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 Background:
Based on the teachings of
one man, Mohammed. He was
a merchant in the Arabian
city of Mecca, had Christian
in-laws and did business
with the Jewish community
outside Mecca. From these
contacts he built his teachings
upon a vague understanding
of Judaism and Christianity.
Sacred Book: The
Qur'an is a record of the
words of Mohammed as written
down by his followers. The
Koran is believed to have
existed in heaven for all
eternity before Mohammed
recited it. It is called
"The one great miracle."
The Nature of God:
The majesty and might of
Allah is often portrayed
in the Qur'an, and it is
emphasized that his purposes
are always serious. Justice
is Allah's most important
feature for Muslims. Allah
is also merciful and compassionate,
but mercy is shown mainly
in his sending messengers
who proclaim the truth of
man's responsibility to
live according to Allah's
dictates.
Human Condition:
Islam teaches that all people
are sinners (Qur'an 16,61).
Man is endowed with taqwa,
a sort of divine spark manifested
in his conscience that enables
him to perceive the truth
and to act on it. Conscience
is thus is of the greatest
value in Islam.
Eternity: Those
who do not conform their
lives to the demands of
Islam will surely be thrown
into hell, a place of extreme
physical pain (56,42-45;
94-95).
What is Salvation?
If a man is capable of achieving
salvation, he will find
in paradise an eternal life
of gratification of physical
desires: he will have one
or more virgins, will live
in comfort, and will have
all desires met.
How is a person saved?
Salvation can be attained
through observing the Five
Pillars of Islamic practice:
1) the belief that Allah
is the only god and Muhammad
is his messenger; 2) performing
the five daily prayers;
3) fasting throughout the
month of Ramadan; 4) giving
to the poor; 5) the pilgrimage
to Mecca at least once in
a lifetime. By performing
these works, the Muslim
hopes that at the judgment
day his good deeds will
exceed the bad ones, and
so he will reach the paradise
of material and sensual
delights (56,16-41). Yet,
despite all deeds, Allah
reserves the absolute right
to send the deceased to
wherever he pleases, paradise
or hell.
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