Islam
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Transcript of 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?