Islam

The Quran instructs all believers to pray. It encourages the faithful to do so morning and evening. “[G]lorify your Lord with His praise, before the rising and before the setting of the sun…”

Other times are also proscribed for prayer: “Say your prayers from the decline of the sun, until nightfall….”; “Say your prayers morning and evening, and during parts of the night….”

Devout followers of the Quran will pray five times daily. In addition, the Quran states “be constant in prayer.”

Prayer is to praise God, ask forgiveness, and to seek guidance.

The Quran states that God answers prayers.

It teaches that prayers should be offered sincerely, regularly, kneeling or prostrated, in humility and in secret. Prayer should be prepared for with certain washings and purity. Prayer should be with the face towards the Sacred Mosque.

The Quran teaches that God, angels, and satan existed before this life. Specifically it teaches that there was an important meeting of them all at which satan was cast out.

There are many, including the following: Muhammad, Idris, Noah, Isaac, Jacob, Abraham, Ishmael, Moses, Jesus, Jonah, Aaron.

The Quran points to a great number of signs sent by God, including these listed below:

• …Abraham saved from the fire
• …beneficial things grow in earth
• …created diversity of languages and colours
• …created heavens and earth
• …created mankind, from dust…became human
• …created spouses
• …created spouses, affection and kindness
• …created spouses, might find repose in them
• …destroyed people of 'Ad
• …destroyed people of Salih
• …drowned armies of Egypt
• …evil doers will say…only return…be among the believers
• …flood…people of Noah
• …generations destroyed…ruined dwellings
• …God could cause earth to swallow up those who deny the truth
• …God could cause piece of sky to fall on those who deny the truth
• …God created heavens and earth and all living creatures
• …God created heavens and earth for a purpose
• …God gives abundantly…sparingly to whoever He pleases
• …God grants abundant sustenance to anyone He wishes
• …God made them bygone tales…scattered them
• …God sends out winds… ship sail at His command
• …god subjected sea so may sail, for those who ponder
• …god subjected whatever in heaven and earth, for those who ponder
• …God takes away men's souls upon their death
• …God, in His hands
• …heaven and earth stand firm
• …life-destroying wind sent against tribe of 'Ad…destroyed
• …lightning, giving rise to fear and hope
• …Lot and household saved
• …made night for rest…day to give them light
• …make the most of your lives for a while, Thamud
• …make the most of your lives for a while, Thamud, thunderbolt
• …Moses divided Red Sea…Israel delivered
• …multiplied yourselves throughout the earth
• …night and day
• …night and day succeed each other
• …night, withdrew from it the light of the day
• …offspring carried in the laden ark
• …punishment upon dwellers of forest
• …punishment upon dwellers of forest
• …punishment upon Soddom and Gumorah
• …punishment upon tribe of Thamud
• …rain causes earth to stir and swell
• …rain, giving life to the earth
• …rain, use their reason
• …resurrection
• …ships sail on sea
• …ships sail on sea by God's grace
• …sleep…seeking His bounty
• …sun and moon

The Quran extensively refers to Paradise. The Quran does not refer to Paradise as a place where spirits go awaiting the resurrection.
Instead, the Quran’s use of the word Paradise is to describe an ultimate place of final, favorable judgment and residence.
Paradise is described primarily as a place of very favorable surroundings.

Paradise includes all of the following:

(a)light emanating from the inhabitants;
(b)no vain or sinful talk, but only words of peace and tranquility;
(c)reclining green couches, placed in a row, facing one another;
(d)gold and silver bracelets and pearls and clothing of silk;
(e)gold and silver vessels and crystal goblets;
(f)best residence and finest lodging;
(g)finest carpets;
(h)abundant fruit;
(i)fruit trees;
(j)abundant drinks;
(k)meat;
(l)eternal shade;
(m)virgins, primarily with large beautiful, dark eyes, who men can marry;
(n)pure women of an equal age;
(o)spouses;
(p)springs;
(q)gardens through which rivers flow;
(r)rivers of milk, honey, pure water, and wine; and,
(s)a wall of separation, and a gate of entrance.

It is not clear whether the virgins are women from mortality who never married and kept their virginity, or whether they are newly created for the benefit of man. Although one passage seems to indicate that they are newly created.

The Quran also speaks of living with spouses. So seemingly the Quran indicates that marriage for the faithful can be continued into Paradise.

It also is not clear whether the women of equal age include or refers to the virgins or the spouses. Nor is it clear what the age of the man is in Paradise—the age at the time of his death or something else.

It speaks of inhabitants being honored and a place of bliss, peace, and security.

It does not specifically speak of any joy from personal ongoing change or progress. The happiness from Paradise seems primarily externally based and due to a satisfaction of the senses.

Being placed in Paradise lasts for eternity.

Those who are permitted to enter Paradise include those who:

(a)believe and do good deeds;
(b)believe the revelations and surrender to God;
(c)seek neither self-aggrandisement on the earth nor corruption;
(d)obey God and His Messenger;
(e)are God-fearing;
(f)are righteous; and/or,
(g)are faithful to their trust and promises and attend to prayers.

The Quran extensively speaks of hell. It describes it as a place of immeasurable and never-ending suffering. Specifically, it describes suffering due to,

(a) fire that scorches the skin of its inhabitants;
(b) persons whose bodies are consumed receiving new bodies so they can continue to suffer;
(c) boiling water being poured over the head;
(d) boiling and stinking water given to drink so that it tears the bowels;
(e) being stuck in a state—neither alive nor dead--so individuals continue to suffer;
(f) climbing ascending stairways for fifty thousand years;
(g) being fettered by chains and iron collars;
(h) being given filthy food that chokes;
(i) being given fruit of the Zaqqum tree which boils in the belly; and,
(j) scorching wind.

Those to be cast into hell include any of the following individuals who:

(a) amassed wealth and hoarded it;
(b) denied the Day of Judgement;
(c) turned their back on the true faith;
(d) denied the truth;
(e) followed Satan;
(f) wittingly swore to falsehood;
(g) consumed orphans’ possessions;
(h) denied, scorned, derided, or rejected His revelations;
(i) denied the Book of Moses;
(j) denied the truth;
(k) desired the life of this world and its finery;
(l) did not believe in Almighty God;
(m) disobeyed or opposed God and His Messenger;
(n) persecuted the believing and did not repent;
(o) did evil deeds;
(p) came to the Lord a sinner;
(q) killed a believer deliberately;
(r) rejected God’s signs;


or who were:

(s) transgressors;
(t) arrogant;
(u) evil doers;
(v) hypocrites;
(w) polytheists;
(x) ungrateful and rebellious; or,
(y) Abu Lahab.

Those sent to hell will reside there forever.

Protected from hell, however, will be those who

(2)   are not the most wicked;
(3)   fear God; or,
(4)   He wills.

The Quran states that God made a covenant with Israel. “God made a covenant with the Children of Israel.”

It tells of Israel’s time in the wilderness and also in Egypt. It speaks of Moses’ speaking with Pharaoh and Pharaoh’s refusal to let Israel go. It tells of the plagues brought upon Egypt as a result.

It recounts the parting of the Red Sea to allow Israel to cross as Egyptian armies were pursuing them, and how God then closed the waters to destroy the Egyptians.

It states that God “favoured them over all other people”, and that, “[i]f they had observed the Torah and the Gospel and that which was revealed unto them from their Lord, they would surely have been nourished from above.”

But in the end, the Quran tells of ancient Israel that, “they disobeyed and were given to transgression”, and that, “[e]vil indeed were their deeds”, and “they rejected the signs of God…put the prophets to death.”

The Quran teaches that, "God too is the enemy of those who deny the truth." It states that "God is the Truth."

The Quran teaches that one can learn truth, by

A. Signs: "Thus God makes His signs clear to you, so that you may find guidance";
B: Reason: "Can they not use their reason";
C. Receiving revelation from God: "No one can tell you [the Truth] like the One who is all knowing"; to
D. An Open Heart: "the truth is that it is not the eyes that are blind but the hearts that are in the bosoms that are blinded."

The Quran also teaches that one is guided to the truth only by God's will.
It also states that, "those who deny the truth...their abode shall be Hell", where a "painfull punishment is bound to befall such of them as are bent on denying the truth."
"God guides whomever He pleases." It states of God that " You cause whom You will to stray, and You lead whom You will to the right path."

Regarding women, the Quran teaches that,

(1)   “men are protectors of women”;
(2)   “men have a rank above them”; and “male is not like a female”;
(3)   virtuous women are obedient;”
(4)   the “Lord has forbidden indecency”;
(5)   the inheritance of women is to be half as much as men; and,
(6)   specific rules apply to those who are Muhammad’s wives.

The Quran states that all will be resurrected and return to God, “[Y]ou shall all be resurrected….” “[A]s for the dead, God wiill raise them up, and then they will all return to Him….”

The Quran also indicates that the Day of resurrection is a day of judgment, when angels shall descend, and every human being shall be judged for the good or evil he has done:

“Day when the sky will split open with its clouds and the angels are sent down rank upon rank….”
“On the Day of Resurrection, God will judge between you regarding your differences….”
“Day when every human being will find himself faced with all the good…evil...has done….”
“[on that Day] you shall be divided into three groups…. Those on the Right--how blessed are those on the Right!...Those on the Left--how unlucky are those on the Left!...”

The earth itself will undergo great change, “[T]he mountains are totally shattered and crumble to pieces and become like scattered dust particles….

The Quran speaks of Jesus Christ as a prophet: “[T]he prophets, from you and Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus , the son of Mary….”
Relating to Jesus Christ, it further speaks of,

A. revelations given to Him, “We believe in what has been given to Moses, Jesus and the prophets from their Lord….”;
B. miracles he would perform—healing the blind and raising the dead, “[B]y God's leave I will heal the blind and the leper and bring the dead to life….”
C. that He received the gospel from God, “We gave him the Gospel, which contained guidance and light….”
D. was strengthened by the Holy Spirit, “Jesus…I strengthened you with the holy spirit….”
E. was born of Mary, a virgin, “Jesus, son of Mary….” “How can I have a son when no man has touched me…neither…unchaste….”

It is not clear what is meant by one passage referring to Jesus Christ as the Messiah, “His name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary…”

What is clear are the Quran’s teachings that Jesus was not crucified, could not suffer for our sins, and is not the Son of God,

“They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him….”
“No bearer of a burden can bear the burden of another….”
“Christians say, "The Messiah is the son of God." These are…baseless utterances….”

As to the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Quran states,

1—It was given by God,

“We gave him the Gospel, which contained guidance and light….”
“I taught you the Book, and wisdom, the Torah and the Gospel….”

2—The gospel should have been observed,

“If they had observed the Torah and the Gospel and what was revealed to them…surely have been nourished.”
“People of the Book, you have no ground to stand on until you observe the Torah and the Gospel and what is revealed to you.”

Alms

The Quran teaches the importance of both prayers and giving alms (or zakats) to the poor:

“[S]ay your prayers and pay the prescribed alms.”
“Attend to your prayers and pay the zakat and obey the Messenger, so that you may be shown mercy.”
“[K]eep up prayer and to give alms secretly and openly out of what We have given them.”
“[D]o not chide the one who asks for help.”
“[S]pend in charity.”

Pilgrimage

The Quran also speaks of a pilgrimage that each believer should perform:

“Perform the Hajj and the minor pilgrimage [umrah]….”
“Pilgrimage to the House is a duty to God for anyone who is able to undertake it….”
“Call mankind to the Pilgrimage….”

During the pilgrimage one is encouraged to “fast three days” and “for seven days after his return.”