Islam

Islam

“Muhammad” in Arabic

“Allah” in Arabic

Muhammad, the Prophet

570 AD - born in Arab peninsula Family of merchants from

Mecca (town) Religious practice was all

over the place (pagan, christian, etc)

Ka’aba – formerly dedicated by Abraham to Yahweh; temple later served pagan gods

Place of annual pilgrimage, for Arabs

Muhammad, the Prophet Muhammad was a reflective

man, would spend time alone in Cave Hira

610 AD – Muhammad received revelation from Archangel Gabriel Ramadan Revelation of Qu’ran to

Muhammad Message: people had lost true

way to worship God (Allah); revelations were the way he wanted to be worshipped

Cave Hira – location ofrevelations

Muhammad, the Prophet Revelations occurred for 6

months Family, followers adopted

new ways Muhammad spent next ten

years teaching new ideas 620 AD – M. ejected from

Mecca; went to Medina & spent next 8 years in war vs. Mecca

632 AD – died, ascended to Heaven

Coverage of Islam, 632 AD

Spread of Islam, 632-750 AD

By 642, Muslim Arabs had conquered from Egypt to Persia

By 656, from Tripoli to Pakistan

In 661, 4th Caliph, Ali, died – split in Sunni, Shia

By 711, Arabs invaded Spain, India

In 732, defeat of Arabs at Tours

Beliefs: Five Pillars of Islam Shahada

Declaration of Faith “There is no God but Allah &

Muhammad is his Prophet” Salat

Mandatory prayer 5 times a day, towards Mecca (connect to God)

Zakat 2.5% tithe to charity

Sawm Fasting during Ramadan (purify)

Hajj Once in life = pilgrimage to Mecca

Muslims performing the Salat

The hajj

Inherent Appeal of Islam Simplicity of belief: follow 5 pillars = salvation Equality for believers

All promised salvation All equal, whether earliest member or latest

conquest High moral teachings

Strict moral code; very little gray Respect for “People of the Book”

Christians, Jews not forced to convert BUT special tax on Christians & Jews who didn’t

convert (dhimmi); wear special clothing, acknowledge Muslim superiority, severe legal restrictions (2nd class citizens)

Forced conversion of pagans (non Abrahamic people) – convert or die

Sources of Islamic Teaching Qu’ran (revelations of God made to

Muhammad) Taught by oral repetition Learn in Arabic (truest translation of

revelations) “Perfection” of monotheistic teachings

about God Hadith (traditions relating to life,

deeds of Muhammad) Important tools for determining how

Muslims should live (WWMD?) First written down in 7th C.

Sharia (Islamic law) Regulations of public, private life Traditional way of living

Islam Today

Second largest religion in the world 1.3 billion Muslims (20%

world’s population) Fastest growing

religion in the world 43 countries with

Muslim majority populations (SE Asia; S. Asia; Middle East; N. Africa; Eastern Europe)

Where do Muslims come from?