And many false prophets shall rise,
and shall deceive many.
Matthew 24:11
وَيَقُومُ أَنْبِيَاءُ كَذَبَةٌ كَثِيرُونَ وَيُضِلُّونَ كَثِيرِينَ.
--This is a SIMPLIFIED Overview/Outline--
--The Division
--The Sunni
--The Shia
--Ibadi
--Sufism
Pagan Practices Adopted In Islam--Tawaf between Safa and Marwa
--Praying 5 Times Towards Mecca
--Requirement of Ihram
--Circumambulation 7 Times
--Worship at the Ka’aba
--Veneration of the Black-stone
--Crescent Moon Symbol
Tawaf between Safa and Marwa
"Doing Tawaf between Safa and Marwa is an Islamic ritual associated with the pilgrimage to Mecca.
The Division
When Muhammed died his followers elected a Caliph (sort of a political and military leader) to lead them.
Ali, cousin of Mohammed, who married Mohammed's daughter Fatima, believed that the bloodline of the so-called prophet should be leader.
Ali's followers would become the Shia, followers of Ali.
The Sunni were his opponents, named for the Sunna or tradition.
After 3 caliphs, Ali was finally narrowly elected caliph but would be assassinated.
At the battle of Karbala Ali's son Hussein was killed by the new caliph and from then on Shia were hunted by Sunni and the split came.
The Sunni
The Sunni have 4 schools, or denominations, based on interpretations of the Quran, Hadiths (stories written about Mohammed with quotes written supposedly by his followers after his death), Sunnah, and other writings.
1) Hanafi: They use reasoning in theological interpretations and for legal rulings along with their holy writings.
2) Maliki: Follow the writings and rulings from the early Muslims at Medina on topics and legal rulings. They consider them, as the relatives of Muhammed, to be closest to truth from those closest to the time of the so-called prophet.
3) Shafi'i: They generally reject using opinions by scholars outside of the Quran itself and the Hadiths.
4) Hanbali: Their focus is on the Quran and Sunnah. Much more strict in their interpretation.
--Another group are known as Non-Denominational. They do not subscribe to any of the 4 sects and just follow the Quran.
--Salfai: Sunni's who began in the late 1800's to get back to the basics of the writings and commentaries from the first 3 generations of Islam. They also are wary of western culture impacting Islam. There are 3 schools of Salafi.
1) Queitess: Tend to reject being in involved in politics or worldly affairs. Focus should be on worship and study for personal spiritual advancement.
2) Islamist: Belief that Islam should guide both one's politics and personal life. The Muslim Brotherhood are of this sect.
3) Jihadi: Believe in the global struggle to restore the Caliphate.
--Wahhabism: Been around since the Middle Ages but took it's name after a leader of the 19th century. Calls for a return to pristine Islam and strong supporters of Jihadi sentiments. Osama Bin Laden was of this school.
--Deobandi: Began in India in the Middle Ages to get back to pristine Islam of the early days yet borrow some Sufist meditation practices. A large amount but not all of the Taliban follow this sect.
OUTLIER: Ahmadiyya: They reject Jihad and, unlike most Muslims who claim Christ was a prophet sent before Muhammed, but failed, the Ahmadiyya also add to the list Moses, Buddha, Krishna and Zoroaster. They can study their texts for wisdom along with the Quran although the Quran is the holy writing.
The Shia
The Shia have 3 major groupings:
1) 12er's: Believe in the first 12 Imams to be on par with Muhammed as they came from his bloodline starting with his cousin Ali. The last one was a 4 year old boy who disappeared. He is thought to be in hiding waiting to return as the Mahdi in the end
times. (Sunni believe the Mahdi will be born among them but perform a sign when he is ready to reveal himself to them).
2) 7er's: (Ismailism) Believe in the first 6 Imams but believe the brother of the 7th should have been the 7th Imam. He gave mystical teachings bordering on Sufism. They follow his teachings.
3) 5er's: (Zaydism) They disagree with who the 5th Imam was. They tend to believe in rationalism over literal interpretations of the Quran.
OUTLIER: Alawite: They use secret teachings only passed along by males by word of mouth. The very few texts they have are tightly guarded from outsiders. They believe in reincarnation believing that they come back as Christians then back as an Alawite for another chance until they get life right. They believe they are fallen stars from the heavens. They adopt the Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter. They take their name from the founder of the Shia -- Ali. They believe Ali was the reincarnation of Allah. They believe the 5 Pillars of Islam are more voluntary rather than mandatory. Unlike other Muslims they believe in baptism, Assad of Syria was an Alawite.
OUTLIER: Druze: They believe in reincarnation of just the Druze where each time they come back they work on being better in each life. They do not allow new conversions to their religion. They split from the 7er's. For some reason they highly revere Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses. They have no official houses of worship.
OUTLIER: Alevi: They borrow some mysticism from the Sufists as well as viewing Ali of the Shia as a spiritual guide. They follow the "4 gates and forty stations" on their path to enlightenment. They also engage in nature veneration. They believe that Muhammed and Ali are a reflection of Allah's light. They believe in the curse of giving one the evil eye. They also believe in the immortality of the soul.
Although the Sunni believe angels can't sin because they have no free will, and Shia believe angels have free will but choose not to sin, the Alevi believe in both good and bad angels who are both very active in the affairs of man. They confess their sins once a year and have shamans (witch doctors). The Sema Dance is performed by twirling around to represent the planets around the sun as they put off self to unite with Allah.
Ibadi
The Ibadi were those who were basically tired of the wars between
Sunni and Shia so packed up and headed south. They believe they should just follow the Quran. They accept all Muslims as real Muslims who profess Muhammed as the prophet. The only criticism of other Muslims is of Sufists of whom they reject their mysticism.
Sufism
In a simplified form Sufists are Islamic Mysticism/New Age. They
include rites such as deep meditation techniques and self purification. Some also engage in dancing worship forms similar to the dancing dervas of Hinduism. Although mostly Sunni in orientation sometimes Shia have been allowed to join at different times in history.
Tawaf between Safa and Marwa
"Doing Tawaf between Safa and Marwa is an Islamic ritual associated with the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Safa and Marwa are two mounts, located at Mecca.
This ritual entails Muslims walking frantically between the two mounts, seven times.
According to a hadith in Bukhari, this was originally a pagan pre-Islamic practice. Muhammad retained it for Islam, sanctioning it with yet another Qur’anic revelation.
“Behold! Safa and Marwa are among the Symbols of Allah. So if those who visit the House in the Season or at other times, should compass them round, it is no sin in them. And if any one obeyeth his own impulse to good,- be sure that Allah is He Who recogniseth and
knoweth.“Sura 2:158
‘Asim: I asked Anas bin Malik:
“Did you use to dislike to perform Tawaf between Safa and Marwa?” He said, “Yes, as it was of the ceremonies of the days of the Pre-lslamic period of ignorance, till Allah revealed: ‘Verily! (The two mountains) As-Safa and Al-Marwa are among the symbols of Allah. It is therefore no sin for him who performs the pilgrimage to the Ka’ba, or performs ‘Umra, to perform Tawaf between them.’ ” (2.158)
Sahih Bukhari 2:26:710
This Hadith states that Muhammad adopted this pagan ceremony from the pre-Islamic “period of ignorance” and justified it with yet another convenient Qur’anic revelation.
A tradition also exists about Hagar running between these two mounts in search of water until she found the Zamzam Well."
According to a hadith in Bukhari, this was originally a pagan pre-Islamic practice. Muhammad retained it for Islam, sanctioning it with yet another Qur’anic revelation.
“Behold! Safa and Marwa are among the Symbols of Allah. So if those who visit the House in the Season or at other times, should compass them round, it is no sin in them. And if any one obeyeth his own impulse to good,- be sure that Allah is He Who recogniseth and
‘Asim: I asked Anas bin Malik:
“Did you use to dislike to perform Tawaf between Safa and Marwa?” He said, “Yes, as it was of the ceremonies of the days of the Pre-lslamic period of ignorance, till Allah revealed: ‘Verily! (The two mountains) As-Safa and Al-Marwa are among the symbols of Allah. It is therefore no sin for him who performs the pilgrimage to the Ka’ba, or performs ‘Umra, to perform Tawaf between them.’ ” (2.158)
Sahih Bukhari 2:26:710
This Hadith states that Muhammad adopted this pagan ceremony from the pre-Islamic “period of ignorance” and justified it with yet another convenient Qur’anic revelation.
A tradition also exists about Hagar running between these two mounts in search of water until she found the Zamzam Well."
Q&A
"Pagans prior to Islam would pray five times per day towards Mecca.
(The Encyclopedia of Islam (edited by Eliade) P. 303FF)
Muhammad retained for Islam, this pre-Islamic practice, sanctioning it with a story of a night trip to heaven on a mythical beast called al-
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Zoroastrians are also expected to recite their (kusti) prayers at least five times a day having first cleansed themselves by washing (ablution). These Islamic practices show Zoroastrian influence.
(Bowker, John, The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions, New York, Oxford University Press, 1997, pp. 763-764)
But, contrary to the Muslims, Zoroastrians pray in the direction of the Sun (at each time of the day) and/or of the Holy Fire (if they are in a Fire Temple).
(Joseph H. Peterson – GAHS (prayers for each period of the day) – Avesta Zoroastrian Archives, accessed May 27, 2011)."
Q&A
Requirement of Ihram
"Ihram is a state a Muslim enters into for his pilgrimage to Mecca. It involves a series of procedures like ritual washing, wearing ‘Ihram
Narrated ‘Urwa:
"I asked ‘Aisha : …But in fact, this divine inspiration was revealed concerning the Ansar who used to assume “Ihram” for worshipping an idol called “Manat” which they used to worship at a place called Al-Mushallal before they embraced Islam, and whoever assumed Ihram (for the idol), would consider it not right to perform Tawaf between Safa and Marwa.
Sahih Bukhari 2:26:706."
Q&A
"In the Islamic ritual of Tawaf, Muslims go around the Kaaba 7 times. In the Hindu marriage rite of Satphere, the married couple goes around a fire also 7 times. In both of these rituals, religious phrases are repeated during the circumambulation.
Circumambulation is to go in circles around a particular object. In
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Judaism and Christianity (the religions of those who are considered People of the Book) do not practice ritual circumambulation to please God.
Two of the other major faiths with similar practice are Hinduism and Buddhism (called Parikrama). Both of these faiths are accused by traditional Islam of “paganism” and practicing idolatry."
Q&A
"According to the hadith, the Ka’aba in Mecca was a center of idol-worship, with the Ka’aba housing 360 idols.
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Masud:
The Prophet entered Mecca and (at that time) there were three hundred-and-sixty idols around the Ka’aba. He started stabbing the idols with a stick he had in his hand and reciting: “Truth (Islam) has come and Falsehood (disbelief) has vanished.”
Sahih Bukhari 3:43:658
The Prophet Muhammad discarded the 360 idols but retained for Islam, the Ka’aba with its Black Stone, justifying it with the claim that Abraham and Ishmael originally constructed it.
The Quran says Abraham built it:
Remember We made the House a place of assembly for men and a place of safety, and take ye the station of Abraham as a place of prayer; and We covenanted with Abraham and Isma’il, that they should sanctify My House for those who compass it round or use it as a retreat, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).
Quran 2:125
One hadith claims Muhammad says it was built 40 years prior to the Temple at Jerusalem:
Narrated Abu Dhaar:
I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Which mosque was built first?” He replied, “Al-Masjid-ul-Haram.” I asked, “Which (was built) next?” He replied, “Al-Masjid-ul-Aqs-a (i.e. Jerusalem).” I asked, “What was the period in between them? He replied, forty years.
Sahih Bukhari 4:55:636
The Temple at Jerusalem was built by Solomon around 958-951 BC. This implies that if Muhammad were to be believed, the Ka’aba must have been built approximately 998-991 BC. But Abraham is alleged to have lived around 2000 BC so both Abraham and Ishmael would have been dead by then.
*The traditions of the hadith and the Quran are mutually contradictory and do not align with other traditions about Abraham and Ishmael.
Rather than being the creation of Abraham, Egyptian Professor and authority on Arabic literature, Dr. Taha Husayn, said the following:
“The case for this episode is very obvious because it is of recent date and came into vogue just before the rise of Islam. Islam exploited it for religious reasons.“
(As quoted in Mizan al-Islam by Anwar al-Jundi, p. 170)
Also, according to a sahih hadith of Bukhari, Muhammad even considered dismantling it:
Narrated Aswad:
Ibn Az-Zubair said to me, “Aisha used to tell you secretly a number of things. What did she tell you about the Ka’ba?” I replied, “She told me that once the Prophet said, ‘O ‘Aisha! Had not your people been still close to the pre-Islamic period of ignorance (infidelity)! I would have dismantled the Ka’ba and would have made two doors in it; one for entrance and the other for exit.” Later on Ibn Az-Zubair did the same.
Sahih Bukhari 1:3:128
Worship at the Ka’aba and the kissing of the Black Stone are according to the Islamic tradition one of many practices adopted from the 7th-century paganism of the Meccans and repackaged within monotheistic Islam."
Q&A
Veneration of the Black-stone
"The pagan gods of pre-Islamic Arabia were worshiped in the form of rectangular stones or rocks.
For example, the pagan deity ‘Al-Lat’, mentioned in Quran 53:19,
and believed by pre-Islamic pagans to be one of the daughters of Allah, was once venerated as a cubic rock at Ta’if in Saudi Arabia according to Islamic sources on the subject written after the rise of Islam.
An edifice was built over the rock to mark it apart as a house of worship. Al-lat stood in al-Ta’if, and was more recent than Manah. She was a cubic rock beside which a certain Jew used to prepare his barley porridge (sawiq). Her custody was in the hands of the banu-‘Attab ibn-Malik of the Thayif, who had built an edifice over her.
She is the idol which Allah mentioned when He said, “Have you seen Al-lat and al-‘Uzza (Surah 53:19)?
(The Book of Idols, p 14; (translation of Kitab Al-Asnam ) by Hisham Ibn-Al-Kalbi, 819 CE, translated by Nabih Amin Faris, 1952)
Kitab Al-Asnam (The Book of Idols), p 14
The Black Stone seems to have been one among many stones and idols venerated at the Ka’aba by the pre-Islamic pagans of Arabia. The Black Stone was kissed during pre-Islamic pagan worship. Though Muhammad is asserted to have thrown out 360 other objects at the Ka’aba, he retained this Black Stone and continued the practice of kissing it. It is this same stone that the pre-Islamic pagans once kissed, that Muslims kiss today when visiting Mecca.
Narrated by Abu Raja Al-Utaridi:
We used to worship stones, and when we found a better stone than the first one, we would throw the first one and take the latter, but if we could not get a stone then we would collect some earth (i.e. soil) and then bring a sheep and milk that sheep over it, and perform the Tawaf (circumnavigation) around it.
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 59, Number 661."
"The pagan gods of pre-Islamic Arabia were worshiped in the form of rectangular stones or rocks.
For example, the pagan deity ‘Al-Lat’, mentioned in Quran 53:19,
An edifice was built over the rock to mark it apart as a house of worship. Al-lat stood in al-Ta’if, and was more recent than Manah. She was a cubic rock beside which a certain Jew used to prepare his barley porridge (sawiq). Her custody was in the hands of the banu-‘Attab ibn-Malik of the Thayif, who had built an edifice over her.
She is the idol which Allah mentioned when He said, “Have you seen Al-lat and al-‘Uzza (Surah 53:19)?
(The Book of Idols, p 14; (translation of Kitab Al-Asnam ) by Hisham Ibn-Al-Kalbi, 819 CE, translated by Nabih Amin Faris, 1952)
Kitab Al-Asnam (The Book of Idols), p 14
The Black Stone seems to have been one among many stones and idols venerated at the Ka’aba by the pre-Islamic pagans of Arabia. The Black Stone was kissed during pre-Islamic pagan worship. Though Muhammad is asserted to have thrown out 360 other objects at the Ka’aba, he retained this Black Stone and continued the practice of kissing it. It is this same stone that the pre-Islamic pagans once kissed, that Muslims kiss today when visiting Mecca.
Narrated by Abu Raja Al-Utaridi:
We used to worship stones, and when we found a better stone than the first one, we would throw the first one and take the latter, but if we could not get a stone then we would collect some earth (i.e. soil) and then bring a sheep and milk that sheep over it, and perform the Tawaf (circumnavigation) around it.
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 59, Number 661."
Q&A
"Hubal was the moon god worshiped at the Ka’aba. The crescent moon was Hubal’s symbol. Muhammad’s pagan grandfather Abd al-Muttalib almost slaughtered Muhammad’s father Abdallah at the Ka’aba, to Hubal.
From Ibn Hisham:
An arrow showed that it was ‘Abdullah to be sacrificed. ‘Abdul-
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(Ibn Hisham 1/151-155; Rahmat-ul-lil’alameen 2/89,90)
The Ka’aba, Islam’s holiest shrine, has been a place where such pagan human sacrifices and slaughters have taken place for Hubal. When Muhammad founded Islam, according to Islamic sources he discarded Hubal and all the other pagan god.
At the Battle of Badr, his enemy Abu Sufyan praised the high position of moon god Hubal, saying “O Hubal, be high”. Muhammad asked his followers to yell back, “Allah is higher”.
“…After that he started reciting cheerfully, “O Hubal, be high! On that the Prophet said (to his companions), “Why don’t you answer him back?” They said, “O Allah’s Apostle What shall we say?” He said, “Say, Allah is Higher and more Sublime.”…” –
(Sahih Bukhari 4:52:276)
*This is supposed to be the origin of the commonly uttered phrase “Allahu Akbar” in Arabic."
Q&A
