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Asalam~O~Alykum
Islam
The religion of more than 500,000,000 people mainly based in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania, Mali, Chad, Egypt, Sudan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Many other countries have large Muslim communities also, making a widespread belief in Islam.
Their chosen representative on earth is Mohammed, their Prophet. They do not worship him personally, as Mohammed is their messenger to God, or Allah. The faith recognises Judaism and Christianity, but in the context of the insistence that Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, preached and taught the Islamic faith. It is claimed the Islamic version that prevailed then and taught was changed into Christian and Judean versions. Only Mohammed's teaching being the true faith is the Islamic view.
It is a religion of reward and punishment; the day of reckoning (the Assessment) has to be answered with reward for the faithful, and Hell for the wicked. Islamic laws, the book of rules, are incorporated in the Koran.
This book, it is said, was revealed to Mohammed by Allah, in Arabic, and is clear, unmistakable, and decisive. It is the youngest of the world's religions in its present form, since Mohammed lived from about 570 AD - 632 AD. Although Arabic, the beliefs are open to anyone who wishes to practice them. The Brotherhood of Islam has no prejudice of colour, race, language, and status in life, just the close following of the Koran with its scriptures of worship, theology, and ethics.
As with other religions, sectarianism followed in the evolution of Islam due to individual interpretations. The largest group, the Sunnites, follows Mohammed implicitly. Shiites, the other main group, believe that Mohammed's son-in-law is the true spiritual leader; many sects were formed in this belief. A third, smaller group, the Sufis, whilst Muslims, show Christian and Buddhist influence. Ibadites are Sunnites, but reserve certain differences in interpretation.
Islam, the devout religion of the Middle East, the ‘youngest’ religion, and without prejudices the Middle Eastern interpretation of the then predominant religions of Christianity and Judaism. Similar to the effect of Hinduism for India, Islam was tuned and interpreted to suit the needs of that part of the world, together with parts of Asia. Subsequently the Islamic Empire of the 16th Century and the Ottoman Empire of Turkey threatened to engulf these two religions. Power is a strange bedfellow. The followers of Mohammed built an Empire as big as the Roman Empire was at the time of Jesus. The Koran is the supreme document of the Muslims. Precise, simple affirmations are given to believers, five in total: -
1. 'Allah is great, (greater than anyone)'.
2. 'The day of reckoning will be a terrible consummation'.
3. Mohammed is 'the last and seal of the Prophets'.
4. God revealed the Koran to Mohammed.
5. 'Reverence to Allah, his Prophet, Book, and the Day of Judgement'.
To the Western world, the Koran sets a tough set of rules. The pattern of behaviour, the constant five times a day prayer to Mecca, the severe punishments to the transgressors of its laws, etc. create a void between common ground for understanding.
Mention was made of the changes in Christianity. The rigidity of the basic framework of Islamic Law does not allow for changes under any circumstances. The changing social order throughout the world, which must create pressure, is ignored. There is no compromise at all.
Rigid codes that do not allow for any ambiguity in interpretation, together with abstinence from many temptations can only produce admiration and success. Such codes of discipline, when adhered to, must produce souls that are acceptable by the Assessment and laid to rest. Many differences span the interpretation on earth of religions looking at other religions, but that does not concern the requirements of the afterlife. Standards on earth vary, but not in the spiritual world. Now a set of rules is fixed and inflexible!
Like Judaism and Christianity, the Islamic faith does not subscribe to reincarnation. The pure soul is laid to rest to Eternity. The frequency link is there and the digital record of behaviour is set. Whether it is necessary to punish transgressors before assessment is a personal view, and not part of a critical theology in this context.
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