Islam

Pre-Islamic Life

• Rural Life– Bedouins – Nomadic tribes

• Fairly violent society– Tribes & Clans– Status is from the group

• Urban Life– Mecca: Trade Center / Land of Haram

• Not as violent– Status is from wealth– No concern for poor/weak

Pre-Islamic Religion

• Polytheism – Many gods & goddesses– Creator god present in pantheon

• Not worshipped by many

• Animism– Spirits in the world

• Inhabit rocks, trees, valleys, free-flowing, etc.

• Judaism & Christianity known

Muhammad – The Final Prophet

• Muhammad – born 570 ce– Quraysh tribe / Hashim

Clan – Orphaned young

• Raised by uncle

• Marries Khadijah– Excellent marriage

• Fatima

 • Disturbed by Society

– Upset by poverty– Moral system not adequate– Goes to meditate / pray

Night of Power

• 610 – Angel Gabriel visits M. while he meditates

• Tells M. to “recite”

• Foundation of the Qur’an – suras

Fundamental Beliefs

• Monotheistic belief– Only God is worthy of worship

• Polytheism gives other “beings” worship

• Last Judgment– Deeds in life will be judged

• Theocentric purpose for life

– Bodily resurrection• No body/soul dichotomy

• Five Pillars of Islam

The Five Pillars of Islam

• Recitation of the Muslim act of faith– There is no God but God, and M. is his prophet

• Obligation of prayer– 5 times a day – facing Mecca

• Charity– 1/40th income

• Fasting during Ramadan– Daylight hours

• Pilgrimage (Haj)

Hegria

• Muhammad escapes Mecca

• Goes to Medina to start an Islamic society

• Islam – submission to God

• Muslim – one who submits

Battle of Badr - 623

• New Umma in Medina

• Battles with Mecca show divine support– Peace treaties with

• Conquered Mecca – Jan. 11, 624

Rule Under Caliphs

Practices of Islam

• No pork, alcohol – halal

• Male circumcision

• Polygamy acceptable/ Monogamy ideal

• Usury forbidden

• Observation of feast days

• Simplicity and asceticism– Rapid growth and spread of religion

Main Sects of Islam

• Sunni and Shi’a traditions

• Sufism = mystical dimension of Islam– Sheyks and disciples– Retirement in poverty– Piety and repentance

Sufi Dancing

Sufi Writers

• Rumi

– Persian poems (rhyming couplets)

– Discourses on mystical experiences

– Recitation and movement (dervishes)

Modern Islam

• Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Empire

• World War I

• Modern Islamic states– Variations in social expression