EMA EMITS COLLEGE PHILIPPINES

(Formerly: Eastern Mindoro Institute of Technology & Sciences)

Del Pilar St.; Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro
Telefax No. (043) 284-3974

World Religions and Belief Systems

ISLAM
Quarter 1 - Module 6:
How to use this module?
Before starting this module, I want you to setTelefax
aside other task/s 284-3974
No. (043) that may disturb by while enjoying the
lessons. Read the simple instructions below to successfully enjoy the objectives of this kit. Have fun!

1. Follow carefully all the contents and instructions indicated in every page of this module.
2. Write on your notebook the concept about the lessons.
3. Perform all the provided activities in the module.
4. Analyse conceptually the post test and apply what you have learned.
5. Enjoy studying!
LET`S BEGIN
The scope of this module covers different learning situations where the students could relate different
beliefs all around the world and his personal thoughts and belief and its significance on his/her everyday life. Are
you ready for your learning journey? Be ready and accomplish the task ahead.

LET`S SET OUR GOAL

Target
In this module, you should be able to:
 discuss the life and times of Prophet Muhammad
 explain the core teaching of Islam
 discuss the Muslim beliefs and practices
 describe the contributions of Islam in modern society

Please be faithful on the above goals and objective. These will serve as your guide on what to learn on this
module. BE HONEST! You need to strive hard in order to reap your rewards. Hardship won’t betray you!

WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

PRE-TEST. Read and answer each statement carefully then write the letter of the best answer on a separate sheet of
paper. Please answer honestly. Use your mind and not your data connection!
1. What does the world Islam means?
a. Crucifixion c. submission to God
b. Subjection d. prohibition
2. Who, according to Islam is the last prophet sent by God?
a. Isaiah c. Jesus Christ
b. Muhammad d. Abraham
3. If Jews and Christian has a Bible, what book does Islamic religion has?
a. Avesta c. tripitaka
b. Vedas d. Koran
4. What do you call the follower of the Islamic faith?
a. Buddhist c. Muslim
b. Philosopher d. Christian
5. The Angel, who according to the Muslims revealed the Koran to Muhammad.
a. Miguel c. Rafael
b. Gabriel d. Uriel
So! How was it? It’s easy right? Well, ready yourself because the journey is just starting. It will get more
interesting and more challenging. Keep your patience and your smile because this is going to be interesting.
INHALE. EXHALE. Good luck.

LESSON 1
Established around seventh century C.E., Islam is the youngest among the world’s major religions. With more
than 1.5 billion adherents comprising almost one-fourth of the entire world population, Islam is the second
largest group and one of the fasting growing religions in the world. Majority of Muslims, the followers of Islam,
live in Asia and Africa. There are 49 countries in the world that are Muslim-majority or comprise 50% of the
population, the 1.2 billion Muslims in these countries equivalent to 74% of the entire Muslim population
worldwide. More than 60% of the world’s Muslims can be found in Asia, including Indonesia, Pakistan, India,
Bangladesh, Turkey, and Iran. Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim- majority country with almost 87%
of the population practicing the Islam religion. In Afri ca , si zeabl e Musl im com muniti es are found i n
Egypt and Nigeria.

Hey look! There’s an activity below. I know you can do it! I believe in you because you are smart and
strong.

LET`S DO THIS
MOTIVATIONAL ACTIVITY

Did you know that there are numerous celebrities in Hollywood that are practicing the Islamic
Faith? Can you identify some of these popular stars?

1. KIEM STOYN 4. HAMEJIM HAKN

2. VEAD PACHLEL 5. ETHAJN SAKCNOJ

3. ILELQASH O`LNEA

ISLAM

 The Life of Muhammad

Around the year 570 C.E., Muhammad ibn Abdullah was born in the oasis town of Mecca just off the western
coast of the Arabian Peninsula (Karabell 2007). Muhammad’s father died before he was born while his mother
died before he was six years old. He belonged to the clan of Hashim of the Quraysh tribe that controlled the
Kaaba and the camel trade that passed through Mecca. Following the tradition, he was sent to be reared among
the Bedouins. When his mother died, Muhammad was raised by his grandfather Abd al-Muttalib (Renard
1992).

Later on, Muhammad was taken into custody by his paternal uncle, Abu Talib, who was chief of the
Quraysh tribe. Life must have been very difficult for the young Muhammad. With no formal schooling, Muhammad
worked as a caravan worker travelling across the Arabian Peninsula as a camel driver. From his travels in the
Arabian Peninsula to the different Byzantine cities, he may have met and conversed with Christians, Jews, and
Zoroastrians alike. Muhammad soon learned the various ways and means of their belief system that may have led
him to question the faith of his own people, especially with regard their animistic practices and reverence given to
numerous gods and idols (Hopfe 1983). He used to retreat to Mount Hira near Mecca in search of truth about
God.

Muhammad later married an older wealthy widow named Khadija, fifteen years his senior. Muhammad was
twenty-five years old when he married Khadija who was about forty years old at the time. Khadija managed her own
caravan and Muhammad was working for her. He was married only to Khadija as long as she lived even though it
was acceptable for men to have multiple wives then. Khadija became his staunch supporter and one of his first
converts to the new religion he founded.

Around the year 610 C.E., Muhammad began hearing the voice of God in a cave on the summit of
Mount Hira, just outside Mecca in the Arabian Hijaz. God was speaking to Muhammad in the Arabic language
(Armstrong 2000; Karabell 2007). Mostly auditory but occasionally in visual form, he began to experience
divine revelations delivered by the angel Gabriel (Renard 1992). Muhammad first disclosed these revelations
only to his wife since revealing these messages to his tribe could disturb the social order that was primarily
anchored on clan and kinship. He was preaching a new order built upon God’s will and human submission to
this belief.

The term “Islam” originated from an Arabic word meaning “submit.” In other words, Islam means to
“surrender or submit oneself for obedience to God” or to “enter into a condition of peace and security with God
through allegiance and surrender to him” (Armstrong 2000; Bowker 1997). On the other hand, the word “Muslim” is
the Arabic word for a person who submits. A Muslim, therefore, is a “person who surrenders or submits himself to
obey God” (Brown 1975). In Arabic, the word “Allah” is a compound of al (the definite article, the) and ilah (god or
deity). Joined together, the words signify “god” (Renard 1993). Henceforth, he is called Allah or “the one who is
God.” Muhammad was preaching that there can only be one God.

SACRED SCRIPTURES
 The Q'uran
The sacred writing of the Muslims is called Quran (or Koran in English) that literally means “recitation” or
“reading.” The Quran is the revelation from God of his speech (kalam) and is the foundation of the Islam religion
(Bowker 1997). It is the supreme authority in all matters of faith, theology, and law (Parrinder 1971).

In 610 C.E., when Muhammad received the first revelations, he was commanded by angel Gabriel to “iqra” or
“recite.” All Muslims believe that the Quran is a copy of the eternal scripture written in heaven but made
known to Muhammad chapter by chapter (Hopfe 1983). As such, the Quran is the word of God that is binding,
continuous, and supreme. The same message became known to earlier prophets like Moses and Jesus but
people gradually altered the revelation entrusted to them by God (Bowker 1997). Any translation of the Quran,
either in English or in any other language, is neither a Quran nor a version of the Quran; rather, it is only a
translation of the meaning of the Quran (Ibrahim 1997). The Quran in Arabic, the only language in which it
was revealed, is considered the perfect word of God.

In comparison, the Quran has almost the same length as the New Testa- ment, the Christian biblical canon
(Parrinder 1971). The chapters that compose the Quran are called surahs while the verses are called ayahs which
mean “evidence” or “sign.” There are 114 chapters in the Quran, 86 of which are classified as Meccan while 28 are
Medinian.

BELIEFS/DOCTRINES
Islam began as a way of life (din) for its followers which God intended for his creation from the very beginning
(Bowker 1997). In time, God had to send several prophets, including Musa (Moses) and ‘Isa (Jesus), to summon
people back to the din as a result of human rebellion and transgression. Ultimately, a l l prophets were rejected,
persecuted, or killed except for Muhammad.

For all Muslims, there is only one compassionate, everlasting, and omnipotent God, being the lord of
everything in existence, including humans. Around eight thousand years ago, God created the universe and may
terminate it when he wills it so. A “Day of Judgment” shall ensue wherein all humankind will be resurrected and
individually accounted for. Everyone will be fully awakened and raised to a higher spiritual life (Aziz 1193). Based
on their own deeds and fully aware of the effects of these deeds in this life, everyone will then be sent to either
paradise or hell for perpetuity (Aziz 1993; Horrie & Chippindale 2003). All these knowledge had been revealed by
God to Muhammad and written down in the Quran.

 Five Pillars of Islam

The basic obligations of Muslims are called the Five Pillars of Islam or arkan al-din. While differences may occur in
the interpretation of Islamic law, all Muslims believe and accept the entirety of these obligations that must be strictly
observed to avoid being sent to hell on the “Day of Judgment.” The Five Pillars give structure and unity to all
believers of Islam.

1. The Creed (Shahada)

The basic creed of Islam that “there is no God but Allah; Muhammad is the messenger of Allah” is known as
shahada. In Arabic, the shahada is recited as “La ilaha illa Allah; Muhammadon rasul Allah.” These are the
very first words uttered into an infant’s ear and perhaps the last words given to a dying Muslim. The shahada
asserts that Allah is the only divinity and that he has relayed his will through Muhammad (Bowker 1997).

2. Obligatory Prayer (Salat)

Just as the body requires food for its daily sustenance, prayers are done for spiritual development so that a Muslim’s
character and conduct remain sound and healthy (Aziz 1993). Facing in the direction of Mecca or qiblah, Muslims
must offer prayers or salat five times each and every day—before sunrise (as-subh), noon (az-zuhr), mid-afternoon
(al-asr), immediately after sunset (al-maghreb), and before midnight (al-isha) (Horrie & Chippindale 2003). In a
mosque or masjid (“place of prostration”) where Muslims offer prayers in congregation, men and women pray
separately. A structure of masjid can range from a simple desert prayer ground (musalla) or just any space whereby
rules of ritual purity are properly observed.

3. Poor Tax (Zakat)

Muslims who live above the subsistence level must pay zakat or the poor tax to aid the underprivileged Muslims.
Affluent Muslims must share their wealth to the unfortunate ones. Originally, almsgiving was for the benefit of the
poor, widows, and orphans through an act of charity.

Zakat is not charity but an annual wealth tax that serves as just and lawful claim of the poor against the
affluent ones. The zakat is payable the moment a Muslim has accumulated sufficient resources starting with a basic
rate which is fortieth (2.5 percent) of a person’s entire asset, including savings, jewels, and land (Horrie &
Chippindale 2003). A kind of tithe intended to support the needy, zakat has been a contributory factor of solidarity
and unity for the Muslim people (Jomier 1999). It is a religious duty done out of obedience to Allah and compassion
to poor Muslims. The spirit of self-sacrifice is developed by paying zakat that somehow curtails the feeling of greed
(Aziz 1993). The Quran states that all worldly wealth is unclean unless utilized in the service of Allah and Islam.

4. Fasting (Sawm)

Fasting or sawm during the entire 30 days of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, must be
performed by all Muslims every year. The Ramadan is believed to be the month when Muhammad received the first
surah of the Quran. The sawm is done by all Muslims to express obedience to Allah and the readiness to
relinquish pleasures in their lives. By under- taking sawm, Muslims observe discipline and experience the
deprivations of the poor (Bowker 1997). During this time, a Muslim must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking,
and engaging in any sexual intimacy from dusk until dawn. By resisting the demands of the body during sawm, the
Muslims strengthen their will. Muslims are reminded that they have the capacity to ignore the longing of the body
or material gratification

5. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)

All Muslims must attempt to undertake a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca or hajj (“visitation of Holy
Places”) at least once in their lifetime during the twelfth Islamic month. The “Grand Mosque” (Al-Masjid al-
Haram) in Mecca houses the most sacred site of Islam, the Kaaba (“House of Allah”). The Kaaba is a cube-
shaped ancient stone building that dates back to the time of Adam and Eve according to Muslim tradition.
Muslims believe that the Kaaba was originally built for the worship of God by Abraham and his son Ishmael
(Belt 2001). The Kaaba represents the end of a journey because it is the symbolic point of origin of all creation
wherein all things turn around it and from it all things radiate.

WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES

Islamic calendar is composed of 12 lunar months of between 29 and 30 days. A year in the Islamic calendar
constitutes a total of 354 days. The difference between the solar and lunar calendar is adjusted by adding one day to
the last month of the year 11 times each 30 years. Nonetheless, 103 Islamic years are the equivalent of 100 solar
years despite the periodic modifications done on the calendar (Hopfe 1983). Table 6.1 lists some of the most
important festivals celebrated by Muslims worldwide.

MONTH FESTIVITIES/SIGNIFICANCE
Month 1: Muharram (“The Sacred Month”)  The Islamic year starts in the day of the hijra,
Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Medina in
622 C.E.
 Ashura:The assassination of the Imam Husayn
at Karbala’ in 680 C.E. is commemorated on the
10th by Shi’ite Muslims
Month 3: Rabi al-Awai (“The Spring”)  Birth of the Prophet: Muhammad’s birthday is
celebrated on the 12th.
Month 9: Ramadan (“The Month of Great Heat”)  Muslims do not eat or drink during daylight
hours throughout the month.
 Laylat al-Qadr:The commemoration of the first
revelation to the prophet is often celebrated on
the 27th.
Month 10: Shawwal (“The Month of Hunting”)  ‘Id al-Fitr:The Festival of Breaking the Fast at
the beginning of Shawwal concludes the fasting
season.
Month 12: Dhu al-Hijja (“The Month of Hajj”)  Month of pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca.
 Yawn Arafat: On the 9th, fasting pilgrims
perform the wuquf, standing before God on
Mount Arafat.
 ‘Id al-Adha:The Festival of Sacrifice on the 10th
recalls the sacrificial ram God gave to Abraham
in place of his son, and coincides with the end
of Hajj.

 Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar wherein Muslims are expected to observe sawm.
Muslims may not eat, drink, or have sex during daylight hours. The last 10 days of the month may be spent
by continuous prayers of the most devoted Muslims. Finally, the sawm ends with ‘Id al-Fitr or the Festival
of Breaking the Fast marked by popular rejoicing and festal prayer (Jomier 1999).
 Dhu al-Hijja is the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar wherein able- bodied Muslims perform the
hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca. Poor Muslims sometimes use their entire savings just to fulfill this obligation.
The sick and the elderly may begin their pilgrimage without the certainty of accomplishing this sacred duty.
Upon entering the Grand Mosque, the hajji performs the tawaf which involves circling the Kaaba seven
times in a counter-clockwise direction. Most pilgrims attempt to touch or kiss the sacred Black Stone.
However, the sheer number of pilgrims inside the mosque prevents them from touching the relic.
 ‘Id al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice is the most important festival in the Muslim calendar marking the
end of the pilgrimage season. On the tenth day of the hajj, Muslims are required to slaughter a live animal
(a sheep or goat) to commemorate Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael and his obedience to
God. In the process, a ram was substituted in place of Ishmael, thus, allowing him and his offspring to live,
including his descendant Muhammad (Horrie & Chippindale 2003). After their arduous journey in Mecca,
pilgrims may now visit other holy cities, such as Medina or Jerusalem. Returning home, the title hajj can
now be affixed to their names to indicate completion of this religious responsibility (Hopfe 1983). Friday
is the special day of worship for the Muslims as commanded by Muhammad? In mosques, Muslims are
required to pray with his fellows and prayers are led by an imam. An imam is a member of the community
selected to lead the congregation due to the devoutness and religiosity he manifests to the people (Hopfe
1983).
ISLAMIC LAW
The concept of law and justice in Islam, or the shari’a (“the road to the watering place”), is based upon the Quranic
verses as revealed by God to Muhammad. The universal laws passed down by God govern both the affairs of human
and laws of nature (Horrie & Chippindale 2003). Apart from the Quran, the teachings of Muhammad or the hadiths
form the basis of Islamic legal system.

The shari’a is a path of conduct that must be followed by all Muslims. It concerns almost the totality of a
Muslim’s life – from home life, business interests, marital relations, inheritance, and various duties to the state and
community (Brown 1975).

Islamic Jurisprudence
Islamic jurisprudence or the science of Islamic law is called fiqh. All aspects of Muslim way of life and
actions are covered through fiqh. Human behavior may be classified into five categories: forbidden (haram),
discouraged (makruh), neutral (mubah), recommended (mandub), and obligatory (fard). Forbidden actions are both
sinful and criminal under pain of punishment. Accordingly, it is forbidden for all Muslims to eat animals that have
died from natural causes or those animals that were not ritually slaughtered. Pork is considered as the most unclean
of all meats and must not be eaten no matter how the pig meat was produced. Other haram behaviors include
drinking blood, eating dried blood, and taking liquors.

The Five Pillars is an example of an obligatory category. These practices, such as almsgiving, daily
prayers, and ritual fasting, are compulsory to all Muslims. Failure to observe these obligations is sinful and
punishable as crime.The three other categories (makruh, mandub, and mubah) concern chiefly on things, such as
etiquette, donations, personal habits, and social life (Horrie & Chippindale 2003). Reprehended actions but not
subject to punishments belongs to makruh. Meritorious or recommended deeds fall under mandub. Permitted
behaviors that are neither good nor bad but neutral are classified as mubah. The hadith collections can be
consulted to resolve these matters.

SUBDIVISIONS
Similar to most major religions, Islam also has sects, which vary primarily as to how these sects interpret some
aspects of the Islamic faith and of the Quran. Inasmuch as Muslims agree on the fundamental tenets of the
Islam religion, variations do occur in many of their beliefs and practices (Hopfe 1983).

Sunni Muslims (The Sunnis)

Majority of Muslims, around 87% to 90% of the entirety of Islam believers, belong to the Sunni denomination. The
Sunnis (“Followers of the Smooth Path”) are traditionalists and are considered the orthodox of Islam as they
endeavor to follow the original religion established by Muhammad and guided.

The Sunnis believe that any Muslim can be a ruler and he does not need to prove his lineage to
Muhammad as long as he gets the approval and confi- dence of the ummah or community. He can be an elected ruler
or a hereditary monarch that should enjoy the support of the ummah. All Sunnis shall abide by his actions
unquestioningly regardless of whether he is a fair or cruel ruler (Horrie & Chippindale 2003). Within the Sunni sect
of Islam are groups of Muslims that also differ in views and exercise of their faith. Religious factions are
often the result of national or social differences (Brown1975). Every Muslim country has a Sunni majority except
Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Yemen, and some of the Gulf States (Horrie & Chippindale 2003).

Shi’a (The Shi’ites)

The Shi’ite Muslims are the largest faction within the Islam religion that separated from the rest of the community
(Brown 1975). Historically speaking, three close associates of Muhammad became successive leaders or caliphs of
Islam with the death of the founder in 632 C.E. The caliphate acted as a central unifying agency in Islamic history.
Initially, caliphs were friends of Muhammad that acted as virtuous leaders of the believers. They may be chosen by
election or general consent. Later on, the position became heredi- tary resembling that of a king (Hopfe 1983).
Some Muslims believed that Muhammad should have been immediately succeeded by his direct relative, Ali
ibn Abi Talib, who was his cousin. Ali was also Muhammad’s son-in-law who married his daughter Fatima. In
656 C.E., Ali became the fourth caliph but steadily lost control of the Muslim world that culminated in the
takeover of the caliphate by the Umayyad Dynasty at the time of Ali’s assassination in a mosque at Kufa and
his eventual death in 661 C.E. (Hopfe 1983; Nakash 1994).
Sufi
Muslims whose concern mainly dwells for a mystical union with God are collectively called Sufis. Their name
originate from the word suf that means “woolen” since they wore coarse wool garments or robes to symbolize
poverty and denunciation of worldly pleasures (Hopfe 1983). A Sufi can be a Sunni or Shi’ite Muslim. The Sufi
movement may have started around the ninth century C.E. at the time when there came a clarion call to live a
simpler and austere life far from the splendor and grandeur that characterized the Abbasid Dynasty.

LET`S EXPLORE
Answer the following questions in a separate sheet of paper. Use your own choice of words and not just copy what’s
given in the discussion above. Be unique! You’re not born to be someone’s photocopy! Flourish and express your
unique ideas without getting out of context. Answer on a separate paper.

1. In what way is Islam similar to Christianity?

2. How do the Five Pillars of Islam give a sense of unity and structure to the religion as followed by all
Muslims worldwide?
3. How do you think global terrorism affected Islam as a religion in the eyes of the world? What negative
effects did it have on innocent Muslims in their everyday lives?

KEEP IN MIND
NEVER FORGET
The history of Islam is closely bound with the life story of Muhammad who is recognized by the Muslims
as the last of the prophets. The sacred writing of the Muslims is called Quran (or Koran in English) that literally
means “recitation” or “reading.” The basic obligations of Muslims are called the Five Pillars of Islam or arkan al-
din and all Muslims believe and accept the entirety of these obligations. The Five Pillars give structure and unity to
all believers of the Islamic religion. The major denominations of Islam include Sunni, Shi’a, and Sufi.

Now that you have been learning and crunching your way towards here, let us see if you can apply these
concepts in a real life situation.

APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

Direction: Answer the following questions

1. Can you do the Muslim`s Zakat or voluntary giving to the poor, especially in this time of pandemic? How?
2. Can you pray five times a day like the Muslim do? How?
3. How can you show respect to our Muslim brothers in the Philippines?

REFLECTION
Congratulations on almost finishing the module! You have just had an amazing learning journey
and for sure, you will also do the same in the succeeding modules. Great job!

Share your final insights by completing the following sentences. Do this in a separate paper.

1. I have learned
that___________________________________________________________________.
2. Studying this lesson or topic is important
because__________________________________________.
3. I have a question about something that needs more explain this question
is______________________?
 QUIZ TIME
POST-TEST. Do this on a separate sheet of long bond paper.

a. Make a poster to spread awareness on Islam. You will be graded using the rubric below.

RUBRIC FOR POSTER-MAKING

CRITERIA DESCRIPTION POINTS POINTS OBTAINED

Organization The concept was clearly and creatively conveyed. 10

Content The illustrations were appropriate to the theme. 5

Visual The idea was clearly presented based on the 5

Presentation pictures and words used.

Total: 20

REFERRENCES
Ong, J.a & Jose, M.D. introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems. Vival Group Inc. pp 84 (2016

YOU DID GREAT!