RELIGIONS
OF THE WORLD
Islam
. Belief in Deity:
There exists only one personal God Almighty--Creator, all-powerful,
ever-present, and all-knowing--formless, incorporeal spirit.
. Incarnations:
None, as only God is worshipped. Muhammad is revered as the
last and greatest of about 124 Prophets/Messengers. Jesus Christ
was a Prophet/Messenger of miraculous birth who performed miracles,
ascended to heaven before crucifixion, and will return as a
Muslim--but he was not an incarnation of God.
. Origin of Universe and Life:
God created the heavens and earth in six days, but the Qur'an
refers to a "day" as equal to thousands or tens of thousands
(or any large number) of years. In the West, some Muslims allow
for the belief in evolution but only as controlled by God.
. After
Death:
Saved souls will experience the bliss of heaven and unsaved
souls the torture of hell. On Judgment Day, God will resurrect
the dead, unite body and soul, and judge all for eternity in
heaven or hell. There are seven layers of heaven.
. Why Evil?:
People are not inherently sinners but are, by God's design,
free to choose right or wrong, including belief or nonbelief
in God. Satan and his spirits inhabit the planet and rule the
nonbelievers, while Satan cannot touch believers.
. Salvation:
Obey God's law and Muhammad's doctrine. The path to heaven includes
confessing faith in one God, Allah, and that Muhammad is His
Messenger; recitation of five prayers daily; giving alms; fasting
throughout Ramadan, pilgrimage to Mecca. Confessing and repenting
one's sins is between the person and God, made only to Allah
and for Allah. Strict obedience to God's laws (conveyed in the
Qur'an) and His prophet's doctrine is required.
. Undeserved Suffering:
Suffering is desired by Allah to erase one's sins. Some suffering
is Satan's doing or is the work of his spirit world cohorts
("Jinn") and is allowed by Allah as a test of humility and faith;
suffering and adversity strengthen one's faith, as pain often
leads to repentance and prayer.
. Contemporary Issues:
Abortion is prohibited. Homosexual behavior is condemned. Gender
roles are prescribed. Marriage is a sacred contract (but not
regarded as a sacrament), and although divorce is permitted,
strong reconciliation attempts and measures are expected to
be taken first, per the Qur'an, and there are some waiting periods
and restrictions on multiple remarriage to the same woman. Remarriage
is not prohibited.