Description

A great, and very positive, discussion of the history and theology of Islam.  The story begins in the beginning with Muhammad and how Islam started.  It then discusses the Quran, both what it is and what it says.  This includes the Five Pillars of Islam, namely, 1) shahada, or the creed of Islam; 2) salat, or daily prayer; 3) sawm, or the month of fasting; 4) zakat, or charity; and 5) hajj, or the pilgrimage to Mecca.  The video then talks about sharia law and the hadith, and focuses particularly on the doctrine of the 72 virgins reward.  The last half of the video discusses the history and politics of Islam after Muhammad, including the myth that Islam spread mostly by the sword.

Discussion Questions

• What stood out or did you learn?
• What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
• How is Islam both different and similar compared to Christianity and other religions?
• Do you think Islam was ‘spread by the sword’ and as violent as many critics claim?

Keywords: Islam, Muslim, prayer, koran, quran, religion dogma, doctrine, hadith, Muhammad, theology, war