Transcript Slide 1

Mohammed and the
Foundations of Islam
Arabia in the 500’s
I.
Mohammed-Life and Times- 569-632
A. Born 569 to Bedouin merchant family in
Middle East (Arabia)
B. Early spiritual conversion and teaching
C. Spiritual awakening around 40 years old
1. Believed spoken to by Archangel Gabriel
(like Mary)
2. Told that life had become too corrupt
(with riches, cares of this life)
Abraham’s Genealogy
HAGAR
ABRAHAM
Ishmael
12 Arabian
Tribes
SARAH
Isaac
Jacob
12 Tribes of
Israel
Esau
The Prophetic Tradition
Adam
Noah
Abraham
Moses
Jesus
Muhammad
D.
Little early success in the city of Mecca,
where he lived
1. Only about 30 converts in first 10 years
("companions of the Prophet")
a. Questioned wealth in Mecca
b. Undermined traditional religion in
Mecca
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believed that Allah was most
important
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worshiped a black meteorite as the
symbol of Allah--housed in the
Ka'ba shrine
2.
Moved to Medina (current name) where
he preached unsuccessfully to Jews in
622 (Islamic 1)
a. Jews uninterested in a non-Jewish
teacher
b. Jews uninterested in a new prophet
(Diaspora)
c. Jews very hostile (feared death of
religion)
d. Medina writings hostile defense of
religion
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The jihad (more a raid than a holy war)
accepted in Bedouin society as a way to
make money by attacking caravans.
Mohammed linked this to Islam
Said it was okay to fight, kill for the Truth
of Allah
Would provide a very important tool for
later Islamic leaders
3.
Moved back to Mecca (the original
pilgrimage) accepted the
importance of the old ways
a. Accepted the black stone as
Allah's
b. Made the black stone the chief
symbol and shrine of his new
religion
c. Mixed his new ideas with
accepted ones of Arabic culture
d. Mix was vital to his new religion
being accepted
II.
Major ideas of Islam (Surrender)
A. Seemed like other religions
1. Based on other regional religions
2. Early teachings: Jews and Christians
were "people of the book"
3. Islam would base itself loosely on the
books of those religions—Torah, Bible
4. Similar history and roots: Abraham
B.
The Five Pillars of Islam
1.
Belief: Complete acceptance, even just once, of
the idea that "There is no God but God (Allah);
Mohammed is the Messenger of God."
2.
Prayer: five times per day, facing East and Mecca
3.
Charity: Muslims must give alms generously
4.
Fasting: Muslims must fast for one month-Ramadan
5.
Pilgrimage: Muslims must try, at least once, to
make a pilgrimage to Mecca
6.
If one would do this, one could achieve paradise
after death--a very physical, pleasurable place
C.
Shari’ah- can’t gamble, eat pork, drink alcohol, or be
dishonest.
D.
Koran (Quran): rules, and other sayings given by
God to the Prophet
1.
Decided on after his death
2.
Once decided, could not be changed
IV. The Passion of Islam