Islamic Symbols and Names
As a popular and widely followed religion, Islam is characterized by numerous symbols and special names. In particular, one of the essential Islamic symbols is the Crescent and Star, which is an ancient symbol. The historical background and origin of this symbol are closely tied to its earlier appearance in the ancient Greek colony of Byzantium, where it was first introduced.
It was proclaimed an official symbol of Islam by the crucial figures participating in the Ottoman Empire’s rule. The symbol represents a crescent moon, signifying the beginning, and a star, signifying enlightenment, which is used on the flags of Muslim countries and on the walls of spiritual buildings. It is also used in worship-related art by many Muslims. Important names of the Islamic faith are Islam and Muslims. When differentiating between them, one should consider Islam as the name of a religion, while the word Muslim refers to a person who adheres to the Islamic religion.
Life of the Prophet Muhammad
One of the decisive personalities for the Islamic religion is the Prophet Muhammad and his life. The Prophet Muhammad was a significant religious and political figure in the early years of Arabia around 600 C.E. The significance of this figure to the world of Islam is validated by his role as the founder of the Islamic religion.
The life of the Prophet Muhammad is well-documented, which enables the identification of some critical events that remain relevant to Muslims today. Indeed, he was the one who proclaimed the main principles of Islam, was given the essence of the Qur’an, and promoted Islam among many peoples. According to research, “many Arab tribes in the region came into Islam while Muhammad controlled Medina, acknowledging his leadership.”
One of the key events significant for Islam is the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, which is celebrated during Mawlid. Another critical event in the life of Muhammad is the so-called Night Journey, which is commemorated as Isra and Miraj to remember the Prophet’s prayers and his importance to the Islamic religion.
Sacred Scriptures
As a religion with a long and rich history, Islam is based on the sacred scripture called the Qur’an. Overall, the Qur’an is considered a holy book of Islam that contains the most essential narratives, presenting the background and the decisive principles of the religion. Indeed, it is commonly believed among Muslims that “the angel Gabriel divinely revealed to Muhammad the Qur’an, the perfect copy of an eternal, heavenly book.”
The book consists of 114 chapters, called surahs, some of which hold particular importance for Muslims. Specifically, the first surah is often used as a basic prayer for Muslims because it contains a brief outline of the Qur’an. Similarly, the seventh surah names several important prophets, such as Hud, Shu’aib, and Salih, who played a crucial role in the development of Islam as a religion.
Beliefs and Practices
Six Articles of Faith
As presented in the Qur’an, the Islamic religion is characterized by specific principles and regulations. They include the Six Articles of Faith and the Five Pillars of Islam. Firstly, the first article of faith is based on the belief in the oneness of Allah as the only God. In this regard, Islam is considered a monotheistic religion, according to which Muslims recognize only one God named Allah. According to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, “God is an eternal, spiritual being; God is not a force, but a divine person.”
The second article of faith holds that Muslims believe in angels and spirits. According to Islam, God created angels and spirits to help him, and the latter created humans. Indeed, it was the angel Gabriel who delivered the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad, which has become a decisive event in the religion. Furthermore, Muslims believe in other archangels who assist Allah as “the messengers carrying divine revelation to humans.”
The third article of faith is related to the belief in the Books of Allah. The most important book of Allah is the Qur’an, which is accompanied by other psalms and scriptures. It is considered that “the name Qur’an means recitation, which reflects the main origin and use of this scripture, oral communication – first from Gabriel to Muhammad, and then from Muhammad to his followers.” The books of Allah are significant for Muslims since they contain the most essential principles and prayers of the religion.
The fourth article of faith concerns the Prophets of Allah. Overall, prophets play a decisive role in the Qur’an and in the whole religion. According to the scripture, “God has revealed the divine will at key points in human history through prophets.” Muhammad is one of the twenty-five prophets mentioned in the Qur’an; all of them played a role in delivering the principles of Islam to Muslims, with Muhammad being the last.
The fifth article of faith in Islam pertains to the belief in the Day of Judgment. According to the Islamic religion, “on a day known only to God, a heavenly trumpet will sound, and all the dead will rise from their graves with eternal bodies to meet their Maker.” On that day, all the people will receive their personal books, which will contain a record of their deeds. The ones with good deeds will receive their books in the right hand, and those with wicked deeds will receive books in the left hand. Individuals with books in their right hands will go to heaven, while those holding books in their left hands will be sent to hell.
Finally, the sixth article of faith relates to the belief in the divine decree – the will of Allah. Everything created by Allah is subordinate to him and happens according to his will and knowledge.
Five Pillars of Islam
Similar to the articles of faith, Islam is characterized by its five pillars. The first one is Shahadah, or the statement of belief. It requires confessing to believing in God by stating, “there is no god but God, and Muhammad is God’s prophet.” The second pillar is Salah, or prayer, which entails the decisive importance of saying prayers as a manifestation of Muslim worship. Adherents of Islam pray five times a day, regardless of their location.
The third pillar of faith is called Zakah, or almsgiving, which is not strictly regulated but prioritizes generosity in Muslims. It is considered essential to give money and food to the poor, including orphans and widows. The fourth pillar is Sawm, or fasting, which requires abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours throughout the month of Ramadan, considered a time for greater submission to God. The final pillar of faith is Hajj, or pilgrimage, which emphasizes the importance of visiting Mecca at least once during a Muslim’s lifetime. Thus, the 6 articles of faith and five pillars of Islam comprise the essence of the principles and rituals of the Islamic religion.
Bibliography
Van Voorst, Robert E. World RELG4: Introduction to World Religions. Boston: Cengage, 2020.