Islam

Every Tuesday we get a speaker to come and talk to the college students.  A couple Tuesdays ago we had a speaker who talked about Islam because a lot of Muslims live in Nottingham.  It was very interesting so I thought I would share it with you.

One billion people from a vast range of races, nationalities and cultures across the globe - from the southern Philippines to Nigeria - are united by their common Islamic faith.  In the UK, home to 2 million Muslims, the Muslim culture has become a familiar part of everyday life in many of their great cities.  In Nottingham there is a thriving Muslim community with its mosques, schools, shops and social and welfare organizations.

A Muslim is a follower of a religion called Islam.  They believe in one unique and incomparable God; in the angels created by him; in the prophets sent by him; in the day of judgment (after death); in God's complete authority over human destiny and in life after death.  Muslims believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the baptist, and Jesus.  But God's final message was revealed to a prophet Muhammad through Gabriel.

For Muslims, Islam isn't just a religion, but also a way of life.  Islam teaches moral values such as justice, honesty, kindness, patients, and respect for others.  The Quran, the sacred writings of Islam, says: "act justly.  Truly God loves those who are just." (9:9)  and: "and let not the hatred of others make you avoid justice.  Be just: that is nearer to piety..." (5:8) and: "And likewise we have made you a middle nation (i.e. not extremists) in order that you are witnesses (for the good) over mankind" (2:143)

Muslims put a high value on family life, as illustrated by:  "And be good to your parents and to relations, orphans and the needy and speak highly to mankind: and establish worship and pay the poor-due." (2:83), and:  "If one or both of your parents attain old age and then do not say to them even fie!  Nor repulse them, rather say to them a noble word." (17:23)  The prophet Muhammad said in his farewell sermon, "The best among you are those wh are best to their wives."

Islam teaches that all faiths come from the same divine source - God.  Muslims therefore believe in Jesus, Moses, David, Abraham and many other Biblical prophets.  Jesus in particular has a special place in Islam.  Muslims respect Christians and Jews as 'people of the book'.  Since Islam teaches freedom of religion, every person is entitled to choose his religion.

A commonly asked question of non-Muslims is "Why do women have scarves to cover their heads?"  Other than the fact that Allah commands it, reasons include the requirements for modesty in both men and women.  Both will then be evaluated for intelligence and skill instead of looks.