The Main Sects of Islam
Islam has two major sects and many sub-sects. The two major sects are Sunni and Shia. These two major sects of Islam are formed on the basis of the successors to Mohammed.
The Muslim Controversy
Last year I went to speak in a one day retreat arranged for the engineering college students at Keelakarai. Keelakarai is a predominantly Muslim area and the engineering college is run by a Muslim management.
Proof for the Historicity of the Crucifixion
Islam has two major sects and many sub-sects. The two major sects are Sunni and Shia. These two major sects of Islam are formed on the basis of the successors to Mohammed.
Quran
The Quran is the sacred book of the Muslims. It is considered as the word of God and infallible. The Word ‘Quran’ in Arabic means ‘to recite’. This is because in AD 610 Mohammed received revelations in a cave in Mount Hira
The Five Pillars duties of Islam
All Muslims are expected to practise the following five main religious practices. They are called as the five pillars or the five duties of Islam.
Obedience to God’s Commission
Sir Ernest Shackleton, the great explorer of North Pole, gave the advertisement, “Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness and constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success”.
Commission to Reach the Unreachable!
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple… Then I said: ‘Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts’.
The doctrines of Islam
One God-Allah: Allah is the one true God. Muslims deny the trinity and the Lordship of the Lord Jesus Christ. Allah is omnipotent, omniscient and absolutely sovereign. God is responsible for all that happens in the world.
The Origin of Castes
The Hindus believe that the four castes came out from the body of Brahma. Here are the four castes and their origin.
Brahmin or high caste: Originated from the head of Brahma.
Kshatriya or soldiers: Came out from the shoulders of Brahma.
Vaisyas or Business people: Originated from the thigh of Brahma.
Sudras or labourers: Came out from the feet of Brahma.