{"title":"C. Mofty","author":{"id":2146,"name":"C. Mofty","slug":"c_mofty","image":"\/uploads\/users\/non-profile.jpg","role":"Author","about":"","promote":0,"status":1,"created_at":"2014-08-05T08:00:00.000000Z","updated_at":"2014-08-05T08:00:00.000000Z","language_id":1,"parent_id":null,"i18ns":[],"image_asset":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/uploads\/users\/non-profile.jpg","get_name":"C. Mofty"},"books":{"current_page":1,"data":[{"title":"Evidence for God","slug":"evidence-for-god-1432798922","image":"\/uploads\/books\/Evidence for God.jpg","read_counter":14217,"is_volume":0,"created_at":"2014-08-20T08:00:00.000000Z","category_id":9,"volume_id":null,"id":9534,"volume_count":null,"volume_title":null,"category":{"id":9,"title":"The Existence of God","created_at":"2017-08-17T19:18:15.000000Z","updated_at":"2018-02-12T22:25:31.000000Z","slug":"The-Existence-of-God","i18ns":[],"get_title":"The Existence of God"},"authors":[{"id":2146,"name":"C. Mofty","slug":"c_mofty","image":"\/uploads\/users\/non-profile.jpg","role":"Author","about":"","promote":0,"status":1,"created_at":"2014-08-05T08:00:00.000000Z","updated_at":"2014-08-05T08:00:00.000000Z","language_id":1,"parent_id":null,"pivot":{"book_id":9534,"author_id":2146},"i18ns":[],"image_asset":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/uploads\/users\/non-profile.jpg","get_name":"C. Mofty"}],"image_asset":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/uploads\/books\/Evidence for God.jpg","pdf_asset":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/","word_asset":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/","author_id":"","author_name":"C. Mofty","book_title":"Evidence for God","category_slug":"The-Existence-of-God","category_name":"The Existence of God"}],"first_page_url":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/arm\/api\/authors\/2146?books_page=1","from":1,"last_page":1,"last_page_url":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/arm\/api\/authors\/2146?books_page=1","links":[{"url":null,"label":"« Previous","page":null,"active":false},{"url":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/arm\/api\/authors\/2146?books_page=1","label":"1","page":1,"active":true},{"url":null,"label":"Next »","page":null,"active":false}],"next_page_url":null,"path":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/arm\/api\/authors\/2146","per_page":25,"prev_page_url":null,"to":1,"total":1},"videos":{"current_page":1,"data":[],"first_page_url":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/arm\/api\/authors\/2146?videos_page=1","from":null,"last_page":1,"last_page_url":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/arm\/api\/authors\/2146?videos_page=1","links":[{"url":null,"label":"« Previous","page":null,"active":false},{"url":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/arm\/api\/authors\/2146?videos_page=1","label":"1","page":1,"active":true},{"url":null,"label":"Next »","page":null,"active":false}],"next_page_url":null,"path":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/arm\/api\/authors\/2146","per_page":25,"prev_page_url":null,"to":null,"total":0},"audios":{"current_page":1,"data":[],"first_page_url":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/arm\/api\/authors\/2146?audios_page=1","from":null,"last_page":1,"last_page_url":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/arm\/api\/authors\/2146?audios_page=1","links":[{"url":null,"label":"« Previous","page":null,"active":false},{"url":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/arm\/api\/authors\/2146?audios_page=1","label":"1","page":1,"active":true},{"url":null,"label":"Next »","page":null,"active":false}],"next_page_url":null,"path":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/arm\/api\/authors\/2146","per_page":25,"prev_page_url":null,"to":null,"total":0},"articles":{"current_page":1,"data":[{"id":603,"title":"Core Values of Islam","slug":"core-values-of-islam","word":"\/uploads\/articles\/en-Core Values of Islam.docx","pdf":"\/uploads\/articles\/en-Core Values of Islam.pdf","mime_type":null,"type":"node","path":"\/nodes\/view\/type:article\/slug:core-values-of-islam","hint":"","body":"

Core Values of Islam<\/span><\/h1>\r\n

\"\"
<\/span><\/h1>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

It is difficult to limit all of Islam into a few core values.  Nevertheless, the most important beliefs and religious practices were identified by Prophet Muhammad himself.  Thus, there is general agreement on them among all Muslims.  It provides an interesting comparison since modern Jews and Christians do not have similar uniformity in their belief systems.  Christians, for example, have numerous creeds[1]<\/a> and Jews do not have any agreed upon beliefs.  Modern Jews mostly agree over the 613 commandments that Maimonides, a Jewish rabbi from Muslim Spain, recorded and classified in the 12th century.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Additionally, Muslim scholars, past and present, have also identified and in certain cases agreed on the core teachings of the Quran, of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, and the ‘essentials’ of Islamic Law (Shariah<\/em>).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Core Islamic Beliefs: Six Articles of Faith<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

More than a billion Muslims share a common set of fundamental beliefs that are described as “Articles of Faith.” These articles of faith form the foundation of Islamic belief system.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

1.  Belief in One God: The most important teaching of Islam is that only God is to be served and worshipped.  Also, the biggest sin in Islam is to worship other beings with God.  In fact, Muslims believe that it is the only sin that God does not forgive if a person dies before repenting from it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

2.  Belief in Angels: God created unseen beings called angels who work tirelessly to administer His kingdom in full obedience.  The angels surround us at all times, each has a duty; some record our words and deeds.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

3.    Belief in Prophets of God: Muslims believe that God communicates His guidance through human prophets sent to every nation.  These prophets start with Adam and include Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, peace be upon them.  The main message of all the prophets has always been that there is only One true God and He alone is worthy of being supplicated to and worshipped.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

4.    Belief in Revealed Books of God: Muslims believe that God revealed His wisdom and instructions through ‘books’ to some of the prophets like the Psalms, Torah, and the Gospel.  Over time, however, the original teachings of these books got distorted or lost.  Muslims believe the Quran is God’s final revelation revealed to Prophet Muhammad and has been fully preserved.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

5.    Belief in Day of Judgment: The life of this world and all that is in it will come to an end on an appointed day.  At that time, every person will be raised from the dead.  God will judge each person individually, according to his faith and his good and bad actions.  God will show mercy and fairness in judgment.  According to Islamic teachings, those who believe in God and perform good deeds will be eternally rewarded in Heaven.  Those who reject faith in God will be eternally punished in the fire of Hell.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

6.    Belief in Destiny and Divine Decree: Muslims believe that since God is the Sustainer of all life, nothing happens except by His Will and with His full knowledge.  This belief does not contradict the idea of free will.  God does not force us, our choices are known to God beforehand because His knowledge is complete.  This recognition helps the believer through difficulties and hardships.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Core Religious Practice of Islam: The Five “Pillars” of Islam<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

In Islam, worship is part of daily life and is not limited to mere rituals.  The formal acts of worship are known as the five “pillars” of Islam.  The five pillars of Islam are the declaration of faith, prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

1.    Declaration of Faith: The “Declaration of Faith” is the statement, “La ilaha illa Allah wa Muhammad<\/em> Rasul-ullah”<\/em>, meaning “There is no deity worthy of being worship except God (Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God”).  The Declaration of Faith is more than just a statement; it must be shown with one's actions.  To convert to the faith of Islam, a person has to say this statement.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

2.    Daily Prayer: Prayer is a method by which a Muslim connects to God and gathers spiritual strength and peace of mind.  Muslims perform five formal prayers a day. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

3.    Zakah<\/em>: A type of charity.  Muslims recognize that all wealth is a blessing from God, and certain responsibilities are required in return.  In Islam, it is the duty of the wealthy to help the poor and needy. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

4.    Fast of Ramadan<\/em>: Once each year, Muslims are commanded to fast for an entire month from dawn to sunset.  The period of intense spiritual devotion is known as the fast of Ramadan<\/em> in which no food, drink and sex is allowed during the fast.  After sunset one can enjoy these things.  During this month Muslims practice self-control and focus on prayers and devotion.  During the fast, Muslims learn to sympathize with those in the world who have little to eat.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

5.    The Hajj<\/em> Pilgrimage to Mecca: Every Muslim strives to make once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to the sacred sites in Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia.  It is the most intense spiritual experience for a Muslim.  Typically, 2-3 million perform hajj<\/em> every year.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Core of the Quran: Surah <\/em>(Chapter) <\/em>al-Fatihah<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

Scholars consider Surah<\/em> al-Fatihah, the first chapter of the Quran, to be the core of the Quran.  It is recited in every formal prayer in the Arabic language.  The translation follows:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

“I begin with the name of God, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.   All praise and thanks are for God, the Lord of the worlds.  The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.  You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help.  Guide us to the Straight Path (of Islam), the path of those You have blessed, not the path of those who have incurred Your wrath nor of those who have gone astray.”<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n

To listen the recitation of Surah al-Fatiha click here<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n

Core Teachings of Prophet Muhammad<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

Classical scholars of Islam have condensed the teachings of Prophet Muhammad into a few statements.  These comprehensive statements touch every aspect of our lives.  Some of them are:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

1)    Actions are judged by the intention behind them.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

2)    God is Pure and does not accept anything unless it is pure and God has commanded the faithful with what He commanded the prophets.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

3)    Part of a person’s good observance of Islam is to leave aside what does not concern him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

4)    A person cannot be a complete believer unless he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

5)    One should not harm himself or others.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

6)    Don’t let your focus in this life be to amass worldly gain and God will love you.  Don’t be concerned with what people have, and they will love you.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Core of Islamic Law or Shariah<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\r\n

The core of Islamic Law is preservation of:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

1)    Religion<\/span><\/p>\r\n

2)    Life<\/span><\/p>\r\n

3)    Family<\/span><\/p>\r\n

4)    Mind<\/span><\/p>\r\n

5)    Wealth<\/span><\/p>\r\n

6)    Some contemporary scholars suggest either justice or liberty to be the sixth category.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In the vision of Islam, they are known as “essentials” because they are considered essential to human welfare.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In conclude, if someone were to ask, what is the core of Islam in the fewest possible words, the answer would be, “it is within the word Islam itself: to serve, worship, and lovingly submit to God.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

\r\n
\r\n<\/div>\r\n

Footnotes:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n

[1]<\/a> www.creeds.net<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>","excerpt":"","terms":null,"visibility_roles":"","comment_status":1,"comment_count":0,"read_counter":20449,"lft":977,"rght":980,"promote":1,"sticky":0,"status":1,"publish_start":null,"publish_end":null,"created_at":"2014-08-05T22:29:00.000000Z","updated_at":"2026-04-03T06:38:21.000000Z","language_id":1,"user_id":7,"author_id":2146,"publisher_id":0,"category_id":1,"parent_id":null,"author_name":"C. Mofty","category_name":"Introducing Islam","category_slug":"Introducing-islam","get_date":"2014-08-05","pdf_asset":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/uploads\/articles\/en-Core Values of Islam.pdf","word_asset":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/uploads\/articles\/en-Core Values of Islam.docx"},{"id":604,"title":"Kernwerte des Islam","slug":"kernwerte-des-islam","word":"\/uploads\/articles\/de-Core Values of Islam.docx","pdf":"\/uploads\/articles\/de-Core Values of Islam.pdf","mime_type":null,"type":"node","path":"\/nodes\/view\/type:article\/slug:kernwerte-des-islam","hint":"","body":"

Kernwerte des Islam<\/span><\/h1>\r\n

 \"\"<\/p>\r\n

Es ist schwierig, den gesamten Islam auf wenige Kernwerte zu begrenzen.  Nichtsdestotrotz wurden die wichtigsten Glaubensgrundlagen durch den Propheten Muhammad selbst gekennzeichnet.  Daher gibt es hier eine allgemeine Übereinstimmung bei allen Muslimen.  Es liefert einen interessanten Vergleich, denn die modernen Juden und Christen können keine ähnliche Uniformität in ihren Glaubenssystemen vorweisen.  Bei den Christen beispielsweise gibt es zahlreiche Konfessionen[1]<\/a>  und die Juden haben überhaupt keine Übereinstimmung über den Glauben.  Moderne Juden stimmen hauptsächlich über die 613 Befehle überein, die Maimonides, ein jüdischer Rabbi aus dem muslimischen Spanien, im 12.Jahrhundert berichtete und klassifizierte.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Zusätzlich haben muslimische Gelehrte in der Vergangenheit und in der Gegenwart auch die Kernlehren des Qur´an, des Propheten Muhammad, Gottes Segen und Frieden seien auf ihm, und das ´Wesentliche´ des islamischen Gesetzes (Scharia<\/em>) identifiziert und sich in bestimmten Fällen geeinigt. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Kernlehren des Islam: Sechs Artikel des Glaubens<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

Über eine Milliarde Menschen teilen einen gemeinsamen, fundamentalen Glauben, der in „Artikel des Glaubens\" unterteilt wird.  Diese Artikel des Glaubens bilden das Fundament des islamischen Glaubenssystems.  <\/span><\/p>\r\n

1.  Der Glaube an Einen Gott: Die wichtigste Lehre des Islam ist, dass nur Gott gedient und angebetet werden darf.  Die größte Sünde im Islam ist, andere Wesen zusammen mit Gott anzubeten.  Tatsächlich glauben Muslime, dass diese die einzige Sünde ist, die Gott nicht vergibt, wenn eine Person stirbt, bevor sie dafür bereut hat. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

2.  Der Glaube an die Engel: Gott hat unsichtbare Wesen geschaffen, die unermüdlich arbeiten, um Sein Königreich in vollem Gehorsam zu verwalten.  Die Engel umgeben uns jederzeit, jeder hat seine Pflicht, einige berichten unsere Worte und Taten.  <\/span><\/p>\r\n

3.    Der Glaube an die Propheten Gottes: Muslime glauben, dass Gott Seine Rechtleitung jeder Nation durch menschlicher Propheten mitgeteilt hat.  Diese Propheten beginnen mit Adam und enthalten Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus und Muhammad, Friede sei mit ihnen.  Die Hauptbotschaft aller Propheten war schon immer, dass es nur Einen Gott gibt und Er alleine verdient es, angefleht und angebetet zu werden. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

4.    Der Glaube an die offenbarten Bücher Gottes: Muslime glauben, dass Gott Seine Weisheit und Anweisungen durch ´Bücher´ an einige Seiner Propheten offenbart hat, wie die Psalter, die Torah und das Evangelium.  Mit der Zeit allerdings wurden die ursprünglichen Lehren dieser Bücher verdreht oder gingen verloren.  Muslime glauben, der Qur´an ist Gottes letzte Offenbarung an den Propheten Muhammad, und er wurde vollständig bewahrt.  <\/span><\/p>\r\n

5.    Der Glaube an den Tag des Gerichts: Das Leben in dieser Welt und alles, was sich darin befindet, wird an einem festgelegten Tag zu Ende gehen.  Zu jener Zeit wird jede Person von den Toten wieder auferweckt.  Gott wird über jede Person einzeln richten, ihrem Glauben und ihren guten und schlechten Taten entsprechend.  Gott wird bei Seinem Urteil Gnade und Gerechtigkeit walten lassen.  Nach den islamischen Lehren werden diejenigen, die an Gott glauben und gute Taten verrichten, ewig im Himmel belohnt.  Diejenigen, die den Glauben an Gott verweigern, werden ewig im Feuer der Hölle bestraft. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

6.    Der Glaube an das Schicksal und den Göttlichen Erlass: Muslime glauben, da Gott der Erhalter allen Lebens ist, geschieht nichts, als durch Seinen Willen und mit Seinem vollständiges Wissen.  Dieser Glaube widerspricht nicht der Vorstellung vom freien Willen.  Gott zwingt uns nicht, unsere Wahl ist Gott von vornherein bekannt, denn Sein Wissen ist vollständig.  Diese Erkenntnis hilft dem Gläubigen durch Schwierigkeiten und Not.  <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Religiöse Kernpraktiken im Islam: Die fünf \"Säulen\" des Islam<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

Im Islam ist die Anbetung ein Teil des alltäglichen Lebens, und sie beschränkt sich nicht auf bloße Rituale.  Die formalen Akte des Gottesdienstes sind als die fünf „Säulen\" des Islam bekannt.  Die fünf Säulen des Islam sind das Glaubensbekenntnis, Gebet, Fasten, Almosen und Pilgern.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

1.    Das Glaubensbekenntnis: Das \"Glaubensbekenntnis\" ist die Aussage: \"La ilaha illa Allah wa Muhammad<\/em> Rasul-ullah\"<\/em>, mit der Bedeutung: \"Es gibt keinen Gott, der würdig ist, angebetet zu werden, außer Gott (Allah) und Muhammad ist der Gesandte (Prophet) Gottes.\"  Das Glaubensbekenntnis ist mehr als nur eine Aussage; es muss sich in den Taten wiederspiegeln. Um zum Islam zu konvertieren, muss man dieses Bekenntnis aussprechen.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

2.    Das tägliche Gebet: Das Gebet ist eine Methode, durch die ein Muslim Verbindung zu Gott aufnimmt und spirituelle Stärke und inneren Frieden findet.  Muslime verrichten fünf Gebete am Tag.    <\/span><\/p>\r\n

3.    Zakah<\/em>: Eine Art Almosen.  Muslime erkennen an, dass Reichtum ein Segen von Gott ist und bestimmte Verantwortlichkeiten im Gegenzug erforderlich macht.  Im Islam ist es die Pflicht der Wohlhabenden, den Armen und Bedürftigen zu helfen.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

4.    Das Fasten im Ramadhan<\/em>: Einmal in jedem Jahr wird den Muslimen befohlen, einen ganzen Monat von der Morgendämmerung bis zum Sonnenuntergang zu fasten.  Die Periode intensiver spiritueller Hingabe ist als das Fasten vomRamadhan<\/em> bekannt, in dem kein Essen, Trinken und Geschlechtsverkehr während des Fastens erlaubt sind.  Nach Sonnenuntergang kann man diese Dinge genießen.  Während dieses Monats praktizieren Muslime Selbstkontrolle und konzentrieren sich auf Gebete und Hingabe.  Beim Fasten lernen Muslime, Mitleid mit denen auf der Welt zu haben, die immer wenig zum Essen haben.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

5.    Die Hajj<\/em> Pilgerreise nach Mekka: Jeder Muslim strebt danach, einmal im Leben die Heiligen Stätten in Mekka, im heutigen Saudi Arabien, zu besuchen.  Es ist eine sehr intensive spirituelle Erfahrung für einen Muslim.  In der Regel machen 2-3 Millionen jedes Jahr Ha\u01e7\u01e7<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Der Kern des Qur´an: Sura <\/em>(Kapitel) <\/em>al-Fatiha<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

Gelehrte betrachten Sura<\/em> al-Fatihah, das erste Kapitel des Qur´an, als das Kernstück des Qur´an.  Es wird in jedem formellen Gebet auf arabischer Sprache rezitiert.  Die Übersetzung lautet folgendermaßen:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\"Im Namen Gottes, des Allerbarmers, des Barmherzigen!Alles Lob gebührt Gott, dem Herrn der Welten dem Allerbarmer, dem Barmherzigen, dem Herrscher am Tage des Gerichts! <\/strong> Dir (allein) dienen wir, und Dich (allein) bitten wir um Hilfe.<\/strong> <\/strong>Führe uns den geraden Weg (des Islam) den Weg derer, denen Du Gnade erwiesen hast, nicht (den Weg) derer, die (Deinen) Zorn erregt haben, und nicht (den Weg) der Irregehenden.<\/strong>\"<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n

Um die Rezitation von Sura al-Fatiha zu hören klick hier<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n

Kernlehren des Propheten Muhammad<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

Klassische Gelehrte des Islam haben die Lehren des Propheten Muhammad zu einigen wenigen Aussagen zusammengefasst.  Diese umfassenden Aussagen berühren jeden Aspekt unserer Leben.  Einige sind:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

1)    Die Taten werden nach der Absicht dahinter bewertet.  <\/span><\/p>\r\n

2)    Gott ist Rein und akzeptiert nichts, außer wenn es rein ist und Gott hat den Gläubigen anbefohlen, was Er auch den Propheten befohlen hat. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

3)    Ein Teil der guten Einhaltung des Islam einer Person ist, das beiseite zu lassen, was sie nicht betrifft.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

4)    Eine Person kann kein vollständiger Gläubiger sein, bis sie für ihren Bruder liebt, was sie für sich selbst liebt.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

5)    Man sollte sich und anderen keinen Schaden zufügen.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

6)    Lass es nicht zu deinem Ziel im Leben werden, weltlichen Gewinn anzuhäufen und Gott wird dich lieben.  Sei nicht darum besorgt, was die Leute haben, und sie werden dich lieben.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Kern des Islamischen Gesetzes oder Scharia<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\r\n

Den Kern des islamischen Gesetzes bildet die Bewahrung von:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

1)    Religion.  <\/span><\/p>\r\n

2)    Leben.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

3)    Familie.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

4)    Verstand.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

5)    Reichtum.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

6)    Einige zeitgenössische Gelehrte schlagen vor, dass sowohl Gerechtigkeit als auch Freiheit in die sechste Kategorie gehören. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Aus der Sicht des Islam sind sie als die ´Wesentlichen´ bekannt, weil sie für das menschlicher Wohlergehen als essentiell betrachtet werden.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Wir fassen zusammen, wenn jemand gebeten würde, den Kern des Islam mit den wenigsten möglichen Worten zusammenzufassen, dann wäre die Antwort: \"es ist in dem Wort ´Islam´ selbst: dienen, anbeten und sich Gott liebend hingeben.\" <\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

\r\n
\r\n<\/div>\r\n

Fußnoten:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n

[1]<\/a> www.creeds.net<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>","excerpt":"","terms":null,"visibility_roles":"","comment_status":1,"comment_count":0,"read_counter":19177,"lft":978,"rght":979,"promote":1,"sticky":0,"status":1,"publish_start":null,"publish_end":null,"created_at":"2014-08-05T22:33:00.000000Z","updated_at":"2026-04-03T13:20:27.000000Z","language_id":7,"user_id":7,"author_id":2146,"publisher_id":0,"category_id":1,"parent_id":603,"author_name":"C. Mofty","category_name":"Introducing Islam","category_slug":"Introducing-islam","get_date":"2014-08-05","pdf_asset":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/uploads\/articles\/de-Core Values of Islam.pdf","word_asset":"http:\/\/www.islamland.com\/uploads\/articles\/de-Core Values of Islam.docx"},{"id":784,"title":"God: Abba or Rabb?","slug":"god-abba-or-rabb","word":"\/uploads\/articles\/en-Abba or Rabb.docx","pdf":"\/uploads\/articles\/en-Abba or Rabb.pdf","mime_type":null,"type":"node","path":"\/nodes\/view\/type:article\/slug:god-abba-or-rabb","hint":"","body":"

God: Abba<\/em> or Rabb<\/em>?<\/span><\/h1>\r\n

\"GodAbbaorRabb.jpg\"IslamReligion.com<\/span><\/h1>\r\n

Abba<\/em> of the Bible<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

Christians refer to God as Father in their creeds, prayers, and liturgy.  God, the Father, is seen as one of the three persons of Trinity.  They believe that the Father has a Son, Jesus.  Christians think they alone have a personal relationship, both with the Father and the Son.  Abba<\/em> is said to be the transliteration of the Aramaic word for father.  It is always used as a direct address to God the Father.  It appears three times in the entire NT and only once in a gospel.  In Mark 14:36 (“Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee”<\/em>).  The other two occurrences are in the letters of Paul, in Rom 8:15 and Gal 4:6.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

A great debate exists between Jewish and Christian writers about the nature of God as a father or abba<\/em> (the Aramaic word for father).  The debate started with what a German Lutheran scholar, Joachim Jeremias<\/a>, wrote in his book, “The Prayers of Jesus,” translated by John Bowden.  His essential argument was repeated in slightly modified forms by most Christians.  Edward Schillebeeckx<\/a>made it popular among Roman Catholics in his book, “Jesus.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

What Jeremias basically stated was that, firstly, “abba” represents a special use by Jesus that was central to his teaching; second, that for Jesus it expressed a special kind of intimacy and tenderness deriving from the origin of the word ‘abba’ from baby talk; third, that it was distinct from the practice of Judaism.  His point was that Jesus referring to God as Abba is not derived from the OT or from his Palestinian Jewish background.  Instead it represents his unique relationship with the “Father.” Therefore, some Christian writers went on to say that God can be referred to as ‘daddy,’ most saying it is too informal and lacks respects.  Interestingly, feminist Christian writers had a serious problem with the idea of God as a male and have written several critical books.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

While most in contemporary Church simply repeat the above points and base popular theology on it,[1]<\/a> it has been severely criticized.  Mary Rose D’Angelo highlights evidence against it in her article ‘Abba and “Father”: Imperial Theology and the Jesus Traditions’[2]<\/a> Several Jewish authors like Alon Goshen-Gottstein[3]<\/a> and Gerald Friedlander[4]<\/a> have brought evidence that rabbis and Jews have used ‘abba’ to refer to God.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

S.  Vernon McCasland of the University of Virginia wrote, ‘The expression “Abba, Father” occurs just three times in the New Testament…(it) presents a challenge because of the way it has defied the translators from the very beginning right up to our own day.  The following 27 translations which I have consulted illustrate the problem…Almost without exception it has been simply transliterated.  Yet Abba is not an English word, nor is it Latin, German, French, or Spanish; and no reader in most cases, unless he happens to be a Semitist, could do more than to make a vague guess as to what it means.  It strikes the uninformed reader like the unintelligible formula of some magical incantation.  Most of the translators have left it as it were charged with a deadly mana.”[5]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n

Rabb<\/em> of the Quran<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

When we turn to the Quran, it clarifies that neither God has a son nor is God a father.  Many a Christian when they hear this from me, they think we have no relationship with God because Christians relate to God in human terms of father and son.  They see Christians as having a ‘personal’ relationship with Jesus and the Father, but “Allah” seems like a distant being to them.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The Muslim relationship with God is expressed in Rabb<\/em>, or more properly ar-Rabb<\/em>, one of the most frequently repeated Names of God in the Quran, the Muslim scripture.  It is the most common Name with which God is invoked by prophets and the prayer’s of the pious.  The Name is clear in its meaning and beautifully captures the deep relationship with God.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Linguistically, according to by Ibn Faris[6]<\/a> the ancient Arabs used the wordrabb<\/em> to mean:<\/span><\/p>\r\n