Introduction
We live in a world with a plethora of religions. However, there is no doubt that religions play a significant role in the lives of people. Even those who do not subscribe to the tenets of any religion, at least they have something to say about religion. There are three major religions in the globe, which are Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
Each of these three religions has its own history that dates back very many centuries ago. Interestingly, people subscribing to the teachings of these religions have one thing in common: they believe in one God. The paper mainly dwells on Islam as a religion, and the views of Muslim worshippers about the world. The word Islam comes from the Arabic language and it simply means submission.
In other words, those following the religion have to submit to certain powers—God. Those who subscribe to the teachings of Islam are Muslims and they always submit themselves to God. It is also important to note that even Christians and Jews refer the one they submit to as God. Just like Christians and Jews, the Muslims also believe God created the universe and all that harbors in it.
They all consider God as all-powerful and only Him that every creature should bow down to worship. This meticulous monotheism together with the teachings of these three major religions provides the foundation of having a common loyalty to God, and it surpasses race, group, ethnic group, and even different religious views. In other words, people of the same religion belong to one community irrespective of their ethnic background, color, nationality or tribe.
Revelation of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad
We cannot talk of Islam minus mentioning Prophet Muhammad. The historical accounts as mentioned in Hadith and other companions, starts by revealing the identity of Prophet Mohammad. These stories depict that at 40 years of age, Muhammad devoted much of his time doing solemn prayers and trying to unravel the facets of creation.
Islamic experts believe that Muhammad was a man of concern especially by what was going on in the world such as injustice, pervasive bigotry, tribal animosities, corruption, social unrest and many more. He therefore chose to intercede to God on behalf of the people.
Muhammad could go up the mountains, or in serene places and mull over in seclusion. However, Muhammad never deserted his family, as he would join them later. In other words, he did not choose asceticism or monasticism, but instead, he choose to perform what he thought was right. In fact, if he went for many days up the mountain without returning soon, his wife, Khadija, would take him food and water.
Sometimes, he invited those leaving by the mountainside to share the food with him. According to Muslim scholars, the revelation of Qur’an to Prophet Mohammad was not a once event. The scholars go on to say that, anger Gabriel visited Prophet Mohammad and show him a verse inside the Qur’an, and that is how it started (Dermenghem 183).
It is now over 1400 years ago since God (Allah) revealed the Qur’an to Prophet Mohammad. Just like the Christian Bible, the Qur’an is one of books that people read most. The Muslim scholars, some who were the architects of the Gregorian calendar, believe that Allah revealed the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad on august 10, 610.
Since the revelation of the Qur’an, Muslims from different backgrounds have always liked the book and they strongly believe it came from God. In fact, the love for the book is enormous making them to recite even some sections or verses in it. They have even gone ahead and can recite some quotes and some have even mastered the art of pursuing them in studies.
Interestingly, historical scholars and other interested researchers have found it easy to ascertain the authenticity of the Qur’an. However, unlike the Bible, the Qur’an still uses the primary Arabic language making it even more authentic. As an example, I refer to the Qur’an in order to corroborate the idea of this revelation:
Ramadan has always been the period when Islamic followers participate in fasting and helping the disadvantaged. Since this is the time of solemn prayer, Allah showed Laylat al-Qadr some parts of the Qur’an. While in prayer, angel Gabriel informed Mohammad that he had to read it, but Mohammad could not read. But after several trials, Mohammad read it (Quran 96.15).
It is important to note that Allah revealed the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad on several but different occasions. In fact, according to Islamic scholars, the revelation of the Qur’an took over 23 years characterizes by either Part by Part, or the entire chapter, or sometimes sections of a chapter. Comprising of 114 chapters and over 6,000 quotes, at least all Muslims enjoy reading the book with zeal and determination.
Out of the 23 years, there are two sections: one comprising of the first 15 years that Muslims refer as Mecca, and the last 10 years that Muslims refer as the Medina period. The Mecca period is full of quotes (ayets) mainly dwell on the rudiments of Islamic faith and beliefs, for example, Faith in angels and Allah, the recognition of holy books, the judgment day, and Allah’s envoys among others. Conversely, the Medina period mainly highlights rituals, norms, ibadet, and legislation (Dermenghem 74-121).
During the revelation of the Qur’an, Prophet Mohammad had to memorize everything bestowed upon him by Allah. Through teachings, Prophet Mohammed bestowed it upon the followers. The companions used their hearts, wrote down the ayets, and then together with Prophet Mohammad, they counterchecked in order to verify.
Since there were no books during those times, stones, animal skins, leaves of palm trees became materials to carry the information. Interestingly, in order to preserve its authenticity, the angel Gabriel led Prophet Mohammad in reciting the Qur’an once in every year, and twice, in the year of his death. Today, a huge number of Muslims are able to recite the Qur’an having learnt it as early as pre-school years (Rahman 7-27).
It is imperative to note that the Qur’an continues to inspire the lives of many Muslims. This is simply because it contains quotes (ayets) that talk about life issues and how people should live together in harmony. Additionally, the Qur’an is replete with science starting with geology, embryology to astronomy.
Thus, it is the foundation of science knowledge, and very many scientists concur that it has imperative astounding and unfathomable accurate facts that enlightens people not only in the world of science, but also in real life situations. Many people also believe that the things said in the Qur’an are now evident in real life and many things have occurred thus, proving it even further.
Additionally, the Qur’an is a source of inspiration to many as it encourages populations to apply their intelligences in order to handle certain situations. For instance, the Qur’an explains what happens during embryogenesis within the early 40 days. Those studying medicine and life sciences notes the in explicate accuracy of this fact. The fascinating stories in the Qur’an also explain the science of oceanography.
For instance, the divisions of two seas, the waves, salinity and density of seas, the existence of clouds above the sky, all these explain the creation with authenticity. In fact, besides being a spiritual book, many Muslims consider it a scientific manual as well. The biggest factor however is that the Qur’an is a book full of ayets and quotes that make those interested in it brood over the grandeur of God (Rahman 183-197).
Muslims on role of religion
Since its revelation, people have come to discover their origin and existence. It covers the creation of man from the first descendant to the present one. Inside, numerous directions guide people on how to live. In other words, it sets out the rules and regulations of life, and those following it live a successful life.
The Qur’an also reveals stories of messengers, nations and other events that happened in the past, gives directions about the present, and projects the future. Notably, the Qur’an talks of the Judgment Day, that is, the day when every human being will stand before the Creator to give accounts of his/her life. In general, since its revelation, the Qur’an is like a torch that sheds light upon the history of humanity, continues to be an inspiration to many people, and teaches human values form one generation to another.
Perhaps the chief role of religion is to teach the oneness in God. Since its revelations, Muslims have understood nothing other than being equal in the eyes of God irrespective of race, ethnic background, nationality or color. Like the Jewish and Christianity, Muslims view religion as a bond uniting people in God.
For instance, the Qur’an is full of teachings on ethics and life, and goes ahead to explain that God manages all affairs through life and ethics, which are the foundation of consciousness. The teachings of Islam also prevail upon human beings to be merciful and show humility, charity, endurance, and honesty in all their endeavors. After all, the Qur’an regards human beings not pure and that they have inherent sins that may curtail them from doing what is right.
Islam also teaches about faith and beseeches people to use faith in their actions. In fact, the Qur’an teaches that it is those with faith will monitor their deeds and actions no matter how weak they are to fall into the traps of sin. Islam also teaches obedience and this is one of the roles of any religion. Although not a threat, the teachings of Islam teach people to be careful in what they do because they will stand to account each deed on the Judgment Day.
The other role of religion is to ensure that human beings are sincere in their daily endeavors, suffice to say that Islam educates people to be on the right side of history without infringing the right of their fellow human beings. Through Islam teachings as highlighted in the ayets and quotes, human beings can lead a life devoid of selfish motives, greed, immorality and many vices that are more negative (Sohail and Miller 180-200).
Just like Jewish and Christianity, Islam roots for a better life. In other words, the Qur’an teaches that it is only in Allah that human beings obtain true happiness, conscious and satisfaction. Additionally, Islam also teaches on freedom of human beings and that each person is free to do the things they like as long as they do not infringe the rights of others. When people are free, it means they can make rational decisions according to their desires.
The ideological aspect of human beings is evident when human beings feel free to what they love most without any form of inhibition. A pure balanced religion serves the right of giving human beings the avenues they should take in life and distinct rationale about choices they make. Islam leads in this through proportionate and realistic teachings that not only offer spiritual nourishment and placate, but also direction and morality.
Consequently, many Muslims lead a life free of worries and one that is rich in self-discipline and self-control. These are necessary elements to prayer and fasting and play significant roles in discouraging tribal, cultural and nationalized prejudices. Thus, there is no doubt that Islam plays an imperative religious role that not only makes people to be conscious of their God, but also lead people into the realization of human dignity.
Muslim and military affairs
The Islamic military jurisprudence has not gone well down with many people who associate the religion with terror attacks. From Al-Qaeda in the Middle East to Al-shabaab in Somalia, many people especially non-Muslims associate Islam with terror activities. The Islamic scholars believe that Sharia (Islamic law) was among the things that Allah revealed to Prophet Mohammad. In fact, the historical context of Sharia law dates back to the time of establishment of the Medina.
Serious interpretations from the Qur’an and the reconciliations from the recitations of Prophet Muhammad arrived at two paramount issues: the justness of war, and secondly, embargo to jihad. Following the tyrannical practices that had occurred to the Muslims as orchestrated by the Meccan Quraish, the interpreters of the teachings resorted to jihad as a military dimension of protecting the Muslims.
Jihad became a course of action form the Creator to guard the Muslim community. Since then individual or groups of Muslim fellows have resorted into injunctions aimed at protecting their interests. However, critics have since accused the Muslim community of war injunctions, especially terrorism activities. Not once, the duel to curtail terrorism has led to catastrophic episodes.
Nuclear proliferation and militarization have become a common concern of many nations. The western countries do not seem to agree anymore with many countries dominated and ruled by Islamic law. This has resulted into misunderstandings and invitation of sanctions related to trade, standardization of the military, and other embargos (Ali and Rehman 321-343).
Territorial expansion of Islam
Following the revelation of the Qur’an, Islamic civilization has spread to virtually every corner of the world. We are looking back one century after the death of Prophet Mohammad and you will find Muslims in Spain and other western countries. A series of empires based their rule on Islamic law and thus promoting Islamic culture that spread so fast.
There is no doubt that the military struggles and injunctions during the First and Second World Wars led t the territorial expansion of Islam siring new cultures and other notable political and scientific leaders. In conclusion, the Qur’an was important in unleashing reasonably elevated levels of literacy to the common population (Montgomery 215-231).
Works Cited
Ali, Shaheen and Rehman, Javaid. “The Concept of Jihad in Islamic International Law”. Journal of Conflict & Security Law. 10(3), 2005, pp. 321–343. Print.
Dermenghem, Emile. (1958). Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and the Islamic tradition. New York: Harper Brothers, 1958. Print.
Montgomery, Watt. “Khārijite thought in the Umayyad Period”. Der Islam. 36(3), 1960, pp. 215–231. Print.
Rahman, Fazlur. Major Themes of the Qur’an. (Second ed.). Chicago: University Of Chicago Press, 2009. Print.
Sohail, Hashmi and Miller, David. Boundaries and Justice: diverse ethical perspectives. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2001. Print.
The Qur’an. Trans. M. A. S. Abdel Haleem. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008. Print.