Preview

religion essay islam

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1404 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
religion essay islam
PART 1: EXTENDED RESPONSE ISLAM
Islam is the last of the major monotheistic traditions to emerge in history. Today, it is the second largest religion on Earth, numbering over a billion adherents. Islam being a highly popular religion in the world; beliefs, ethics, sacred texts & writings, rituals and ceremonies and its contribution to individuals need to be discussed to comprehend and understand the religion. Like all religions, Islam is based on belief with the purpose of requiring faith and trust, which Muslims, the adherents of Islam, have in their almighty God, Allah. The term Islam, frequently translated as ‘submission’ reflects the decision of a Muslim to abide in mind and body by the spirit of God. In this sense, beliefs and practice are impossible to separate; faith and practice are intertwined as one.

The belief system of a religion is the most important characteristic it shall uphold. The base of Islamic beliefs is the revelations the prophet Muhammad received from God, these revelations collectively, are known as the Qur’an. The Islamic Aqida, the creed, contains six key articles of beliefs as revealed by Allah: the belief in Allah as the one and only God, the belief in the holy books, belief in the Prophets, belief in angels, belief in the Day of Judgement; The day when the life of every human being will be assessed to decide whether they go to heaven or hell, and lastly the belief in Predestination; that Allah has the knowledge of all that will happen. The six fundamental beliefs are often condensed into three aspects: Tawhid – this expresses the oneness of Allah, everything on earth was conceived by him. It is Allah who is therefore the sustainer of the universe and the only source of human guidance. Risalah- refers to the important role played by the prophets in Islam; to share the religion of truth and make it victorious. Akhirah – refers to the important Muslim belief in a life after death. Tawhid, Risalah and Akhirah summarise the whole of



Bibliography: Egan, A. (2002). Living Islam. Oxford: Reed Educational and Professional Publishing Ltd. Gordon, M J. Morrissey, A. Taylor, G. Bailey, P. Mudge, P. Rule, N. Edghill. (2010). Living Religion Fourth Edition. Melbourne: Pearson Australia King, R Stefon, M. (2010) Islamic Beliefs and Practices. New York: Britannica Educational Publishing. Websites Space and Motion. 2012. Islamic Faith. http://www.spaceandmotion.com/religion-islam-muslim-islamic-quran.htm (accessed 17th, 26th, 28th, 29th March 2014) Islam Religion Religion Facts. 2014. Islam Facts. http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/index.htm (accessed 22nd, 23rd, 24th March 2014) ABC BBC. 2104. Religion: Islam. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/ (accessed 17th, 25th, 26th, 29th, 30th March 2014) Studies of Religion.org Why Islam.org. 2011. Morality and ethics. http://www.whyislam.org/social-values-in-islam/social-ties/morality-ethics-in-islam/ (accessed 17th, 19th March 2014) Islamic finder.org QUL. Org. 2014. Islamic ethics and religion http://www.qul.org.au/ (accessed 17th, 24th, 25th March 2014)

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    In every religion around the world, there are very important scriptures and beliefs on how the universe came into being. Christianity and Islam are no different than any other religion in those aspects. They have similar thoughts on things in the sacred scriptures they have, and they also have opposing views. Also, these two religions have different views on the creation of the universe, both of these topics will be discussed here. It is important to understand the views on the following topics by these two religions for a number of reasons. Christianity and Islam are the two largest religions in the world, with approximately 1.9 billion people being Christian and 1.1 billion people being Muslim. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. People in the future will have to learn to not have the typical stereotype of a Muslim, by knowing where they come from, people may learn to appreciate this religion and the people more.…

    • 3139 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Islam Worksheet

    • 498 Words
    • 2 Pages

    When studying Islam, it is important to understand the essential elements of the faith, how they are practiced, and the distinctions among the three branches: Shiite Islam, Sunni Islam, and Sufism.…

    • 498 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Islam CCOT Essay

    • 734 Words
    • 2 Pages

    From the 600s to the 1300s, the Arabic Peninsula changed vastly. Starting as a desert wasteland, they grew from a clan based society to a rich center of culture and world trade. From the Bedouin clans to the Umayyad Caliphate to the Abbasid Caliphate, internal fighting remained as a source of continuity and contributed to the downfall of the empire, while the status of women in society evolved drastically.…

    • 734 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    About 2000 years ago Christianity began, followed by Islam in 610 C.E. From the beginning of Christianity and Islam to about 1500, merchants and trade were viewed as dishonest and unmanly in the eyes of the Muslims, contrasting from the positive view of merchants by the Christians.…

    • 485 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    World Religions Report

    • 1974 Words
    • 8 Pages

    One of the religions that I find intriguing and chose to do an interview about is the Islamic religion. Known as Muslims the members of the Islamic religion originated in Saudi Arabia is the second largest religion in the world today. The founder of this religion was a man by the name of Mohammed. Mohammed was an orphan child his mother passed when he was two years of age and his father passed before he was born he was then raised by his grandfather who also passed and left him in the care of his son, Mohammed set out in search of the truth. Muslims are an organized religion they must adopt the five pillars of Islam which are five duties that each Muslim must commit to in order to be a Muslim. They also must pray five times a day each day and on Fridays they pray together in the Mosque, which is the Holy Temple that Muslims congregate at for worship. Islam is a monotheistic religion and they worship Allah. Mohammed was a prophet who came to bring the word of the holy Koran to the people so that they may find the truth in religion. From the interview that I conducted I found that Mohammed was a peaceful man who sought the truth. Not all Muslims are bad and those who terrorize people are known as extremists. Mohammed himself went to extreme measures to gain followers for this religion, his life story is important to Muslims because he brought the word of God and his teachings and sayings are recorded in the Hadith. The Five Pillars of Islam are five duties that all Muslims must live by in order to be a Muslim – Shahada: The declaration, Salat: Prayer, fasting Sawm: Ramadan, Zakat: charity, Hajj: journey to Mecca at least once in your life if you are healthy enough and your finances permit you to.…

    • 1974 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Nurses and all other healthcare workers come in contact with people of different faiths and religion on a daily bases. In the hospital, it is very critical to encourage religions participation when it is needed. This article points out the authors and Christians perspective in comparison to the Buddhism, Muslim, and Hindu faith approaches to healing. Cultural and spiritual diversity must be allowed in the hospitals as well as health care environments in order to provide complete healing.…

    • 1661 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Janet Morrissey, Peter Mudge, Adam Taylor, Greg Bailey, Paul Rule, 2005, Living Religion (Third Edition) Pearson Education Australia, Melbourne Australia p 261, 262,267-270…

    • 919 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Understanding Islam

    • 1309 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Islam is an ill-perceived religion throughout most of the Western world. Once known as a quiet and peaceful religion, the general perception of people from other religions and most of the world upon Islam is quite distorted. Ever since the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, an influx of discrimination and prejudice towards Islam and Muslims has spread throughout the world. In “Understanding Islam,” by Kenneth Jost, an article about several accounts of how Muslims are mistreated and stereotyped throughout the world, brings up a recent poll within the United States says that 45 percent of those surveyed has an unfavorable view of Islam. The article also states that a CBS poll in April 2006 found that 46 percent of those surveyed believe Islam encourages violence more than other religions. Westerners must recognize the need to combat the backlash of stereotypes and negativity towards Islam within the 21st century. In order to do so, we must first truly understand Islam by comprehending this unique faith and culture.…

    • 1309 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The core theology and beliefs of Islam inspires Muslims with a sense of meaning and direction in their lives. Paramount to Islamic beliefs are the Aqida ul-Islam or the Articles of Faith - the fundamental principles which direct, thus add meaning to an Islamic life, by dictating what Allah wills of His adherents. The first Article, the belief in Tahwid, the recognition of a singular being, installs meaning and purpose as Muslims live their lives in submission to their divine creator and His will for humans (Muslims). Tahwid outlines that there is only God, who establishes direction and meaning into a Muslim's life. (Sultan, 2004 pg. 25)…

    • 1666 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Islam is described as a living religious system that applies to an estimated one billion people globally. The key beliefs in Islam revolve around the elements of Tawhid, Akhira and the Books of Allah.…

    • 859 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Islam is one of the world’s largest monotheistic religions. It is characterized by a belief…

    • 609 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The standard beliefs of Islam are identified as theFive Doctrines of Islamic Faith. They are documented as such, the unquestioned unity of God, the belief in the prophets, the recognition of angels, belief in scripture or koran, and belief in the coming of Final Judgment. Islam is built on the five pillars or acts of worship.…

    • 410 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The word Islam is Arabic and means "submission to the will of God." Islam teaches that one must submit to God in Arabic in order to achieve true peace of mind. Allah is God, the same God Christians and Jews worship.The word Muslim means one who submits to the will of God, regardless of race, nationality or ethnic background. Muhammad is believed to be the final prophet. Human beings are not believed to be sinful, but are seen as capable of both good and evil. Muslims believe God has given people free will. It is known “One's deeds and actions measure one's faith”. Islamic teachings encompass all aspects of life and ethics; consciousness of God is encouraged in all aspects of human affairs. Worship in Islam is not limited to religious rituals. Muslims believe the Qur'an has been perfectly preserved in both its words and meaning in a living language. God's final revelation to humankind was publicly recited in front of both Muslim and non-Muslim communities during the lifetime of the Prophet.The Qur’an's main message is submit to Almighty God and worship Him alone. Muhammad, a documented, historic figure, lived in the full light of history. God sent the revelation to Muhammad over the course of 23 years, and he in turn preached and lived it. He was a man who lived a humble life in the service of God, and established an all-encompassing religion and way of life by showing what it means to be an ideal friend, husband, teacher, ruler, warrior and judge. The true balance of an Islamic life is established by having a healthy fear of God as well as a belief in His infinite Mercy. A life without fear of God leads to sin and…

    • 877 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable and that the purpose of existence is to worship God. Muslims also believe that Islam is the complete and universal version of a primordial faith that was revealed many times before through prophets including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. They maintain that the previous messages and revelations have been partially misinterpreted or altered over time, but consider the Arabic Qur'an to be both the unaltered and the final revelation of God. Religious concepts and practices include the five pillars of Islam, which are basic concepts and obligatory acts of worship, and following Islamic law, which touches on virtually every aspect of life and society, providing guidance on multifarious topics from banking and welfare, to family life and the environment.…

    • 4720 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    The word Islam has been derived from the Arabic verb Aslama, which means “to accept or surrender.” Thus Islam means the acceptance of God or surrender to the will of one God, Allah. It is based on the concept of Tawhid or monotheism declaring that “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His prophet.” The four main rituals compulsory on the faithful Muslims are offering salah five times a day, fasting in the month of Ramadan, performing the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime, paying the Zakat, and believing in the notion of shahadah came to be known as the five pillars of Islam. Alongwith following these rituals, a Muslim is also expected to read the Qur’an everyday and follow it (Islam, 2010).…

    • 2301 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Better Essays

Related Topics