Islam Guide Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Islam Guide - Essay Example A review of the five pillars of the religion suggests that belief and witness, i.e. the Shahada, daily prayers (five times a day), almsgiving (Zakat), fasting during Ramadanm and pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) are basic to Islamic religion. Significantly, the author commences the chapter on Islam with a detailed description of the life and works of the Prophet Muhammad, according to which the Prophet Muhammad always denied having any superhuman powers. As the Qur’an describes him, the Prophet Muhammad was a human like anyone else, and he was just a servant of the God to whom revelation has come. Significantly, the Prophet Muhammad made only a single claim about his miracles: that he had received the Qur’anic revelations in an extraordinarily eloquent and pure Arabic. â€Å"Nevertheless, all who saw the Prophet remarked on his touching physical beauty, his nobility of character, the fragrance of his presence, his humility, and his kindness. In his devotion to God, he quietl y endured poverty so extreme that he tied a stone over his stomach to suppress the pangs of hunger.† (Fisher, 337) Therefore, Living Religions by Mary Pat Fisher provides a compelling study resource on the historical development and major teachings of the Islamic religion and the readers are able to recognize how this religion has evolved into contemporary beliefs and practices. It is pertinent to realize that the opening section of the chapter on Islam in Living Religions by Mary Fisher deals with the history concerning the Prophet Muhammad followed by the teaching story of the humility of the Prophet. In the teaching story, the readers are provided with a convincing illustration of how the humility of the Prophet was a model to his followers. In the next section, â€Å"The Qur’an†, the author maintains that it is the revelations that the Prophet received, rather than the Prophet himself, which is at the heart of Islam, and the Qur’an outlines the message s he received over a period of twenty three years. â€Å"At first they were striking affirmations of the unity of God and the woe of those who did not heed God’s message. Later messages also addressed the organizational needs and social lives of the Muslim community†¦ Recitation of the Qur’an is thought to have a healing, soothing effect, but can also bring protection, guidance, and knowledge...† (Fisher, 338) Thus, the author offers a forceful and comprehensive illustration of the history of the religion based on its teachings and principles as given in the Qur’an. In the next section of the chapter, Mary Fisher deals exclusively with the central teachings of the Islam and she covers all the major aspects of the Islamic principles. Thus, the author talks about ‘the oneness’ of God and humanity, prophet-hood and the compass of Islam, human relationship to the divine, the unseen life, and the last judgment. According to the author, there is great similarity between the essence of God and the human nature, and they are united to each other. Mary Fisher also establishes that prophet-hood is the essential characteristic of Islam, and the Prophet Muhammad is the unquestionable leader of the religion. In this section of the chapter, the author makes a reflective analysis of the human relationship