ISLAM
Religious tradition founded in Arabia during the 6th century A.D. by the prophet
Mohammed and characterized by the acceptance of the doctrine of submission to God
and Mohammed as the chief and last prophet of God.
1.
View of Deity – Monotheistic
God, also called Allah, is the only true God or Supreme Being. Allah is the
creator of the universe and of human beings. God is all powerful, all-seeing, allhearing, all-speaking, and all-knowing. God does not have a body but is real.
God is eternal. God has revealed His eternal speech and words to human beings
in the both the Torah (Jewish scriptures) and the Qur’an (the holy book of
scripture as revealed to Mohammed). The Qur’an is the primary holy book of
Islam.
2.
View of Human Nature
Human beings are God’s creations. People have both a body and an immortal
soul. Some controversy exists in Islam over the question of free will. Some
believe God determines human actions, whereas others say that humans have
agency to choose, particularly those actions on which they are judged.
3.
Purpose of Life
Human beings must learn to submit to God’s will, obey His law, and do good.
They must give up worldly things and overcome their vices. Those who do so
will be rewarded in the hereafter (heaven).
4.
View of Spirituality
Obeying God’s law as revealed in the Qur’an and a giving up of worldly things
allows people to grow spiritually. The path of spiritual growth involves
overcoming vices such as arrogance, greed, and dishonesty. This leads to higher
levels of religious experience and union with God. Humans can communicate
with God through prayer, meditation, and repetition of set phrases or the name of
God.
5.
View of Morality
God has revealed His law in the Qur’an. Those who worship Allah and obey His
laws are good. There are five classes of moral actions: those that are obligatory,
recommended, prohibited, disapproved, and indifferent. Examples of prohibited
behaviors include drinking of alcohol and immodesty of dress. Fasting and
prayer, payment of alms, and devotion to the family are examples of morally
good behaviors.
6.
View of Life After Death
The soul of human beings does not cease to exist at mortal death. There will be a
judgment at the final hour of the world. The dead will be resurrected. The
wicked will be punished by God by being sent to hell and the good rewarded in
heaven.