Islam

=**ISLA**M: Beliefs, Practices, and Current Issues=  Belief in Allah:  Belief in angels and demons (jinn)  Belief in the “holy books” and the eternal tablet in Heaven  Belief in the “prophets of God”  Belief in the “day of judgment”  Belief in the “decrees of Allah” (everything is the will of Allah)
 * Basic Beliefs of Islam**
 * Ultimately, he is unknowable
 * Allah makes no promises to mankind
 * Allah does not reveal himself to mankind
 * Allah can change truth into lies

 Jesus is an inspired prophet, but was never crucified; Allah lifted him to heaven  Muslims trace their roots back to Abraham through Ishmael, Hagar’s son  The Kabba is where Abraham and Ishmael made a well
 * Beliefs Related to the Bible**

 The Shahada: The basic creed: “There is no God but God, and Muhammad is his prophet.”  The Salat: Praying five times a day in the direction of Mecca  The Zakat: 2% Almsgiving  Sawm: Fasting (Ramadan: month-long fast)  The Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca
 * Basic Practices: The Five Pillars**

media type="youtube" key="jM81wroj_MQ" height="360" width="480"  Circle around the Kabba  March between the two mountains (7X): symbolizes Hagar’s time in the desert  The Plain of Arafat: One day in the desert for personal prayer  Small Town of Mina: Throwing 7 stones at a pillar (the stoning of Satan; the forgiveness of sins)  Last prayer service around the Kabba
 * The Specifics of the Hajj**


 * Jihad: Holy War**
 * “To exert, to struggle, or to go to war on behalf of Allah.”
 * The Greater Jihad: An inner struggle
 * The Lesser Jihad: Engaging in open warfare