Hello - Some Questions bout Islam

hi alphau, are u expecting short or long answers? seems like short answers are impossible without really putting forth it's meaning as it should be understood.

format_quote Originally Posted by alphau86

Hello. I am doing an assignment for a religion class and would love some input from members of the Islamic community. Sure I could simply do a google search and have all the answers I need to know, but I would prefer a more 'personalized' touch from members that profess Islam. I myself am a Christian and would love to see some differences between the religions. Some of my questions I need to cover are:

1.The Absolute- the most essential object or concept for muslims

no god or anything else is worthy of worship except The One True God, Who is Alone is Worthy of All Worship.

2.The World- Each religion has a particular view of the world- friendly, unfriendly neutral etc.

unclear

3.Humans- What are human beings? Are they animals with souls or not?

human beings are human beings

4.The Problem for Humans- Every religion defines a major problem for humans- Something is wrong that needs to be corrected

shirk, or worshiping other than The One True God

5.The Solution for Humans- What would make human lives ideal?

worshiping only The One True God

6.Community and Ethics- Participation in like minded groups to reinforce standards of conduct

unsure, but probably

7.An Interpretation of History- Each religion tells a story from the beginning of a people of faith

pretty much


8.Rituals and Symbols- Symbols are believed to share in the power of what they represent- they convey the power of what they represent. Rituals are actions repeated according to exact required order. Rituals and symbols are often used together , helping believers experience more than can be expressed in words.

prayer, fasting, charity. no symbols


9.Life After Death- Most religions answer the question of whether a human will live again after death.


Day of Judgment

10. Relationship to Other Religions- How should people of one religion relate to others from a different religion?

with good manners principally

Also, what are some things about Islam that you think other people should know for those that don't practice Islam?

unsure

Thanks for the time and effort for anyone who replies back to me with some answers. I look forward to seeing what some of you have to say.

Peace,

those are some short answers. anything you would like to see expanded?


peace,

Sam

As for worldview.. well this life is temporary while the afterlife is not. So generally how successfully materially someone might be in this world it is pointless if he is heedless of the hereafter. On the other hand someone who is very poor yet recognises that this life is only temporary would not let the challenges of this world overcome him. The entire universe in existence is evidence of the Creator. This is how a muslim should see the world. It is a beautiful "sign". So when we observe the beauty of this world we should recognise it's Creator. However there are those who are memerised by it's beauty yet they do not acknowledge the Creator. Those who are mesmerised by this world will form an attachment to it. The danger in this is that they might neglect the afterlife and focus solely on the pleasures of this world.

format_quote Originally Posted by alphau86

Thanks for your time on replying. As for the answers - I am doing this to supplement a paper I am writing, so feel free to go however in depth you want to. And again thanks for your time, it is much appreciated.

Peace,

here is a suggestion, go to this link

http://www.kalamullah.com/al-fatihah.html

cd 1 is an intro the Al Fatihah, the 1st Surah in the Qur'an. you'll find it very helpful.

if you want a little more in depth, cd 4 explains the term Alhamdulillah - "All genuine heartfelt thanks and praise are due to The Only One Worthy of Worship". it will further enhance your understanding.

if you want to be scholarly, cd 9 & 10 exlplain "You alone we Worship"; and cd 11 & 12 explain "(from) You Alone we seek Guidance. in Arabic iyyaka nabudu wa iyyaka estaeen, the one sentence sums up Islam. "You" is defined back in cd 4.

you can't get better of an explanation than those!

i hope it helps!

peace,

Sam

OK - as a not-quite-revert, I'm going to give this a try. I look forward to receiving corrected information from others. Sorry for not using a quote block, but there were too many italics!


1.The Absolute- the most essential object or concept for muslims
As it says in the Shahada: There is no god but God; Muhammad is the messenger of God.

2.The World- Each religion has a particular view of the world- friendly, unfriendly neutral etc.
I think the worldview is neutral. There are many temptations, but there are also signs of the mercy and wonder of God.
And on the earth are signs for those who have Faith with certainty. And also in your ownselves. Will you not then see? [Surah al-Dhaariyaat: 20-21]

3.Humans- What are human beings? Are they animals with souls or not?
Each was made individually, by God.
How can you disbelieve in Allah when you were lifeless and He brought you to life; then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you [back] to life, and then to Him you will be returned. It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth. Then He directed Himself to the heaven, [His being above all creation], and made them seven heavens, and He is Knowing of all things. And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority." They said, "Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?" Allah said, "Indeed, I know that which you do not know." And He taught Adam the names - all of them. Then He showed them to the angels and said, "Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful."[Surah al-Baqarah 2:28-31].

4.The Problem for Humans- Every religion defines a major problem for humans- Something is wrong that needs to be corrected.
Not following the path of God. In the story of Adem (Adam) and the fruit, Ibrahim (Abraham) and the idols, Musa (Moses) and the golden calf, and ever onward, there have been examples of people who do not follow the path of God, even when it is set before them. It is a constant obstacle to overcome.
Guide us to the straight path - The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray. [Surah al-Fatihah 1:6-7]

5.The Solution for Humans- What would make human lives ideal?
I think the answer to that is in my personal favorite Surah:
By time, Indeed, mankind is in loss, Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. [Surah Al 'Asr]

6.Community and Ethics- Participation in like minded groups to reinforce standards of conduct
Yes, people are encouraged to congregate with others of faith. Examples include weekly Friday prayer as a congregation to community meals (such as Iftars during Ramadan). Particularly in non-Muslim countries, I think this helps as an antidote to the pressures of the outside world.

7.An Interpretation of History- Each religion tells a story from the beginning of a people of faith
The Stories of the Prophets are a core set of tales that help with the foundation of belief.

8.Rituals and Symbols- Symbols are believed to share in the power of what they represent- they convey the power of what they represent. Rituals are actions repeated according to exact required order. Rituals and symbols are often used together , helping believers experience more than can be expressed in words.
There are specific rituals for life events (death, marriage) and seasonal events (Hajj, Eid al Adha). Symbols are minimized. The most common symbol is Allah, written in Arabic, particularly in calligraphy. The second most common thing I see is Bismillah Arrahmani Arraheem (In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful), again in Arabic calligraphy.

9.Life After Death- Most religions answer the question of whether a human will live again after death.
After death, there is paradise and hellfire. I think (someone correct me if I have this wrong please) that the hellfire is not a place to spend eternity, but is a purifying space where you repent your misdeeds. You can progress from the hellfire to paradise when ready. For others, the trip to paradise is quicker. At the end of the world (for that which was created can also be ended) I think this description is the simplest to understand.
That Day it will declare its information (about all what happened over it of good or evil). Because your Lord has commanded it. So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it. [Surah Az-Zalzalah 99:5-8]

(Moderators Note: Some people will indeed be removed from hellfire: http://islamqa.info/en/ref/96531
While some will stay in hellfire forever: http://islamqa.info/en/ref/45804)


10. Relationship to Other Religions- How should people of one religion relate to others from a different religion?
This is a bit that has a lot of contention because of some of the Arabic words carry a high emotional charge, disbelievers (kafirun) being one of them. There are some excellent lectures online (Iman Suhabib Webb comes to mind) that are worth watching for more information. My simplistic understanding of the origin of this Surah and the overall instruction for coexistence is that there was a time when Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) was negotiating with other people in Mecca who wanted to do some kind of crazy split year worship plan (even years, we follow our religion, odd years we follow yours). This Surah was revealed to Mohammed as a solution. I think it is particularly useful in the present day, where we have more diversity of faith and opinion in the global community.
Say [Mohammed to the others], "O disbelievers, I do not worship that which you worship, nor do you worship the One whom I worship. And neither I am going to worship that which you have worshipped, nor will you worship the One whom I worship. For you is your faith, and for me, my faith." [Surah al Kafirun]

Also, what are some things about Islam that you think other people should know for those that don't practice Islam?
At its core, Islam is about submitting to God, not blindly, but as thoughtful, contemplative people who are constantly encouraged to grow in faith by engaging in certain activities. Intentionally pausing through the day is something that is practiced by many as a way to improve one's life and health.