Islam

A brief introduction

Islam

• Muhammad (570-632)• Call to be a prophet – 610• “Islam” = “submission” (to Allah)• “Muslims” = “submissive” or “surrendering”– Obey the will of Allah– Revealed in the Qur’an

Islam

• Recognizes Jesus as a prophet sent by God– Not God’s son though– Not as great as Muhammad (the greatest of all)

• Basis of continuation from Hebrew tradition: sons of Abraham (Isaac and Ishmael)

Islam

• Five things required of the faithful (The Five Pillars):– The creed: there is no god except Allah, and

Muhammad is his prophet– Prayer 5x per day– Generous almsgiving– Fasting at daylight one month per year (Ramadan)– Pilgrimage to Mecca (once in your life)

Islam

• It became a powerful force– Forged common Arab culture– Willing to impose that culture by force– A spiritual force that united Arab tribes into an

empire• By mid-8th c, North Africa and Spain• North and East through Mesopotamia and

Persia and beyond

Islam

• Europeans developed a lasting fear and suspicion of Muslims

• 732: Charles Martel, the ruler of the Franks, defeated Arabs at Poitiers– Ended Arab expansion into Europe through Spain– From 700-1050, Mediterranean was still

essentially a Muslim waterway– Trade still happens, but significantly reduced, and

highly conscious of Muslim presence

Islam