WHAT IS THE ISLAMIC FAITH?
Islam means submission (to the will of Allah) and Muslim is one who submits. To understand Islam, one must comes to terms with Muhammad (ca. 570-632). Little is known of the prophet’s early life. He was born in Mecca and at an early age was orphaned. He participated in both the cultic activities of his tribe and the caravan trade as well. During one of his prolonged periods of mediation and reflection, the angel Gabriel appeared to him. These revelations were later collected into 114 chapters of the Koran (Quran), the holy book of Islam. The essence of these revelations was that there was one God, Allah, and that he, Muhammad, is the (last and final) prophet of Allah. This teaching meant that the polytheism of the bedouin tribes was an affront to God and would result in judgment. This was most unpopular, so he was forced to flee Mecca in 622. He took up residence in Medina and Islam began to grow there. He organized a military power in Medina and by 630 had conquered Mecca. By his deat
