Introduction to Islam

Paper Summary:

This paper provides an account of how Islam came into being and how it manifests itself in the lives of its adherents today. Contrasts are made with other belief systems with a focus on Christianity.

Outline
Muhammad's Calling
Revelation of the Qur?an
The Three Sources of Teaching and Guidance
Islamic Expansion
Muhammad's Death Leads to Division
The Five Pillars of Islam
The Teaching of Islam and Daily Conduct of Muslims
Soul, Resurrection, Paradise, and Hellfire
Monogamy or Polygamy?
Islam and Daily Life
Conflict With and Within Christendom

From the Paper:

"Muhammad's call to be a prophet took place when he was about 40 years of age. He had the custom of going alone to a nearby mountain cave, called Ghar Hira, for meditation, and he claimed that it was on one of these occasions that he received the call to be a prophet. Muslim tradition relates that while he was there, an angel, later identified as Gabriel, commanded him to recite in the name of Allah. Muhammad failed to respond, so the angel 'caught him forcefully and pressed him so hard that he could not bear it anymore.' Then the angel repeated the command. Again, Muhammad failed to react, so the angel 'choked him' again. This occurred three times before Muhammad started to recite what came to be viewed as the first of a series of revelations that constitute the Qur?an. Another tradition relates that divine inspiration was revealed to Muhammad like the ringing of a bell."

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