An Introduction To Islam

AN INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM
 Islam - literally interpreted as “peace” or “submission.”

 Muslim – a follower of Islam who submits himself/herself to the will of Allah.
 Allah – the One True God.
MUHAMMAD
- born in the late 6th century. As a youth, he traveled the routes between Syria and Arabia,
working with merchants. He met many people of different religious beliefs and could
learn about Judaism, Christianity, and pagan religions.
- After marriage to Aisha, he spent more time in meditation at Mount Hira. In 610 Ce, he
was visited in Mecca by the angel Jibril, who ordered him to recite words. He developed
the conviction that these were words of God and that he was ordained a Prophet and
given the task of converting his countrymen from their polytheistic beliefs. He was faced
with opposition to his teachings and was persecuted for it.
- Through religious discussion, persuasion, military activity, and a political negotiation,
Muhammad became the most powerful leader in Arabia, and Islam was firmly
established throughout the area. Muhammad’s role as the last of the prophets
formalized, clarified, and purified the faith.
ISLAMIC BELIEFS
The Five Pillars of Islam
1. The Shahada (Witness) – testimony of faith “La ilah ha il Allah; Muhammad Rasul-
Allah,” which means “No deity by Allah; Muhammad is His Messenger.” This should be
said with conviction to convert to Islam.
2. The Salat (Prayer) – Muslims perform five daily prayers as an act of personal
communication with God. The prayers, said while facing in the direction of Mecca, are
scheduled early morning before the sunrise (Fajr), noon (Zuhr), late afternoon just before
sunset (Asr), after sunset (Maghrib), and evening (Isha). A purity ritual is prepared
before praying. A congretional prayer on Friday afternoon is compulsory for men. They
must be said in Mosque (place of worship), where a sermon is made and the prayers are
performed in uniform rows.
3. The Sakat (Alms) - all Muslims are obliged to give a charity tax of 2.5% of their wealth
and asset each year in excess of what is required to the less fortunate. It is considered
an act of worship because it is a form of offering out of gratitude to God for the well-
being one has fortunately acquired.
4. The Siyam (Fasting) - Fasting is another way to offer gratitude to Allah. During
Ramadan (the ninth month of the Islamic calendar), Muslims are prohibited to eat and
drink from dawn to dusk. This encourages a feeling of nearness to God. During fasting,
one should express gratitude for and dependence on God, atone for past sins, and think
of the needy. Sick, pregnant, and breastfeeding women and traveling Muslims can make
up lost days of fasting at a later time.
5. The Hajj (Pilgrimage) - The pilgrimage begins in Shawwal (the tenth month) and lasts
through the middle of Dhu al-Hijja (the twelfth month). Those who are physically and
financially capable are required to make pilgrimage to Mecca once during their lives. The
actual rites and prayers take place at the sacred Ka’ba in Mecca.
ARTICLES of FAITH
Muslims also believe in Six Pillars of Iman (Faith)
1. God - Muslims believe in a single, indivisible God who is omnipotent and merciful. Holy
Qu’ran mentions 25 prophets and indicates other messengers, including Adam, Noah,
Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, and the last prophet Muhammad. In Islam, Jesus Christ
is not considered the Son of God.
2. Angels - they also believe in angels (malak in Arabic, which means “messenger”). They
do not have free will and, therefore, obey God in total obedience. Their Duties are to
communicate revelations from God, glorify God, record every person’s deeds, and take
a person’s soul at the time of death. They have no form because pictorial depictions are
avoided in Islamic art.
3. Belief in God’s sacred books - The sacred books include Tawrat (Toraj), the Injil
(Gospels), Zabur (Psalms) and Qu’ran. Muslims believe that the Toraj and Injil have
become dissorted in interpretation. They respect them but only the Holy Qu’ran is free
from errors because it was dictated to Muhammad by the archangel for over an interval
of 23 years. It gives moral guidance than legal instructions and is considered the
sourcebook for Islamic principle and values.
4. Belief in Prophet’s Sunnah - The prophets sunnah (words, actions, and personal
characteristics) is collected into the Hadith (reports) which supplements and assists the
interpretation of the Qu’ran. Apart from these, Muslims defer to madh’habs. These are
schools of thought from the learned consensus of Ulema (scholars) and reasoning by
analogy from accepted interpretation of the Qu’ran and sunnah to recent problems not
directly addressed therein.
The four schools of thought are Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali, established around
the teachings of Abu Hanifa, Malikibn Anas, Muhammad al-Shafi’I, and Ahmad ibn
Hanbal, respectively. All these sources form a concept of revelation of God’s will to the
community and this composite source of teaching and practices is called the Shari’ah. It
includes strict instructions on topics of crime politics. Economics, as well as personal
issues, such as hygiene, diet, prayer, etiquette, and sexual activity. It is considered as
the infallible law of God.
5. Day of Judgement - on the Day of Judgement, people will be judged on the basis of
their good and bad deeds while on Earth. Unlike Christians, Muslims do not believe that
Jesus can save people from sin. The sinless will be rewarded and, after death sent to
heaven where there is physical and spiritual pleasure. Unbelievers and sinners will go to
hell as a punishment.
6. Qada and Qadar (Predestination) - There is a predestination of all things and events. It
is Allah’s decree, wisdom, actions, and will. Allah knows everything before it comes into
being and He knows what will happen. He has brought everything to existence in
accordance to His knowledge and design.
DENOMINATIONS
1. Sunni Islam is the largest denomination making up 75-90% of all Muslims. They
consider themselves Ahl as-Sunnah, which means “people of the tradition of
Muhammad.
2. Shia consists 10-20% of Islam and is considered the second largest branch. Shiites, or
the Shia followers, believe that Muhammad appointed his son-in-law, Ali ibn Talib, to be
his successor; therefore, they reject the legitimacy of the other Iman (leaders). Shia
embodies a completely independent system of authority, religious hierarchy, and
historical interpretation.
IMPACT of ISLAM to BUSINESS PRACTICES

1. Practice of Islam to Business Practices. Muslims are free to choose a way to earn a
livelihood within the limits set by the Islamic Shari’ah. One must operate with a sense of
responsibility to pursue lawful and just businesses.
2. Be honest and truthful. Qu’ran disapproves any wrongdoings. One must strive to earn
through legitimate transactions and interests. For example, making profit might lead to
temptations to enhance or exaggerate attributes during product presentation. Islam
encourages sincerity and purity of intentions. Avoid fraud, deception, and dubious
means to sell products.
3. Trade through mutual consent. The validity of a transaction depends on mutual
consent. Sales under coercion are not acceptable in Islam. Taking advantage of others’
plight and usury is exploitation and, therefore, forbidden.
4. Treat workers fairly. Islam encourages the spirit of brotherhood between employer and
employee. It is the moral responsibility of the employer to take care of the welfare of
his/her employees. They should be given fair wages and have good working conditions.
5. Keep one’s word. Muslims should honor and fulfill business obligations as promised.
According to Islamic teachings, contracts must clearly define the details and explicitly
enumerate the rights and obligations of the concerned parties.
6. Be humble. One should conduct life in accordance to the teachings of Allah. Muslims
should avoid extravagance and must exhibit goodwill in all transaction.
7. Seek halal earnings. Muslims are obliged to earn halal money, not just earn from any
enterprise. Muslims are prohibited to deal in haram (unlawful) items such as dead meat,
pigs and idols. They are also prohibited to sell commodities that are speculative or risky;
arbitrarily fix prices; hoard food items; exploit the ignorance in market conditions;
trickery; cheating; and fraud. No matter how rewarding the profits. Muslims must refrain
from engaging in riba (interest usury), gambling, liquor, and pornography.

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AN INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM

 Islam - literally interpreted as “peace” or “submission.”

IMPACT of ISLAM to BUSINESS PRACTICES

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