Islam

Those who follow Islam are called Muslims. The word Islam means 'submission to the will of God' .Muslims believe that there is only one God.

The Arabic word for God is Allah. The simplest form of Muslim beliefs is summarised in the Declaration of Faith: "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad (pbum) is the messenger of Allah".

Muslims believe that Islam has always existed, but for practical purposes, date their religion from the time of the migration of Muhammad (pbum). On this basis Islam began over 1400 years ago in Mecca, in Arabia and was revealed to humanity by the Prophet Muhammad (pbum)

According to Muslims, God sent a number of prophets to mankind to teach them how to live according to His law. Abraham (Ibrahim) is seen as the father of the Arab people as well as the Jewish people. Moses (Musa) is an important prophet in the Muslim faith as well as in Judaism and Christianity. Jesus is also respected as a prophet. Islam has a literary tradition spanning a millennium and a half of a continuous historical relationship with the figure of Jesus Christ.

Muslims believe that the final and complete revelation of their faith was made through the Prophet Muhammad (pbum) (peace be upon him). Born in Mecca in the 7th century CE, Muhammad (pbum) (570-632) was a devout and spiritual man.

The Qur'an is the holy book for Muslims, revealed in stages to the Prophet Muhammad (pbum) over 23 years in Arabic. Qur'anic revelations are regarded by Muslims as the sacred word of God, intended to correct any errors in previous holy books such as the Old and New Testaments. There are 114 chapters in the Qur'an. All the chapters except one begin with the sentence, 'In the name of Allah the most merciful and the most kind'. This is the thought with which Muslims should start every action. In addition to the Qur'an, the other sacred sources are the Sunnah, the practise and examples of the Prophet Muhammad's (pbum) life, and the Hadith, reports of what the prophet Muhammad (pbum) said or approved.

All aspects of a Muslim's life are governed by Sharia law which comes from a combination of sources including the Qur'an, the sayings of the prophet and the rulings of Islamic scholars. The five Pillars of Islam are often well known by non-Muslims. These pillars are the declaration of faith, praying five times a day, giving money to charity, fasting and a once in a lifetime pilgrimage to Mecca. But The 5 Pillars are only one of the '5 main spheres' of Islam regulating civil society and it's relationship with Allah and the after life:
1, Tawheed (belief, creed etc): deals with all aspects of belief, concept of oneness of God and Monotheism.
2. Worship: rules and injunctions of how to perform and implement the 5 Pillars.
3. Social Policy: matters dealing with Community Cohesion, Race Relations, Rights and Obligations of Citizens, Civic Duties etc.
4. Socio-Economic: matters dealing with Business and Commerce, Politics and Governance, Law and the Judiciary.
5. Personal Characteristics: rules pertaining to ones conduct with parents, neighbours, kith and kin and the community.

There are only two Muslim festivals set down in Islamic law. Ramadan is a holy month in which Muslims practise fasting (sawm). Id-ul-Fitr comes at the end of Ramadan. Muslims thank Allah for the strength he gave them to help them practice self-control. Id-ul-Adha marks the end of Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, and is celebrated by all Muslims, not just those who make the pilgrimage. There are several other special days that Muslims celebrate, although some Muslims disapprove of adding extra festivals. According to tradition and culture Al-Hijra is the Muslim New Year. It marks the Hijra, Muhammad (pbum)'s journey in 622 CE to Medina.

There are several different groups of Muslims, but all of them, in every country and community, regard their faith as a bond between them, and as a major part of their identity. The division between Sunnis and Shi'as is the largest and oldest in the history of Islam. They both agree on the fundamentals of Islam and share the same Holy Book (The Qur'an), but there are differences mostly derived from their different historical experiences, political and social developments, as well as ethnic composition.

Islam is the second largest religion in the world with over 1 billion followers. The 2001 census recorded 1,591,000 Muslims in the UK, around 2.7% of the population. The first large group of Muslims in Britain arrived about 300 years ago. Today Britain's Muslims are mostly people who immigrated to Britain in the 1950s-70s, or their descendants; or more recent arrivals from Africa.

For more detailed information on Islam go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/

For local contacts see The Directory of Northamptonshire Faith Groups

"Islam encourages Dialogue"
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Spring Educational Society Iftar Dinner: Turner Suite - The County Cricket Ground, Abington Avenue, Northampton, NN1 4PR. 7.30 pm.

Dr Ian G. Williams
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Bismillah Hir Rahman, Nir Rahmin

In the Name of God, the Ever Merciful, the Ever Compassionate

Mr Mayor, Lady Mayoress, Councillors, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Salaam Alayikum

Thank you for the privilege of sharing in this Ramadan Iftar - Fast Breaking Meal - this evening. I am delighted to attend having just returned from Istanbul where I shared in similar meals which mark each evening of this month during the Muslim Calendar…………….I have been asked to open with notes on how Islam, genuine Muslim Faith encourages dialogue between Peoples of Faith and indeed with those who do not profess belief in a Transcendent God.

The word "dialogue" derives from two Greek words: " " means "through" and " ", which conveys means "Word" and "Meaning." The word dialogue is thus particularly important because of its sense of "deliberate conversation between individuals and groups."

In a dialogue, it is as if understandings of life which often run distantly from one another begin to flow beside each another in their own channels. These streams will have a dynamic nature; which changes and grows. At times these rivers may even join together in a reservoir with a communal semantic or a lake of reconciliation.

The aim of a dialogue therefore, in spite of differences of opinion and conviction, is to gain understanding and acceptance. The word is distinct from the word discussion. Because, those who engage in dialogue do not seek to defeat or silence the other person, nor do they need to be defensive. You are seeking to find out, to learn and to understand "the Other". who so far may be a "Stranger".

Sadly, the perception conveyed by events in both recent years and weeks seems to portray Islam as a faith of exclusivism, power, rivalry, and deafness to another's convictions……………………This reading may have influenced the late American scholar Samuel Huntingdon to write of a "Clash of Civilisations" between European and North American cultures and beliefs and those of Islam……………..better as I think he began to realise before the end of his life that we refer to a "Dialogue of Civilisations" whether between Heads of State, politicians, scholars, or in local government, in schools, and in the streets and communities of this country alone…………………..because firstly,

1. Genuine Islam is a Faith of Dialogue.

The Vision of Humankind in the Qur'an is one both of unity and diversity; Men, women and children are the creation of Allah Almighty - it is a universal conviction! The Qur'an affirms:

O human kind! We have created you male and female and made you nations and peoples that you may know one another. Surely noblest among you in the sight of Allah Almighty is the most virtuous of you.

Surah 5. 48

So the Qur'an recognises and respects diversity amongst human societies; there is no one superior or inferior people…………..true dignity of character is found not in antagonism but in seeking to converse, to understand and to cooperate in our diversity. This is what the Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan sacks refers to as the "Dignity of Difference".

In other words dialogue such as we experience here this evening in our listening to one another in conversation and a shared meal is to walk a mile in another person's shoes to understand their convictions and sensitivities from the inside before responding with a similar invitation of your own. It demands sincerity, humility and curiosity!

Together we can search for the answers to such questions as:

Why do we exist? What is our origin?
What is the destination of our journey?
Hope do we shape a just society??
What is the relationship among people, life, and the universe?
What is the relationship between faith and science?
How should we interpret critical thinking?
Are there metaphysical laws, just as there are physical laws?

Rather sadly, the previous American administration did not quite realise this sense of dialogue:

I muse that President Bush and VP Cheney played American Football whilst Iraq, Iran, Syria, Russia, China and Europe and indeed Turkey have been playing Chess……………..

A new chess player has come into the White House……………..

2. Islam itself is a revealed religion and acknowledges the revelation given to other prophets of other religions.

Firstly, then Islam affirms the unity of human life; secondly as you will know Islam rests on the Qur'an which Muslims believe reveals the Transcendent God to human beings in a rational, understandable way, it is the Word Inliberate. . It is also water in which lambs may safely drink and elephants may swim……………………..Just as Christians affirm Jesus to be the "Word Incarnate" disclosing God's true nature to humankind.

From the Qur'an however, Muslim people insist that both Judaism and Christianity have a special status. Each of the 2 x sister faiths affirm belief in the One God; the Torah, the rest of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament are also revelations from Allah Almighty [Winter 2005. 203].. To believe in the Hebrew Prophets, in their messages, and to stress the special status of Jesus the Christ is integral to the very faith of Islam. The central figure of the Christian Faith is in Muslim understanding a "Word" and a "Spirit" from God, as well as both a "Messenger" and "Prophet". Authentic Muslim life involves accepting these propositions……………………

The apostle believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers; they all believe in Allah and His angels and His books and His apostles; We make no difference between any of His apostles; and they say: We hear and obey, our Lord! Thy forgiveness (do we crave), and to Thee is the eventual course.

Surah 2. 285.

True Islam respects all religions and world views ideally giving freedom of worship and conviction not out of courtesy but acknowledging this is the Mind of God. Authentic. Islam identifies with them and is a reaffirmation of the same truths presented by all the preceding Prophets.

So Islam seeks to acknowledge both the apparent and the hidden good among people, and to create harmonious societies.

As an academic who specialises in Islamic Studies and have become a Muslim I am often asked "Why have you devoted the last 35 x years of your life to studying Religion? Why should we teach Religion in schools, colleges and universities?"

I have done this, and we do this because:

Religion is Dangerous! In fact 2% may be dangerous but we need to understand the difference between the dangerous and the overwhelmingly life giving……………….and in its original text Islam is the Faith of Peace [al-Islam] with the Transcendent and selfless Service [Hizmet] [ ] to others…………………

3. The Madinah Model.

Islam affirms then the unity and diversity of human beings, and it stresses that the Transcendent discloses himself through scriptures and prophetic people.

Islam is thirdly, a religion of journeys and models. As you will know the Muslim Calendar begins with the Prophet Muhammad's journey from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE. ………………2009 CE is 1430 AH.

Muhammad [Pbuh] had been invited to come to Madinah to sort out the fractious relations between Jewish, Christian and other people in the city…………some companions went with him…………………they would be a minority……a model for Muslims in the UK and Europe today.

Muhammad's conduct [Peace be upon him] at Madinah is an example of this co-existence and plurality of religions and philosophies. It was a place where people of all convictions lived together. This is an uncomfortable experience for many; it is demanding, it asks you to consider your certainties afresh, to see the world through another person's eyes…………..and to walk even a few steps in another's shoes…………..but it is transformative, it actually builds respect, social capital and cohesion………………….This is why we engage in Inter Faith Dialogue on evenings like this and on other occasions…..we do it not because it is easy on the contrary it is hard, we may have to change our minds, change our attitudes and see in the stranger a friend……………

In Madinah the Prophet made covenants / agreements between the people particularly Jews and Christians. Each of them had religious freedom and social security; the city became a federation [Ummah] which in their diversity constituted one Ummah. This is another model for legislation in a diverse social order such as ours in the UK. I would affirm that it is easier to live a Muslim life in this society than in many nominally "Muslim" states.

One more important thing about dialogue is that Islam makes it obligatory upon its believers that they should pursue it in godly manner. Dawah-calling towards the way of Allah Almighty's teachings of moral change and genuine spirituality-not in vacuum but with specific qualities

According to the Quran it embraces wisdom [Hikmah], good council, and gracious discussion.

Invite (all) to the way of the Lord with wisdom and gracious words and discuss with them in ways that are best and most courteous

Surah 23. 73.

4. Conclusion.

There are times when Islam and Muslim people may seem a contentious and turbulent federation………………..federation?! Like all world faiths, like all human communities there is diversity, there are extremes, practices and politics not marked by compassion but by revenge and bitterness.

The Crown Jewels of the Qur'an and the example of the 7th c Prophet offer a different agenda viz. one of transformation for our human societies where all human beings irrespective of creed, identity, gender, region and nationality may enjoy the benefits of peace, security, justice and religious freedoms.

Dialogue…………….is not an easeful journey, it is a costly one, a humbling one but one mandated for Muslims by the Allah Almighty……………and one way for it to began is to come in through open doors as for this evening and to share a meal.

"Islam, Christianity and Judaism all come from the same root, have almost the same essentials, and are nourished from the same source. … The common point between them and their shared responsibility is to build a happy world for all the creatures of God which makes interfaith dialogue among them necessary."

Gülen. 2006. 362.

If you wish to go fast - travel alone; if you wish to go far - travel together - in Dialogue.

Dr Ian G. Williams

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References:

Gulen, Fethullah, Love and Tolerance: Towards a Global Civilisation, NJ, USA, Light Publications 2006.

Huntingdon, Samuel, The Clash of Civilizations: And the Remaking of World Order, London, Simon & Schuster 1997.

Sacks, Jonathan, The Dignity of Difference: How to avoid the Clash of Civilizations, London, Continuum 2003.

Solomon, N, Harries, R & Winter, T. Abraham's Children: Jews, Christians and Muslims in Conversation, London, T & T Clark, 2005.