Understanding the Islam Religion

Islam
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Islam
In An Outsider’s Perspective, Rita George-Tvrtković explains Islam by considering some of the prevailing misconceptions. The author demonstrates how individuals assume that “Arab equals Muslim and Muslim equals Arab (George-Tvrtković, 2017, p. 80). The author disputes the claim by noting that only about 20% of the world’s Muslims are in the Middle East and North Africa. Further, there are also significant populations of Muslims living in Western countries. The author then focuses on the historical approaches to Islam. Many individuals who know the history of Islam consider it through the narrow lenses of “crusades, colonialism, and terrorism” (George-Tvrtković, 2017, p. 81). However, history demonstrates that some famous Christian leaders have viewed Islam from a different angle. For instance, St. Francis of Assisi approached Islam peaceably. Similarly, Roccoldo da Montecroce wrote, “praise-filled descriptions of seven Muslim practices he dubbed ‘works of perfection’” (George-Tvrtković , 2017, p. 82). George-Tvrtković demonstrates that Islam entails submission to God and the proper response of humans to him. Islam rests on five major pillars: the profession of Faith (shahada), prayer (salat), alms (zakat), fasting (sawm), and Pilgrimage (hajj). These pillars “specify duties among incumbent upon individual Muslims” (George-Tvrtković , 2017, p. 82). The Qur’an remains the most authoritative source of Islam belief and practice. Muslims consider Qur’an as the uncorrupted word of God. Islam remains monotheistic and denounces idolatry and polytheism.
In this chapter, I have learned that Arab does not equal Muslim. I have discovered that Islam is found in many parts of the world outside the Arab region. Muslims are all over the world, including Western nations. While Islam originated from the Arab region, it has spread to other parts of the globe. I am now convinced that it is wrong to equate Muslim with A...