Islam

Submission to the will of God

Islam Core Beliefs5 Pillars of Islam

• Muslim is one who submits to the will of God

• 5 Pillars make up the core beliefs– SHAHADA. Profession of Faith. There is no God

but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger

– SALAT. Pray 5 times a day facing Makkah (Mecca)

– ZAKAT. Give to the needy. Alms giving

– SAWM. Fast during the month of Ramadan

– HAJJ. Pilgrimage to Makkah

Branches of Islam andlocation of Muslims

• Sunni, Arabic for orthodox, make up 83% of muslims mostly found in the Middle East

• Shiite (Shia) found primarily in Iran (90% of population in Iran), Pakistan, Iraq and smaller numbers in Turkey, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, and Yemen.

• Half of all Muslims live in Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India

• Islam numbers are growing in Europe and North America due to Migrants.

• Between 3 and 4 million in N. America. • Nation of Islam also known as Black Muslims is one of

the largest groups. Founded by Elijah Muhammad, and split by Malcolm X now also known as the Muslim Mission

Origin of Islam

• See reading packet and text book

• Homework– Read pages 166-168 in the Fellmann book

and compare what it says to the Rubenstein book. Add onto your worksheet any added information you gain about ISLAM

Diffusion of Islam

• Muhammad’s Successors organized armies and took over large parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe

• Within 100 years Muslims took over Palestine, Persian Empire and much of India.

• They captured N. Africa and move across the Strait of Gibraltar into Spain.

• Diffused through Relocation by missionaries that took Islam to Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Indonesia currently has more Muslims than any other country.

Holy Places in Islam

• Holiest places are related to the life of Muhammad

• Mecca is the first holiest place. There you find the holiest object the Ka’ba which is the center of the Great Mosque, and the well of Zamzam

• Medina, where Muhammad fled to after he was forced out of Mecca. Here he gained popularity and power

• Dome of the Rock. In Jerusalem where Muhammad was taken by an angel and from there taken into heaven.

Islamic calendar

• Islam uses a Lunar calendar that in a 30 year period there are 19 years with 354 days and 11 with 355 days

• Muslim holidays arrive at different times. Example: Ramadan was in October in 2003, but it will be in August in 2010.

• This causes the length of fast to be different in different parts of the world

Islam place of Worship

• Muslims gather in a Mosque.• A Mosque is considered a place to gather

together for worship and is not viewed as a sanctified place like a church.

• A Mosque usually includes an open courtyard (enclosed in harsh climates), a pulpit that faces Mecca, a cloister used for a school or other non religious activities.

• Unique feature is the Minaret, a tower attached to the mosque, where the Muezzin calls people to pray.

Care for the Dead

• Muslims bury their dead in Cemeteries

• In some Muslim countries Cemeteries are used as parks.