Bell Work

•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 Muhammad and his

teachings/revelations from Allah

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

“Muslim” – people who practice the religion of Islam

Arabia Before Muhammad• Bedouin tribes – nomadic

animal herders o Worshipped pagan godso Constantly at war (scarcity

of water, resources)• Mecca

o Popular because location of the Kaaba (alter of Abraham)

o Prosperous – Kaaba made it a center of trade

Muhammad

• born in Mecca 570 A.D. 

• “revelation” from God in a cave

• preached MONOTHEISM (one God) 

Why didn’t Arabs like Muhammad's message?

• Threatened their gods/way of lifeomonotheism, non-violence

• Threatened their power and wealthoKaaba brought trade and prosperity

oRich had to give to poor

622-The Hijra

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

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

Prophet’s Mosque-Medina

630 Muhammad returns to Mecca

• captures the city

• Died in 632

Kaaba

Before Muhammad:“black stone” worshipped, along with pagan gods

After Muhammad:• re-dedicated to one God

(Allah)• 1st mosque (Muslim house

of worship)• Sight of the hajj

Why does Islam spread?• Social justice message

– non-violence, equality• Strength of

Muhammad’s forceso New power in Arabiao People converted to Islam

Muhammad’s Teachings

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

• All believers in Allah were equal under Him

• Christians and Jews “people of the book”

• required to treat them with tolerance

How have religions spread??

• Faith• Daily prayer• Almsgiving• Fast• Pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj)

Five Pillars of Islam

Testament of Faith

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

Daily Prayer

• Pray five times a day

• facing Mecca• In Arabic

Almsgiving

• Charity to the poor and aged

• 2.5% of possessions

Fast

• during the month of Ramadan

• NO food – sunrise to sunset• Refrain from violence, harsh language, gossip, etc.

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

Haji• “pilgrimage” to Mecca• All Muslims who are able must

make the journey

The Koran

• Sacred book• Muhammad’s miracle• God’s final message to his

people• Final authority for Muslims, on:

religion, politics, law, economic, and social life

• Islamic Law – Sharia

Islam: 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)

oTo defend Islam o “Struggle within”

• 732 Arabs conquer empire from Indus river, to Atlantic Ocean

• Tolerance/ taxes on non-believers