Islam

Pre Class

List 5 things that you know (or think you know) about the religion of Islam, Islamic culture and history.

Arab? Islam? Muslim? Islamic? Arab – someone who speaks Arabic Islam – the faith founded by Muhammad Muslim – someone who practices the

religion of Islam Islamic – describing an object (ie. Islamic

country, Islamic calendar, Islamic law)

The Arab World

Islam - religion started by Islam - religion started by Muhammad and his Muhammad and his

teachings/revelations from Allahteachings/revelations from Allah

Means “submission” –people must Means “submission” –people must throw themselves upon the mercy of throw themselves upon the mercy of God (submit) in order to be savedGod (submit) in order to be saved

““Muslim” – people who practice the Muslim” – people who practice the religion of Islamreligion of Islam

Arabia Before MuhammadArabia Before Muhammad Bedouin tribes – nomadic Bedouin tribes – nomadic

animal herders animal herders – Worshipped pagan godsWorshipped pagan gods– Constantly at war (scarcity Constantly at war (scarcity

of water, resources)of water, resources) Mecca Mecca

– PopularPopular because of the because of the Kaaba (tribes worshipped Kaaba (tribes worshipped pagan gods)pagan gods)

– ProsperousProsperous – Kaaba made – Kaaba made it a center of tradeit a center of trade

MuhammadMuhammad

born in Mecca 570 A.D. born in Mecca 570 A.D. (Arabian Peninsula) (Arabian Peninsula)

“ “revelation” from God revelation” from God in a cavein a cave

preached preached MONOTHEISM (one MONOTHEISM (one God) and God) and social justicesocial justice

Why didn’t Arabs like Why didn’t Arabs like Muhammad's message?Muhammad's message?

Threatened their gods/way of lifeThreatened their gods/way of life

–monotheism, non-violencemonotheism, non-violence Threatened their power and wealthThreatened their power and wealth

–Kaaba brought trade and Kaaba brought trade and prosperityprosperity

–Rich had to give to poorRich had to give to poor

622-The Hijra622-The Hijra

Muhammad forced out of Mecca Muhammad forced out of Mecca and went to Yathrib (Medina - and went to Yathrib (Medina - city of the prophet)city of the prophet)

began the religion of Islam began the religion of Islam Year 1 on Muslim calendarYear 1 on Muslim calendar

Prophet’s Mosque-MedinaProphet’s Mosque-Medina

630 Muhammad returns to Mecca630 Muhammad returns to Mecca

captures the captures the citycity

Died in 632Died in 632

KaabaKaaba

Before Muhammad:Before Muhammad:

““black stone” black stone” worshipped, worshipped, along with along with pagan godspagan gods

After Muhammad:After Muhammad:

• re-dedicated to re-dedicated to one God (Allah)one God (Allah)

• 11stst mosque mosque (Muslim house of (Muslim house of worship)worship)

• Sight of the hajjSight of the hajj

Why does Islam spread? Social justice message –

non-violence, equality Strength of Muhammad’s

forces– New power in Arabia– People converted to Islam

Muhammad’s Teachings Muhammad’s Teachings

Allah was the one and only God and all Allah was the one and only God and all should submit and be thankful to Himshould submit and be thankful to Him

All believers in Allah were equal under All believers in Allah were equal under Him (SOCIAL JUSTICE)Him (SOCIAL JUSTICE)

rich should share wealth with the poor rich should share wealth with the poor Allah knows people’s destiny, but they Allah knows people’s destiny, but they

should strive to live good livesshould strive to live good lives

Christians and Jews Christians and Jews “people of the “people of the book”book”

required to treat required to treat them with tolerancethem with tolerance

How have religions spread??

FaithFaithDaily prayerDaily prayerAlmsgivingAlmsgivingFastFastPilgrimage to Mecca (hajj)Pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj)

Five Pillars of IslamFive Pillars of Islam

Testament of FaithTestament of Faith

There is ONE There is ONE God, Allah, God, Allah, and and Muhammad is Muhammad is his prophethis prophet

Daily PrayerDaily Prayer

Pray five Pray five times a daytimes a day

facing Meccafacing MeccaIn ArabicIn Arabic

AlmsgivingAlmsgiving

Charity to the Charity to the poor and agedpoor and aged

2.5% of 2.5% of possessionspossessions

FastFast

during the month of Ramadanduring the month of RamadanNO food – sunrise to sunsetNO food – sunrise to sunsetRefrain from violence, harsh Refrain from violence, harsh

language, gossip, etc.language, gossip, etc.

Dates – used to break fasts by many Muslims (Kuwait)

HajjHajj ““pilgrimage” to Meccapilgrimage” to Mecca All Muslims who are able must All Muslims who are able must

make the journeymake the journey

The Black Stone, surrounded by its silver frame and the black cloth kiswah on the Kaaba in Mecca

A 1315 image of Muhammad lifting the Black Stone into place, when the Kaaba was rebuilt in the early 600s.[27]

The KoranThe Koran Sacred bookSacred book Muhammad’s miracleMuhammad’s miracle God’s final message to his peopleGod’s final message to his people Final authority for Muslims, on: Final authority for Muslims, on:

religion, politics, law, economic, religion, politics, law, economic, and social lifeand social life

Islamic Law – Islamic Law – ShariaSharia

Islam: After Muhammad's DeathIslam: After Muhammad's Death

AD 632 – Muhammad dies Abu Bakr takes over as caliph (successor

to the prophet; political leader of Islam) AD 661 – Ali, the 4th caliph (relative of

Muhammad) is murdered Dispute over who will be the next

successor erupts!!!

Sunnis/Shiites: SIMILARITIES Monotheistic (believe in one God = Allah) Muhammad = prophet Koran – unchanging EXACT word of God Hadith/Sunnah Sharia (Islamic law) Worship in mosques Mecca = holy city 5 Pillars = responsibilities as Muslims

Islam SplitsSUNNISM

Traditional Islam Any devout Muslim

can be caliph Emphasis on Koran,

Hadith and Sunnah Scholars interpret

Koran Don’t recognize

imams/ayatollahs No clergymen 85-90%

SHIISM “Ali’s Party” Caliph must be direct

descendant of Muhammad

Believe Muhammad chose first imam (Ali)

Imam – leader – interprets Koran/Hadith

Ayatollahs issue decrees on Islamic law

10-15%

Pre Class

Which difference between Sunnis and Shiites do you believe is the most significant? Why?

Islam’s Zenith

Expansion of Islam

Spread beliefs and gain riches Arab armies launched Jihad (holy war)

– To defend Islam

– “Struggle within” 732 Arabs conquer empire from Indus 732 Arabs conquer empire from Indus

river, to Atlantic Oceanriver, to Atlantic Ocean Tolerance/ taxes on non-believers