Transcript Islam
Islam: An Abrahamic Religion Judaeo-Christian foundations Muslims are strict monotheists They believe in the Judeo-Christian God which they call Allah. Muhammad is the last prophet Muslims believe that the Torah and the Bible, like the Qur’an, is the word of God Life of Muhammad Peace be upon him or May Allah bless him and grant him peace Born 570CE into a powerful Meccan family. Orphaned and raised by relatives. Khadijah, wife and partner Muhammad received his first revelation from the angel Gabriel in the Cave of Hira in 610 ‘Islam’ = Submission to the will of Allah. Muslim = “one who has submitted” Life of Muhammad Flees Mecca for Medina (Yathrib) with group of followers to preach as the prophet 622CE Hijirah. Marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar Muhammad’s revelations were compiled into the Qur’an after his death at age 62 Muslims believe the Qur’an contains the word of God. Written in Arabic Life of Muhammad Unites conflicting tribes and conquers Mecca By the time of his death in 632, most of the Arab Peninsula had converted to Islam; and he united the tribes of Arabia into a single Muslim religious polity When name is spoken Peace be upon him or May Allah bless him and grant him peace The Shahada The testimony. The declaration of faith There is no god worthy of worship except God, and Muhammad is His Messenger [or Prophet] 1 The Salat The mandatory prayers performed 5 times a day * dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, before bed Wash before praying. Face Mecca and use a prayer rug The call to prayer by the muezzin in the minaret. Pray in the mosque on Friday 2 The Zakat Almsgiving (charitable donations) Belief that all things belong to God Zakat means both “purification” and “growth” About 2.5% of your income 3 The Sawm Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan Considered a method of self-purification No eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan 4 Eid Mubarak End of the Ramadan holiday The Hajj The pilgrimage to Mecca Must be done at least once in a Muslim’s life Two to three million Muslims make the pilgrimage every year. Hajji 5 The Ka’aba The most sacred site in Islam. The cube-like building located in Mecca predates Islam, and, according to tradition, was partly built by Abraham and Ishmael The Masjid al-Haram mosque is built around it All Muslims around the world face the Kaaba during prayer The Ka’aba The Hajj requires require all physically able pilgrims to walk several times around it in a counter-clockwise direction. Called the Tawaf Mecca Hajj The Mosque The Muslim place of worship The Dome of the Rock Mosque in Jerusalem Mount Moriah Rock where Muhammad ascended into heaven. Also most holy in Judaism Temple Other Islamic Religious Practices Polygamy allowed. Multiple wives allowed at once Dietary restrictions - No alcohol or pork No gambling Sharia Islamic law that regulates daily living Three holiest cities in Islam * Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem. Why was Islam able to spread so quickly and convert so many to the new religion? The Spread of Islam Easy to learn and practice No priesthood. Every Muslim worships Allah directly Teaches equality Non-Muslims, who were “Peoples of the Book,” were allowed religious freedom, but paid additional taxes Easily “portable” faith nomads & Arab trade routes Jihad (“Holy War”) against pagans and other nonbelievers (“infidels”)