Islam “No part of the world is more hopelessly and systematically

and stubbornly misunderstood by us than that complex of religion,

culture and geography known as Islam.”- Meg Greenfield,

Newsweek

Legacy of Misunderstanding

Border Disputes Crusades Name of religion even incorrect and offensive

Mohammedanism Islam is correct and means “Peace and Surrender”

Islam’s History Descendants of Noah’s son, Shem

Consider themselves to be Semitic people just like Judaism

Follow the Jewish tradition through the story of Abraham to the banishing of Hagar and Ishmael

Descendants of Ishmael give rise to Islam

Great ConquerorsEmpire greater than even the Romans

Mohammad “The Seal of the Prophets”

Authentic prophets before him but he is the last

Born into the leading tribe of Mecca approximately A.D. 570 Life in the desert region difficult even in the best of times Orphaned at an early age

Mohammad Married a wealthy widow 15 years his senior who was a comfort to him throughout his life Continued to seek solitude from the ugliness that surrounded him in a cave near Mecca known as Mount Hira Ignores the dessert Jihn of the regional religion and focuses on one of the many gods called Allah

Mohammad Receives his Commission

An Angel in the form of a man visits Mohammad in his cave and orders him to proclaim Wife becomes his first convert

Reaction to Mohammad’s Message

Violent and Hostile 1. Monotheism threatened money coming

in from polytheistic pilgrimages 2. Moral teachings demanded end to

debauchery 3. Challenged an unjust social order

In the sight of the Lord, all people are equal Very Democratic message for the time

Hijra-Mohammad Moves to Yathrib

Spiritual leaders and nobility of Mecca worried about his growing numbers Yathrib in need of a strong leader

Promises to follow the precepts of Islam and obey the prophet in

622 ADThis is the year the Muslims use to start their calendar

Yathrib becomes Medina al-Nabi and eventually shortened to Medina

Mohammad’s New Role in Medina

Must become an administrator and statesmen to lead the people Manages to bring order to a city composed of five competing tribes (three of which were Jewish)

Battling with Mecca Mecca attempts to force Medina into submission and to capture Mohammad

First attempt thwarted by the Medinese Second attempt Mohammad wounded Third attempt laid siege to the city and lost permanently swinging the balance in Mohammad’s favor

Returns to Mecca a conqueror and forgives the city Rededicates the Ka’ba to Allah and returns to Medina

The Koran Recitation Most read and possibly most influential Mohammad considered this God’s “standing miracle”114 chapters and 4/5ths the length of the New Testament Considered a consideration of the Old and New testament

Jews and Christians are also people of “the book”

Purest scripture because it is free from inaccuracies caused by mistranslation and missing parts of the truth

Beliefs of Islam Many similarities in beliefs and traditions with both Christians and Jews

Do not believe in the divinity of Christ or the Incarnation

Shares the belief that God created the world and that it is good

Leads to the development of science in Muslim world while the west suffered through the dark ages

Abraham the most important figure of the Koran

Beliefs of Islam 1. Monothesism revealed through

Abraham 2. Then Commandments through

Moses3. Golden Rule through Jesus 4. Koran answers HOW to love your

neighbor

The Five Pillars “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is His Prophet “

Brings peace to Muslims on a daily basis Often uttered in times of distress to remind Muslims and place perspective on the crisis

The Five Pillars Daily prayer facing Mecca

Five times a day Explained during Mohammad’s ascent to Heaven

Originally God ordered 50 times a day but Moses encouraged Mohammad to renegotiate a number that would work for the people

The Five Pillars Alms and charity

Those who have should help those who have not Both income and possessions

Five Pillars of Islam Ramadan

Month in the Islamic calendar in which Mohammad:

Received his initial revelation Made the Hijrah

Fast from sun up to sun down

Five Pillars of IslamHaja

Pilgrimage to Mecca Walk seven times around the ka’baOnly Muslims may enter the inner city

Status of Women Pre-Islamic status was TERRIBLE Sanctification of Marriage did more to raise women's status than anything else

Koran states a woman must give her free consent before being wed Divorce a last resort

Men required to pay alimony

Polygyny is no longer common

Status of Women “Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks closely round them (when the go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognised and not annoyed.”

Religious Themes Now that we have completed our study of the great world religions, contemplate their similarities and differences in a broader perspective and return to the definition of religion. How does each of these religions meet the definition of religion?

ReligionA set of beliefs concerning the cause,

nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation

of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving

devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human

affairs.

Confucianism Not a religion in the normal sense Philosophy that governs the way of life of Chinese and other peoples around the world Founder: Confucius 551-479 b.c.Social and civic responsibility with a code to follow

Confucianism 5 basic relationships

Ruler and subjectsFather and sunHusband and wifeOlder brother and younger brotherFriend and friend

Code of proper conduct was developed for all these relationships

Not very woman friendly

Confucianism

Celebration:Confucius’ birthday celebrated on Sept 28th around the world Teachers also celebrated

Education an important part of a fulfilled life Authority just below that of father

Ritual:Honoring ancestors

Shrines in homes to honor the dead Prays and food offered Continued cooperation and aid for worshiping

ConfucianismWorship:

Confucius now seen as a god or spiritual leader with temples dedicated to him in many Chinese cities

Icon:Yin-Yang

Sacred Texts:The Analectic

Recorded by his students