Page 116 - LD215 History of the Church in Africa A4 final

A History of the Church in Africa

“True Islam,” my father said, “looks only to Allah for help.”… All
kinds of fears permeated our lives as Muslims.… Even though we
professed trust in Allah and his mercy, in reality no one could be
sure that he was on our side. We could only hope that he would
grant us favor. There is nothing in the tenets of “true Islam” that
is conducive to total trust in God because Allah can decree good
or evil for man at any time.” (4)

Unity

Islam proudly claims the unity of the ummah, or the worldwide
community of Muslims. However, in reality there are many divisions,
the most important of which is the division between Sunni and Shi’ite
Muslims. The Sunnis make up about 85 percent of the adherents of
Islam, the Shi’ites make up about 10–15 percent, and other groups
have approximately 5 percent. There are also Sufis, Bektahis, Kavaties,
Alawites, Ahmadyias, and many more. Orthodox Muslims view several
of these fringe groups as heretical.

The spiritual center of Islam is Mecca, the holy city. However, Muslims
also view Medina and Jerusalem as sacred places. The seeds of schism
were planted upon the death of Muhammad, when according to Shi’ite
tradition, he appointed his son-in-law, Ali, to be his successor. Still,
twenty-four hectic years passed before Ali became Caliph, and then he
was murdered during the fifth year of his reign. Shi’ites view themselves
as the true fundamentalists of Islam because they have retained the
leadership of Muhammad’s lineage. Although the Sunnis respect Ali,
they do not hold him as the only legitimate successor of Muhammad.

Community
Responsibility toward the community is central to the teaching
of Islam. The very center or core of Islam is the family—the extended
family—and from this center society is related like concentric circles that
move out from the center and yet are vitally related to it. Muslims have no
obligation toward people outside of the faith.

Paradise
Muslims believe man cannot be sure of entering paradise—even if he
lives as a practicing Muslim. In their view, there will be a resurrection
and a Day of Judgment when each person will be either condemned

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