1. Islam emerged out of a political vacuum created by the constant battles between the Byzantine (Christian) and Persian (predominantly Zoroastrian) empires in sixth century Middle East.
  2. Muhammad (570-632 AD) first appeared in Mecca as a social reformer who aspired to unite the Arab tribes against the invading political powers. He used religion as a unifying force to champion the idea, 'one nation under God.'
  3. The God that Muhammad introduced was the same God who revealed the Torah (Pentateuch) to the Jews, and the Injil (Gospel) to the Christians. However, the Jews disobeyed the Torah by plotting against Jesus and the Christians corrupted Injil through illegitimate translations. Therefore God, Muhammad claimed, revealed to him the latest and the final revelation, the 'Quran'.
  4. The Meccans rejected Muhammad's message and exiled him to Medina. He formed a private army in Medina and organized guerilla warfare against the Meccans.
  5. In less than 10 years Muhammad returned to Mecca and captured the city. Various gods (ilahs) of the Arab tribes were replaced by the one God (Al-ilah = The God). Muhammad declared himself the last and the final prophet of this God (Allah). This was the official founding of Islam (630 AD).
  6. After Muhammad's death in 632 AD, Islam split into two factions: Sunnis under Abu Bakr (Muhammad's father-in-law) and Shi'ites under Ali (Muhammad's son-in-law). Ali's two sons (Muhammad's grandchildren) were later murdered by the Sunnis. This started the rivalry between the Sunnis and the Shi'ites that continues even today.
  7. A number of other lesser known factions also exist in Islam (Sufism, Ahammadiya movement etc.) which are considered heretic sects by mainstream Muslims.
  8. A person can embrace Islam by saying a prayer of confession called shahada: "There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of Allah."
  9. True Muslims follow a common creed, often known as the "five pillars" of Islam. They recite the confession of faith (shahada); pray five times a day (salat); faithfully give a percentage of their earnings to the poor (zakat); fast during the month of Ramadan (sawm); and aspire to make the ultimate pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj), something that each Muslim is recommended to do at least once in a lifetime.
  10. According to Islam, the Quran is the 'literal' word of God descended from heaven. Muhammad did not write the Quran; he only recited the verses as he heard them from the angel of Allah.
  11. Jesus is mentioned 59 times in the Quran. Jesus' mother, Mary, is the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran.
  12. Jesus is a prophet who brought the Injil from Allah. (Sura 5:46)
  13. Jesus was born of a virgin by the Spirit of God, without a human father. (Sura 3:45-47, 19:16-22)
  14. Jesus led a sinless life. (Sura 19:19)
  15. Jesus did many miracles (including speaking from his crib as an infant). (Sura 2:87, 3:46)
  16. Jesus is addressed as the Messiah (Sura 4:157), the Word from God (Sura 4:171, 3:45), and the Spirit from God (Sura 4:171).
  17. Jesus did not die on the cross; instead he was taken directly into the heaven. (Sura 4:157,158)
  18. Muslims anticipate Jesus’ second coming to establish a world of peace in complete submission to God.

  1. What are the sociopolitical issues that contributed to the birth of Islam?
  2. How does the Islamic understanding of the Quran differ from the Christian understanding of the Bible?
  3. Which are the different factions within Islam? What are the major disputes between them?
  4. Compare and contrast the portrayal of Jesus in the Quran and in the Bible. How do you explain the differences between them?
  5. What are some of the Islamic theories about the crucifixion of Jesus?

  1. On a World Map, identify the countries that are considered 'Islamic Republics'. Check the growth statistics of other religious traditions in these countries. What are your inferences?
  2. If possible, attend the Eid al-Adha celebrations of a Muslim community. Try to understand the meaning of "sacrifice" according to Islam. Why was a sacrifice necessary to "ransom" the son of Abraham in the story of Eid al-Adha?

  1. On a World Map, identify the countries that are considered 'Islamic Republics'. Check the growth statistics of other religious traditions in these countries. What are your inferences?
  2. If possible, attend the Eid al-Adha celebrations of a Muslim community. Try to understand the meaning of "sacrifice" according to Islam. Why was a sacrifice necessary to "ransom" the son of Abraham in the story of Eid al-Adha?

  1. The Man who became a Sign
    Chapter 5, The Unknown God.