What Does Muhammad represent to Muslims?, Exams of Religion

Download What Does Muhammad represent to Muslims? and more Exams Religion in PDF only on Docsity! What Does Muhammad represent to Muslims? BS Foad, MD Islamic center of greater Cincinnati 2016 Muhammad is a descendant of Ibrahim (Abraham). Muslims follow Abraham Moses & Jesus are descendants of Isaac & Jacob (Israel). Muhammad is a descendant of Isma’il (Ishma’il) All three monotheistic religions are represented by descendants of Abraham, confirming the covenant between God & Abraham “Then We revealed to you (O Muhammad): “Follow the ways of Abraham, the true in faith” An-Nahl (The Bees) 16: 123 “Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to Allah (God), does good and follows the way of Abraham the true in faith, for Allah did take Abraham for a friend” (An-Nesa’a (The Women) 4: 125 Sources of knowledge in Islam Muhammad was given the Qur’an by inspiration from God Muhammad also was inspired by God to explain the Qur’an and to teach morals and proper conduct. Therefore the two sources of knowledge in Islam are: 1-The Qur’an (God’s own words) 2-The Sunnah (tradition) of Prophet Muhammad Evidence for the authenticity of the Qur’an is in the Qur’an itself 1-Qur’anic verses complete & complement each other with no contradiction, despite being sent down interrupted over 23 years 2-The Qur’an answers questions in a clear and logical way 3-No one could ever produce such a Qur’an *Most people who attack the Qur’an have never studied the Qur’an Muhammad could not read or write, how could he write such a Qur’an? Muhammad was illiterate “You were not able to recite a book before this, nor were you able to write it with your hand; in that case the talkers of vanity would have doubted” Al-Ankabut (The Spider) 29: 48 As God’s messenger Muhammad’s orders must be obeyed “Whoever obeys the messenger obeys Allah” An-Nesa’a (Women) 4: 80 “O you who believe obey Allah, and obey his messenger and those charged with authority among you” An-Nesa’a (Women) 4: 59 “But no by your Lord they have no real faith until they make you judge in all disputes among them, and find no resistance in their souls regarding your decisions, and submit fully” An-Nesa’a (Women) 4: 65 “Whatever the messenger gives you take it, and whatever he forbids you avoid” Al-Hashr (The Gathering) 59: 7 Follow the example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in his character & behavior “You have indeed in the messenger of God a good example to follow for those who rest their hope on meeting God and the Last Day, and who remember God often” Al-Ahzab (The Confederates) 33: 21 Muhammad (PBUH) was sent to implement morals & noble character Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: (Indeed I have been sent to implement morals and the most noble of character) Narrated by Hakim & Baihaqi The mosque is the focal point of activity in the life of Muslims The mosque is where Muslims meet to pray, know each other and work together, and It is where problems are solved and questions answered, and where anyone with need or problem will find help Decisions are made in the mosque after adequate consultations The Qur’an states: “In houses that God has permitted to exist, in which the name of God is mentioned frequently by morning and evening. God is being glorified there by men whom neither traffic or gain distract them from remembering God, and establishing regular prayer and giving charity” An-Nur (The Light) 24: 37 Pact of coexistence & cooperation between Muslims & Jews in Madinah Rights are safeguarded and protected by the Muslim state: -The life, possessions and freedom of both Muslims & Jews are sacred -The right to practice their faith without fear or oppression -The right to freely express themselves -Each help the other in protecting and safeguarding their city against attacks Education of Muslims about Islam The Prophet (PBUH) taught a group of young Muslims to carry on his message, and to explain the guidelines of the Qur’an and his Sunnah (tradition), so that the message that he brought will not die with his death. He said: (The best among you is the person who learns the Qur’an, then teaches it to others) Narrated by Bokhari & Muslim The Prophet (PBUH) also said: (Whoever embarks on a road seeking knowledge God will guide him to heaven, and the angels lower their wings content for the person seeking knowledge; indeed everyone in heaven and earth seeks forgiveness for the scholar. The scholars are the heirs of the prophets) Narrated by Termedhi The Qur’an urges Muslims to learn and keep on learning: “And say: “My Lord increase me in knowledge” Ta Ha 20: 114 The sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) The sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Were authenticated regarding the person (s) who related that saying: -His honesty & integrity -His ability to memorize -Did he meet those he claimed to hear the saying from -Is there anything in this saying (Hadeeth) that contradicts the Qur’an or another saying of the Prophet? Hadeeth is then classified as authentic or weak or false Only authentic Hadeeth are accepted The sayings of Prophet Muhammad must be understood in historical context & in the context of the Qur’an Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: (I have been commanded to fight An-Nas till they bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that I am Allah’s messenger) Narrated by Muslim Extremists take this Hadeeth literally that the Prophet was ordered to fight all mankind till they submit to Islam. This is wrong understanding because An-Nas here only refers to the tribe of Quraish who were fierce enemy to Muslims at that time. The Qur’an orders Muslims to respect the right of non-Muslims to their faith, and not force anyone to become a Muslim against their will Misconceptions about Muhammad ? -He did not write the Qur’an: The Qur’an is a divine revelation -He was not a war monger: He fought to defend his state against aggression -He was married to one woman for 25 years when he was in the prime of his life. After he became head of state, and after his wife died he married other women for political and social reasons -He was kind, gentle, caring, truthful, forgiving, just and merciful -He was sincere and devoted to God and did not care about the material things in life The relationship between Muslims & non- Muslims according to the Qur’an 1-Be kind & just. 2-Talk to non-Muslims in a good way 3-Work with and cooperate in virtue and righteousness 4-Do not prejudge the fate of others 5-Do not force anyone to accept Islam against his will 6-Safeguard places of worship 7-Do not kill an innocent soul 8-Be good to your neighbor Treat non-Muslims with kindness & justice “God forbids you not regarding those who fight you not because of your faith, nor drive you out of your homes from treating them with kindness and justice, for God loves those who are just” Al-Mumtahina (Woman to be examined) 60: 8 “Tell my servants that they should say that which is best, for Satan incites enmity and hatred among them, for Satan to man is an avowed enemy” Al-Isra’a (Night Journey) 17: 53 “argue not with the people of the Book except in the best possible way; and say: “We believe in what was sent down to us, and what was sent down to you, our God and your God is one and to him we submit in Islam” Al-Ankabut (The Spider) 29: 46 Talk to each other in a good way Muhammad did not force others to Islam against their will He signed a peace treaty with the Jews of Madinah respecting their rights to their faith and ensuring their safety He allowed the Christian delegation from Najran to pray in his mosque according to their faith Do not prejudge the fate of others “Your job O Muhammad is to deliver the message, it is up to Us to hold them to account” Ar-Ra’d (The Thunder) 13: 40 Safeguard places of worship “If it was not for God checking one group of people against another places of worship, like monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques would have been destroyed” Al-Hajj (Pilgrimage) 22: 40 Islam is compatible with Western democracy and there is no clash of civilization Muslims obey the law of the land The principles of the American constitution, namely justice, accountability , freedom and the pursuit of happiness are Qur’anic principles revealed in the Qur’an more than 1400 years ago. Justice in the Qur’an “O you who believe stand up for God, as witnesses for justice; and let not the hatred of others towards you make you deviate from justice; be just, this is closer to piety, and be conscious of God, for God is well-aware of all that you do” Al-Ma’Ida (The Table) 5: 8 “O you who believe stand up for justice, as witnesses to God, even against yourselves, or parents or kin; if he was rich or poor God will take care of them both; Do not follow your lusts lest you swerve from justice; if you distort justice or refuse to do justice know that God is well aware of all that you do” An-Nesa’a (Women) 4: 135 We have freedom of choice and we are accountable Man was given a free choice: to believe or to reject faith, hence man is responsible and accountable for his choice. We are not forced to believe against our will Islamophobia how should Christians respond? There is a difference between Islam, a noble divine religion and the behavior of Muslim extremists. Islam safeguards the life, property and freedom of non-Muslims, whereas Muslim terrorists kill non-Muslims as well as Muslims who do not share their ideology In the same way there is a difference between Christianity, a noble divine religion and the behavior of some Christians who are bigots Do not blame the religion for the wrong behavior of few fanatics and criminals. Learn about true Islam & its teachings and support your Muslim neighbors and fellow human beings Do not associate Islam with terrorism. These terrorists kill more Muslims than non-Muslims. They claim to be Muslims but behave against the teachings of the Qur’an Islamophobia: How should Muslims react? The Qur’an states: “You will be tested and tried in your possessions and in yourselves, and you will hear a lot that will grieve you from those who were given divine revelation before you, and from the pagans. But if you patiently persevere, and guard against evil, that requires resolve & determination” Al-Imran (The Family of Imran) 3: 187 -Patient perseverance -Not doing wrong -Resolve & determination Lone wolf attacks can happen from deranged people who are brain washed As Muslims if we spot persons who have extremist ideas or behavior we do report them to the authorities The way to combat a twisted ideology is by exposing its fallacy and wrong teachings and contrasting it to the proper teachings of religion, whether this wrong ideology is Muslim, Christian or Jewish “For the scum disappears like froth cast out, while that which is for the good of mankind remains on the earth” Ar-Ra’d (Thunder) 13: 17 Christians should learn about other religions since America today is made up of diverse faiths We see many faith communities in America today: Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Atheists, Agnostics etc. We need to understand these different beliefs We also hear different languages and see people of different ethnic background and different cultures, and we need to embrace this diversity and learn from our differences, and not feel threatened. Our own faith is strengthened when we learn about the faith and beliefs of other people. We all share the same hopes and fears and have our humanity to unite us Diversity is willed by God “And among his signs is the creation of the heavens and earth, and the differences in your tongues and colors. Indeed in this are signs for those who know” Ar-Rum (The Romans) 30: 22 “If it was the will of your Lord he would have made mankind one nation, but they will continue to differ, except those on whom your Lord bestows his mercy, and for this did he create them” Hud (Prophet Hud) 11: 118 & 119 -We should learn from our differences -We should listen to different points of view -Our differences is willed by God, we should not fear it Shari’a law applies only to Muslims Shari’a does not apply to non-Muslims Shari’a is everything that we do in our daily life, not just punishment Prayer, fasting, charity, being good to our parents, family & neighbors, doing our job to the best of our ability, reaching out and helping those in need is Shari’a Be good to your wives and families Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: (The best among you is he who is best to his wife and family) Narrated by Ahmad Men and women have human dignity, are responsible and accountable No gender is better or superior to another except through piety “Indeed the most honored amongst you in the sight of God is the person who is most righteous (of service to others)” Al-Hujerat (The Apartments) m49: 12 In some Muslim countries women are not treated well because of tribal traditions Difficulties in understanding the Qur’an and the Sunnah Do we understand the Qur’an literally or as concepts? We need to understand certain Qur’anic verses in historical context The Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) must be understood in the context of the Qur’an and its teachings, and in historical context Our understanding of how to apply Qur’anic verses may change depending on the society that we live in and our new and current challenges and problems Differences in Sunni & Shi’e thinking and Fiqh (Jurisprudence)