance and the vicious acts of a few extremists which has gotten it stereotyped into a violent, extremist or terrorist religion. Before September 11 2001, Muslims and other American faiths lived in harmony and peace with values of compassion and religious tolerance which are common to both Muslim and American culture but the horrific events of September 2001 changed these perceptions. American general public opinions changed drastically and between March 2001 and May 2003 American popular public opinion changed drastically for the worst. (Kohut, 2003) This was also partly due to ignorance and 57% of Americans believed that Islam is not similar to their religion (Kohut, 2003) though reality based on analysis of these religions proved otherwise. True there are cultural differences between Islam and the West but Islam coexists with all religions if it is given enough space to breathe. Perceptions of Muslims can be improved by removing the stereotypical view of conservative, extremist and terrorist Islam and presenting it as a more compassionate, tolerant and loving religion. Comparison of Islam with other religions Islam, Christianity and Judaism share the same basic theology which is monotheism but they are fundamentally different. They all advocate prophets but Islam considers prophets essentially human beings as compared to Christianity's trinity and Jesus being the son of God. Islam is a more work-oriented religion as compared to Christianity which is more salvation by faith-oriented. Muslims believe that Jesus was a Holy Prophet but was a human being and a man and believe in the resurrection of Jesus as they believe that Jesus did not die on the cross but was raised to the heavens. (Islam, an overview for christians). Thus the main dispute in beliefs of Christianity and Islam lies in the mystery of trinity and the Prophets. Islam believes that the prophet hood of Muhammad has negated the teachings of all previous prophets. Christianity has three basic rituals which include baptism, communion and Sunday worship. Muslim rituals include profession of faith, prayers, fasting, charity and pilgrimage. (Devera). Muslims acknowledge the prophet hood of previous prophets and of those Holy books but their belief is that they are altered versions of the book and not to be followed. (Comparing and contrasting Christianity and Islam) Discussion of Islam in Pakistan Pakistan is a country which was found on the basis of Islamic ideology and with the view of allowing Muslims to practice their religion freely without oppression. With a total population of 14 billion out of which 99% is Muslim. Both Islamic sects, the Sunni and the Shiite are found in Pakistan with Sunnis being predominant. Islam is widely practiced and orthodox practices are common. The law of the state is often derived from Islamic teachings and the constitution states that its preamble is the belief in one God. Mosques are widespread as well as madrassa's for Islamic education and misconceptions about the West and their anti-Islamic tactics are rife. Eating and drinking is prohibited in the month of Ramadan and popular Pakistani culture is a reflective of Islamic culture though distorted at places. Some areas in Pakistan particularly those near the Afghan border are home to people with extreme and conservative orthodox practices. Islam and interaction with other religions The prophet of Islam has peaceful relationships with people of all religions and never in his lifetime fought a war until triggered or attacked by others. He even forgave people who made life attempts on him and prayed for the salvation of everyone. This is in contrast to the popular public image. There is a need or more rapport between average Americans and its Muslim population. The biased media opinions frame opinions stereotypical opinions which portray the west being anti-Islamic and Islam being violent, which is a result of the acts of a selected few. This vicious cycle has to be broken by more communication, tolerant interaction and a presentation of a more compassionate view of religion. Muslims need to spread the world that they are more than weapon-bearing, bearded men who are also interested in a progressive world to remove prejudice. Conclusion Islam is a loving, caring and peaceful religion which insists on living a pure, God-fearing and balanced life. These basic tenets and beliefs of Islam are not in vogue giving rise to misconceptions about Muslims. The basic message of Islam is love, the practicing of its five basic tenets and living in peace and harmony. Deviation from this has given rise to hatred which can be removed by practicing Islam as it is. Muslims can take advantage of the freedom to practice religion in the US to portray a better image of Islam. References A brief history of islam in the United states. (n.d.). Retrieved February 18, 2011, from islamfortoday: http://www.islamfortoday.com/historyusa1.htm Alhoda. (2001). What is Islam? UK: Alhoda . Brunin, D. (n.d.). Living as a muslim in America. Retrieved February 18, 2011, from helium: http://www.helium.com/items/318175-living-as-a-muslim-in-america Bukhari, Z. (2003). Demography, Identity, Space: Defining American Muslims. In D. T. Philippa Strum, MUSLIMS IN THE UNITED STATES (pp. 7-20). Woodrow Wilson. Comparing and contrasting Christianity and Islam. (n.d.). Retrieved February 18, 2011, from http://www.religioustolerance.org/comp_isl_chr.htm Devera, J. (n.d.). The differences between Islam and Christianity. Retrieved February 18, 2011, from helium: http://www.helium.com/items/1861703-difference-between-islam-and-christianity?page=5 Farajaje, D. I. (2004). History of Islam in the United states. STARR KING SCHOOL for the MINISTRY. Islam, an overview for christians. (n.d.). Retrieved February 18, 2011, from http://www.christiananswers.net/islam.html Kabourra, R. a. (n.d.). Living as a muslim in America. Retrieved February 18, 2011, from helium: http://www.helium.com/items/740770-living-as-a-muslim-in-america Kalin, I. (2004). ROOTS OF MISCONCEPTION: EURO-AMERICAN PERCEPTIONS OF ISLAM BEFORE AND AFTER SEPTEMBER 11. In o. E. Lumbard, Islam, Fundamentalism, and the Betrayal of Tradition (pp. 43-187). World Wisdom Inc. Kohut, S. K. (2003). American Public Opinion about Muslims in the U.S. & Abroad. In P. Strum, Muslims in the United Atates (pp. 185-196). Woodrow Wilson. Read More