Islam: REL/134-World Religious Traditions

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An Islam Paper University of Phoenix REL/ 134 - World Religious Traditions II Week Five Paper March 16, 2010 An Islam Paper Islam is a monotheistic religion based on revelations received by the exalted Prophet Muhammad during the 7th century, translating within Islam’s sacred text the Qur'an. With over 1.3 billion adherents worldwide, Islam is the world’s second largest religion. The Arabic originated word Islam means "submission," to the will of God (ReligionFacts, 2004-2009). In this paper, Team C presents the following: a brief discussion of the historical foundation of Islam; a description of similarities and differences between Islam and Christianity; common symbolism in Islamic Texts and religious practices; description…show more content…
Both religions founded from the Judaism belief in one God. Both Christianity and Islam agree that humans are the ruling species upon the earth. Both believers of Islam and Christianity believe that they are the children of Abraham. Whereas similarities in foundational beliefs and origin exist, many differences divide the two nations of believers. In the 1,300 years after the life of Muhammad, the relationships between Christianity and Islam have remained less than harmonious. As the Muslim Empire spread, much after the conquering of the Judeo-Christian Holy Land and the Christian Byzantine Empire. During the 11th and 13th centuries, the Christian Crusades waged mainly against Muslims, served only to separate the two faiths in a greater capacity. Constantinople, the "New Rome" and the center of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, fell to the Turks in 1453, living under Islamic rule after this defeat (ReligionFacts,…show more content…
These texts are responsible for teaching, as it is a guide used to relay direction and knowledge for its followers. The texts are also used to assist the passing on of teachings about that particular religion. For the Islam nation, that most sacred text is the Qur’an. It was not until 610 A.D. that Islam’s Holy Qur’an was revealed to Muhammad, whom was Islam’s greatest Prophet. The Qur’an came through a series of revelations to Muhammad, from the angel Gabriel when Muhammad was 40 years old, away on one of his common retreats for solidarity in the city of Ramadan. It is believed that while Muhammad was sleep in Ramadan, Gabriel came to him and recited three verses. These verses were inscribed in Muhammad’s heart after his awaking from his trance like sleep; informing him that he was to be the prophet to share God’s messages, giving him the title as God’s
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