Islam
About Islam
Muhammad (peace be upon him)* was born in about 570 of the Common Era in the city of Mecca – in what is now the modern country of Saudi Arabia. Muhammed (PBUH) is revered by Muslims as the last and greatest of God’s human prophetic messengers. *Peace be upon him, often abbreviated as “PBUH” in English is a honor that Muslims use when writing or saying the name of their Prophet.
The world Islam means to “surrender” or “submit” to the will of God, and is closely related to the word ‘salam’, which means peace. Thus, Muslims believe that submitting to the will of God is a way to attain inner peace. ‘Allah’ is the word for ‘God‘ in Arabic.
The fundamental belief in Islam is that there is only one God worthy of worship and that Muhammed (PHUH) is the last of a series of prophets sent to humans to show them how to live a rightoeus life.
Islam teaches that all Prophets sent by God came with the same message of monotheism and the belief in the Hearafter, or the life after death. Many Prophets were given holy scriptures and Muslims believe in the original form of those scriptures. The Holy Book that was sent to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the ‘Quran’.
For Muslims, the Holy Quran is the word of God revealed to the Prophet through Angel Gabriel, having been preserved in its original language and text till today. The Quran was revealed in Arabic and has been translated into many languages, including English and Spanish. Muslims all around the world learn to read Arabic so that they can read the Quran.
Islam is the world’s second-largest religion with 1.8 billion followers. Followers of Islam, known as Muslims, live in every country on the planet and represent a majority-religion in 49 different countries.
There are two major denominations of Islamic faith: Sunni & Shia, each with differing perspectives on who should have been the rightful successor to Muhammad at the time of his death. The overwhelming-majority of Muslims, about 85-90%, are Sunni. About 5-12% are Shia. Here, in the Detroit area, both Shia and Suni communities enhance our region’s diversity.
Islam is the name of a religion, as Christianity and Judaism are names of religions. The Arabic word “Islam” is based on the root “slm,” which means peace or surrender to God…
A follower of Islam is called a Muslim, or “one who is in a state of peace by following God’s guidance.”
While the term Arab has been used in the past to refer to members of a Semitic ethnic group from the Arabian Peninsula, today the word “Arab” refers to people from Arabic-speaking countries.
Source: ING.org
Explore Islam: Click These Tiles
What Do You Know?
What do you already know about Islam? Click to begin your Journey!
Journeys Passport Book-Introduction to Islam
Want facts? Start here. Our RDJ textbook Is a great introduction to Islam.
Got Stereotypes? Stop Here First!
The first mosque in America was completed in February 1934. For decades before, and for generations since, American Muslims have contributed to the religious and cultural fabric of communities across the nation.
Welcome to the Muslim Unity Center
Maria has questions and her friends at the Muslim Unity Center, in Bloomfield Hills, happily share answers as she visits a masjid (mosque) for the first time. Join her!
Sharia! Hijab?
Sharia! Hijab? These words might sound familiar, but don't judge before taking the opportunity to break down misperceptions first!
SEMI Means Home
In partnership with Detroit Experience Factory, learn about the some of the diverse Muslim communities that call South East Michigan (SEMI) home.
Islamic Center of America: This is my Masjid.
Sheikh Ahmad Hammoud, Adnan Chrri and Hmeed Dakroub welcome RDJ to their home!
Muslim and Arab: Not The Same
The Majority of Muslims are Not Arab. Not all Arabs are Muslim. If you have ever wondered about the difference click here
Hijab in Depth: A “Deeper Dive” On Modest Clothing Worn by Many Muslims
Want to know more about hijab and the way many Muslim women dress? Just ask!
Kids Talk about Ramadan
Got more questions? These kids are 100% experts. No PhD needed!
Library of Secrets and The Golden Age
Like coffee? Even if you answer "no, not so much" click to discover some of the amazing things (including coffee) invented by Muslim innovators.
#HajjHappeningHere
Every Muslim is required to make Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca) at least once in their lifetime, if able.
Jeopardy Meets the Golden Age of Islam
The platform is virtual, but the competition is real for these Walled Lake & Bloomfield Hills 7th graders.
Culinary Traditions of the Muslim World
Muslim culinary traditions are steeped in ethnicity and geography. With the Muslim-world stretching from East Asia to the Americas "Muslim food" always represents the reich traditions of where Muslims live
Sweet Treats for Ramadan
Many Muslims end their Ramadan fast each evening with a sip of water and a sweet date. Delicious on their own, dates are a fantastic food to "dress up" for celebratory meals like a Ramadan Iftar!
Art and the Islamic World
Images, architecture and music from the Muslim world have enriched generations of religious and secular art.
Final Journey Stop
Would you like to win an Amazon gift card? Of course you would! Complete this End of Journey Activity and RDJ will enter your name in a monthly contest!
