World Religions Report

World Religions Report

I . Introduction

Islam is one of the world 's greatest religions , founded in the seventh century A .D . by Mohammed . The word Islam means submission (to the will of God . Followers of Islam are called Moslems or Muslims , terms that mean those who submit (to the will of God . Non-Moslems sometimes call the religion Mohammedanism and its followers Mohammedans Moslems , however , dislike these terms because they imply the worship of Mohammed , their prophet , rather than God

There are more than a billion Moslems worldwide , making up about

one-eighth of the earth 's population . Islam began in Arabia in the seventh century A .D . and spread rapidly to become the principal religion of northern Africa and western Asia . It also extends into the Balkans and across Pakistan and Bangladesh to Malaysia , Indonesia , and the Philippines . It has extended into sub-Saharan Africa : Sudan , Niger Nigeria , Burkina Faso , and Mauritania . Islam is the fastest-growing religion in Africa . The Moslem population in the United States consists mostly of immigrants from Pakistan , Iran , and Arab countries . There are also a number of Islamic sects among the country 's black population (Endress , 1999

This intends to know deeper about Islam and how is it different from Buddhism

II . Background

The beginnings of Islam go back to Mohammed 's preaching in his native Mecca . However , the faith did not become fully developed until he moved to Medina (until then called Yathrib ) in 662 A .D . His migration to medina , called the Hegira , begins the Moslem calendar

Mohammed 's early successors - especially Omar , the second caliph - expanded Islam through conquest . The Moslem warriors believed that if they died for Islam they would automatically go to heaven . This belief plus the promise land and loot , spurred the Moslem armies on to conquer the Middle East , North Africa , and Spain . They almost overran southwestern Europe under Charles Martel at the Battle of Tours (732

Early Conflicts

During the period of conquest , bitter theological and political dissension developed among the Moslems . In the selection of early caliphs (successors to Mohammed as rulers of the Moslem world , Ali son-in-law of Mohammed , was bypassed . The third caliph , a member of the Omayya (Umayya ) family , was murdered by malcontents in 656 , and Ali was elected to succeed him . Muawiyah , the Omayyad governor of Syria , refused to recognize Ali as caliph

When Ali was murdered in 661 by a member of a dissident sect , Muawiyah succeeded him , moved the Moslem capital from Median to Damascus , and made the caliphate hereditary in the Omayya family . Military force was required to establish the new caliph 's political authority . Spiritually most Moslems never accepted him (Roberts , 2002 . The followers of Ali formed a new branch of Islam - the Shiite , as opposed to the Sunnite , or orthodox , branch . Smaller groups continued to break away from orthodox teaching , also , and there was increasing schism in the Moslem world

Changing Patterns

In the eight century a secret revolutionary movement against the Omayyad dynasty was led by the Abbasids , descendants of Abbas Mohammed 's uncle . The movement began in Mesopotamia and spread east through Persia . In 747 open revolt began , and in 750 the Omayyad dynasty was overthrown and the Abbasids assumed power . The most significant aspect of the Abbasid caliphate was the Persian influence . The new capital , Baghdad , developed into a major cultural as well as political center (Roberts , 2002 . The sciences and philosophy of the Greeks and Persians were translated into Arabic and spread throughout the Moslem world , setting of a surge of intellectual activity such as had not been seen since the days of ancient Greece

During the rule of the Abbasids the Moslem world lost its political unit , as first Spain and then the North African countries set up caliphates independent in Baghdad . In the ninth century there were new Moslem conquests in Europe - Sardinia , Malta , Sicily , and regions of southern Italy . The Christians regained all European territory , however before the 14th century (Roberts , 2002

III . Discussion

A . Name of church and its location

The church that I visited for this interview is just near to where I live . It is a local Mosque in my town called the Islamic Society of Central Jersey . I really find time in visiting this church because it really interests me . I choose this religion , Islam , because as far as I know it is the second largest religion and is still growing . Islam prays for peace and unity . In addition , it would be easier for me to gather information related to Islam because I have a lot of friends who are Muslim and some materials such as Qur 'an , books , websites and web rings . I also need to go to Rutgers University to the Educational center for Islam

Furthermore , in conducting this interview would not be difficult in my part because as I have said earlier , I have a lot of Muslim friends and they are very knowledgeable about their religion

B . Interview summary

Before I visited the place , I make sure that I have prepared questions that would help me draw informative details about Islam . These questions will also guide me on what will I do when I am already in Islamic Society of Central Jersey . Moreover , I am fortunate to conduct an interview with Abdul , an Islam believer . Abdul says that when he hears the name Allah , the first thing that comes to his mind is God . He elaborates that in his religion , real women are considered as home keepers that would raise the kids and need to be separated in the Mosque because of the women 's features . In addition , he says that if we take a look at many societies today , a woman is only valued and considered important if she performs the functions of a man . But the man should be the breadwinner and not the woman because religion gives a man authority . On the other hand , male Muslims do not wear gold but silver because gold jewelry is only worn by women and most of the time it is given by their husbands . He adds too that a man should never shake a woman 's hand that is not married to him but are now aloud to make eye contact with women

On the other hand , Abdul says that he is sad about the 9 /11 tragedy . He adds that those people who act out the 9 /11 tragedy are ignorant because Islam teaches you should never hurt another human being

Moreover , he adds that they pray 5 times a day and Friday is their Sabbath day which starts at 1 :30 . They believe that if you pray on that day you would be sinless . The further and more people you pray , the more reward you get . Abdul does not fail to discuss what Ramadan is all about and EID . He says that Ramadan is the Five Pillars of Islam . The month of Ramadan Muslims spend the daylight hours in a complete fast . Holy Qur 'an was given to the prophet Muhammad . While EID is one of the two Islamic feasts celebrated each year and the family gets together and has a good time . It lasts for four days . In addition , he says too that Muslims are made up of two sects which are the Skeikh and Sunna . Skeikh believes the teaching of the words of the Prophet while Sunna Muslims believe in Sunna of the Prophet

Furthermore , Abdul states that Islam gives him inner peace and he is teaching his children the way he was taught to respect and showing kindness to others . Dress code does not apply to him but his wife wears a hijab that covers her head

C . Comparing and contrasting Islam with Buddhism

Buddhism is a religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama ( Buddha ' or The Enlightened One ) in India about 500 B .C . Buddhism is the chief religion of Burma , Sri Lanka , Thailand , Japan , Korea , Mongolia Kampuchea , Laos , and China . It has been estimated that about one-fifth of the world 's people are Buddhists . Because many Buddhists also practice Confucianism or Taoism , however , some authorities estimate world membership to be much smaller . In the United States , there are a number of organized Buddhist congregations (Carrithers , 2003

Buddhism consists of numerous sects with varying practices and beliefs Some of these sects are so different from the others that they appear to be separate religions . But all sects have in common the belief that they are following the principles laid down by Gautama . Early Buddhism , the religion as taught by Gautama , developed into two branches - Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism (Mizuno , 2001

Beliefs and Practices . Although Buddhism was originally a reform movement that rejected certain beliefs and practices of Hinduism , the two religions have several important beliefs in common . Among them are reincarnation , the ideas that a living thing can be reborn in a new body the law of karma , which holds that events in life are effects whose cause lies in previous lives and acts and liberation , or salvation , the state of being free of the law of karma and rebirth (Conze , 2002

According to Buddhism , liberation is attained through understanding and practice of the Four Noble Truths

There is suffering in life

Suffering is caused by desire for pleasure , existence , and prosperity

Suffering and rebirth cease when one ceases such desires , leading to enlightenment , or Nirvana , a blessed state in which peace , harmony , and joy are attained

The way , or path , to Nirvana is the Eightfold Path , summarized as

Right understanding

Right thoughts

Right speech

Right conduct

Right occupation

Right effort

Right mindfulness

Right meditation

The Eightfold Path is also called the Middle Way - because of its emphasis on avoiding such extremes as following sensuous pleasures on the one hand , and self-punishment on the other . The Buddhists must at all times observe in the high moral principles described in the Eightfold path , which emphasizes nonviolence and the brotherhood of all

Perhaps the best-known Buddhist scriptures are the Tripitaka ( Three Baskets , first written down in Ceylon (Sri Lanka ) in the Pali language about 25 B .C . A new , authoritative edition was prepared by the Sixth Buddhist Council at Rangoon , Burma , in 1954-56 . The three Pitakas are about four times as long as the Bible (Mizuno , 2001

The early sacred writings of Buddhism contain no notion of an absolute God , an immortal soul , or a first cause . The idea of God or soul in Buddhism is better understood not in the Christian sense , but rather in terms of that which underlies the condition called Nirvana

Theravada Buddhism

The name Theravada means the way of the elders ' It is an austere religion that requires solitude , meditation , and self-mastery through which each member hopes to achieve Nirvana . Because of these requirements , the possibility of liberation is limited to a few . Many of its followers are monks and nuns who spend most of their time in meditation and teaching . Theravada Buddhism is sometimes called Hinayana Buddhism ' Hinayana meaning small vehicles ' but this term is not accepted by followers of the religion

Mahayana Buddhism

Mahayana means large vehicle ' It is a less austere system than Theravada Buddhism and emphasizes liberation for everyone . Many Mahayana Buddhists believe in liberation through good faith and good works . Their object is not only to obtain a personal Nirvana , but to help others to that goal

The Mahayana branch has developed a system of ideal Buddhas , or enlightened ones . The most important Buddha is the Amitabha , or Amida Budhha , to whom members can appeal for deliverance . Some Mahana Buddhists also believe in a goddess , a symbol of compassion , who is called Kwan Yin in China and Kwannon in Japan

Mahayana Buddhists have elaborate temples presided over by priests They have colorful festivals and solemn rituals . Statues of the various Buddhas and Bodhisattras (Buddhas-to-be ) play a part in their worship but the statues themselves are not worshiped . Mahayana Buddhism is divided into many sects , including Zen , Jodo , Shin , Tendai , and Nichiren Shoshu (Soka Gakkai

b ) Islam beliefs and practices

God

Moslems worship one God , called Allah (Arabic for The God . The believe Allah stands alone , has an absolute will , and controls all of man 's actions . In most other respects , however , he resembles the Christian and Jewish God

Apostles

According to Islamic doctrine , God gave certain men the power to communicate with him through his angels . The function of these men was to guide other mortals to Salvation . The greatest of these prophets were Adam , Noah , the house of Abraham , Moses , Jesus , and Mohammed . Moslems accept the miracles and virgin birth of Jesus , but deny his divinity and resurrection . They do not attribute superhuman or miraculous powers to Mohammed , but simply consider him to be the last (and hence the most authoritative ) of all the prophets (Nasr , 1999

Koran

The Koran is the basic source of Islamic law and ritual . Moslems believe it was dictated to Mohammed by God , through the angel Gabriel

The Hadith

The Koran is supplemented by the Hadith (tradition , consisting of the Ahadis (sayings ) and Sunna (practice ) of Mohammed . The Hadith was handed down orally for more than 200 years before being written down . It and the Koran are the sources of Islamic law . Sunna ' in a larger sense means the theory and practice of orthodox Islam , as based on the Koran and the Hadith . Further opinions and practices accepted by the highest Islamic learned men become articles of faith known as ijma (agreement (Nasr , 1999

Angels

The Islamic concept of angels is almost identical with the Christian belief that angels are God 's messengers , his link with mortal man

Last Judgment

Like Christians , Moslems believe in a Judgment Day , when righteousness will be rewarded and wickedness will be punished . The Koran 's of Judgment Day is generally similar to the Bible 's although the details differ (Nasr , 1999

B . Obligations

A Moslem has five religious obligations , called the Five Pillars They are

Profession of Faith

A Moslem 's most essential obligation is the repetition of this creed There is no God but Allah Mohammed is His prophet

Prayer

Prayers must be said five times each day . They may be said either privately or at the mosque . In public worship , men and women are usually separated . A worshiper precedes prayer with a ritual washing . He then faces the holy city of Mecca and follows a fixed ritual of recitation and prostration . On Fridays , a worship service at the mosque is required . Besides the ritual prayers , the service includes a reading from the Koran and a sermon (Lippman , 2002

Almsgiving

Moslems are expected to contribute generously to their religion . The money is used to maintain the mosques and to help the poor

Fasting

Moslems cannot eat or drink during the daylight hours of Ramadan , the ninth month of their lunar year

Pilgrimage

Once in his lifetime , every Moslem who is financially and physically able must travel to Mecca . This pilgrimage is called the hajj , or hadj A Moslem who has made it is a hajji . The pilgrim participates in a number of observances

Circling the Kaaba

It is the pilgrim 's first and last act . The Kaaba is a sacred structure in one corner of which is embedded the Black Stone , a meteorite that fell in ancient times and acquired symbolic significance . The pilgrim circles this structure seven times , kissing the Black Stone each time (Lippman , 2002

The Running

It consists of trotting seven times between two low hills on opposite sides of Mecca . This act represents a search for water by Hagar , mother of Ishmael , whose story from the Old Testament was adopted as part of Moslem tradition (Lippman , 2002

The Standing

The Standing at the Plain of Arafat , 25 miles (40 km ) east of Mecca consists of a day of meditating and praying , facing Mecca

Stoning the Pillars at Mina

Stoning the Pillars at Mina , 5 miles (8 km ) east of Mecca , is an act in which pilgrims throw seven stones at pillars , symbolically attacking the devil

Feast of Sacrifice

Feast of Sacrifice consists of the slaughtering of an animal by pilgrims who can afford to as a thanksgiving to Allah

Religious War

Some Moslems consider it an obligation to spread Islam by force , or holy war (jihad . This belief is not specifically stated in the Koran

Islamic Law

The basic ethical code of Islam comes from the Koran . The most important rule is that all Moslems are bothers . The Koran encourages charity , authorizes slavery , and prohibits wine , gambling , and the eating of pork . A Moslem may have as many as four wives , and divorce is permitted . Divorce is effected by the husband telling his wife three times I divorce thee

The Koran does not provide a political structure for Islam and Mohammed did not reveal how the religion should be organized after his death . His close associates elected a successor , called a caliph , to take his place as a leader - but not as a prophet . This system was called the caliphate and survived until 1924 . At the present time , there is no universal Moslem leader (Lippman , 2002

C . Sects

There are two great divisions of Islam - the Sunnites (traditionalists and the Shiites (legitimists . The Sunnites are the orthodox Moslems and are in the majority . The Shiites believe that Ali , Mohammed 's son-in-law and the fourth caliph , had divine powers . They claim that he was the first legitimate caliph and that his heirs , also divinely inspired , were the rightful rulers of Islam . These rulers are called imams (Klein 2005

The Shiites broke off from orthodox Islam beginning about 679 and soon divided into a number of sects . The Imami , or Twelvers , recognize a continuing series of purely secular imams . Another sect , the Ismailis or Seveners , recognize the same first six imams as the other sects and a seventh not recognized by the others . Historically there have been numerous extreme offshoots of the Ismailis , including the notorious Assassins

The only important group to break off from the Sunnites in modern times is the Wahhabis , who have attempted to rid the faith of what they consider corruptions . The movement began in Arabia in the 1970 's and was marked by a series of bloody wars during the 19th century . The Wahhabis have ruled Saudi Arabia since the 1920 's (Klein , 2005

IV . Conclusion

Islam is a severe but simple religion . Moslems consider it to be an extension of Christianity and Judaism , but they believe the Christian Trinity is blasphemy and deny the divinity of Jesus . There is no ordained ministry or priesthood , although there are religious teachers called ulama , or mullahs , and religious s consisting of sufis (mystics ) called dervishes . Islam 's holy book is the Koran (or Qur 'an

Reference

1 . Carrithers , Michael . The Buddha (Oxford University 2003

2 . Conze , Edward . A Short History of Buddhism (Allen Unwin , 2002

3 . Endress , Gerhard . An Introduction to Islamic History (Edinburgh University , 1999

4 . Lippman , T .W . Understanding Islam : an Introduction to the Moslem World (New American Library , 2002

5 . Klein , F . A . The Religion of Islam . London : Curzon , 2005 . Reprint of classic study , first published , 1996

6 . Mizuno , Kogen . Basic Buddhist Concepts (Tuttle , 2001

7 . Nasr , Seyyed Hossein . Ideals and Realities of Islam . London : Allen Unwin , 1999 . Standard textbook

8 . Roberts , D . S . Islam : a Concise Introduction . New York : Harper Row 2002 . Accessible information on varied aspects of the Islamic world

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