Islam

Paper Summary:

This paper provides a background to Islam, the name given to the religion preached by the Prophet Muhammad in the 600's AD. It describes the practices and beliefs including the five basic beliefs or pillars of the Islamic faith. It looks at the differences between the Islam practiced in Iraq where about ninety-five percent of the population are Muslims and that practiced by Muslims in the United States who are part of the Nation of Islam which preaches Black nationalism. It also examines how Malcolm X quickly became the Nation of Islam's most effective minister and national spokesman for the Nation of Islam.

Outline
Islam Religion in the Arab World
Description of the Islamic Religion
Three Muslim Divisions
Black Muslims in the United States
Influence of Louis Farrakhan
Influence of Malcom X
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The next largest division is the Shiah whose members are called Shiites. Shiite Muslims honor Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, and Ali's descendants, whom they believe should be the leaders of the Muslim community. Shiah comes from the Arabic phrase shiat Ali, meaning supporters of Ali. The majority of the Muslims in Iraq are members of the Shiah branch of Islam. Most Arabs living southeast of Baghdad belong to this sect of Islam. They see authority as residing in twelve imams, starting with Ali, who was born in about AD 600, and ending with Muhammad al-Mahdi, who was born in about AD 868. They believe this last imam is still alive, in a miraculous state of concealment from human view. He will return at the end of time to restore justice on earth."

More papers on Islam:

• Essay # 37015 : "On The History Of Islam"
• Analytical Essay # 150198 : "Islam and Modern Science"
• Book Review # 37006 : "Book Reviews on Islam"
• Comparison Essay # 3253 : "The Nation of Islam: Are They Islamic?"

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