The Qur’an
This is a quote from the back cover of Abdullah Yusuf Ali’s widely accepted 1934 translation: “The Qur’an is a complete and original compilation of the Final Revelation from God to mankind through the last Prophet, Muhammad. Peace be upon him. The Qur’an has essentially three qualities that make it universal. Firstly, it is a masterpiece of immense literary value. Secondly, though its message is a continuation of that contained in the earlier Revelations made to Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus, yet this message has a sense of fulfillment and originality that attracts toward it Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. Finally, it has a wealth of information --both worldly wisdom and intellectual conceptions--which provides the code of life for mankind.”
The Qur’an is approximately the same length as the Bible New Testament. It was given to Muhammad through revelation in Arabic by the angel Gabriel over the period 610 to 623 c.e.d. Muslims believe that it was the greatest miracle for an untutored and illiterate prophet to bring forth a divine book of incomparable beauty, truth, power, and majesty.
The text seems to have no beginning, middle, or end, its non-linear structure being akin to a web or net.
The Qur’an is an oral tradition, not a written one. It is primarily the sound of the oral recitation (in Arabic) which is the distinguishing characteristic of Islam, the religion of the Muslims. It is considered a great honor to memorize the entire Qur’an and recite it correctly by heart. Many Muslim students work for years to attain this goal.
A devout Muslim will not open a volume of the Qur’an without first performing the ritual of cleansing and saying the words, “In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.”
Islam
Islam has over one billion members in the year 2010. The ten countries with the largest Muslim populations are in order: Pakistan (96%), India (14%), Bangladesh (89%), Indonesia (56%), Turkey (97%), Iran (98%), Egypt (85%), Nigeria (42%), Algeria (96%), and Morocco (98%). The next ten countries are Afghanistan (99%), Iraq (97%), Ethiopia (34%), Sudan (71%), Saudi Arabia (93%), Yemen (99%), Uzbekistan (76%), China (1.5%), Syria (92%), and Russia (10%). The majority of Muslims (75%) are not Arabs. There are approximately the same number of Muslims in North America as Mormons (6 million). There are over 30 million Muslims in Europe, mainly emigrants from Africa during the 20th century.
Islam discourages or, in many cases, prohibits proselyting by non-Muslim groups and there are severe strictures against Muslims converting to other faiths.
The three holy cities of Islam are Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. These are associated with Muhammad’s birth, burial, and ascension. The 2 major groups are Sunni (85%) and Shiite (15%). Iran is the center for the Shiites.
The five pillars of Islam are the following duties: witness of faith, ritual prayer 5 times a day, almsgiving (2.5% of personal wealth), fasting during the month of Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The witness of faith is the declaration, “I witness that there is no God but Allah, and I witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” The phrase, “In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate” is the opening phrase in every surah (chapter) of the Qur’an except the ninth. This brief invocation is ubiquitous in Muslim culture. It is recited during ritual prayers 5 times each day, uttered before eating food, printed at the top of government forms, and inscribed above gateways and portals of schools houses and office buildings. Incidentally, polygamy is allowed but not recommended by the Qur’an, four wives being the maximum. Alcohol consumption is prohibited.
Contemporary Islamic tradition clearly identifies Ishmael, not Isaac, as the son of Abraham who was to be sacrificed. The Grand Mosque and the Ka’aba in Mecca is the most sacred site in Islam. The visit to Mecca is the highest form of devotion for Muslims. Only Muslims are permitted to enter the area around the holy cites of Mecca and Medina. Part of the ritual activities is to circle the Ka’aba seven times. The black-draped cubicle contains the black stone and was, according to legend, first built by Abraham and his son Ishmael.
The Islamic Movement
The push by Muslims to reform their societies according to Islamic principles of equity and justice is often referred to as the “Islamic Movement.” The slogan “Islam is the solution” has become ubiquitous in the Islamic world. The ultimate goal of all Islamists is the establishment of an Islamic state that applies Islamic laws and principles in every phase of public and private life including economics, politics, education, and family.
1 comment:
Four wives for 2.5%? I think I need to reconsider my investments.
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