Transcript Islam - Nutley Public Schools

Islam
Rise of Islam
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Islam emerged in the Arabian Peninsula
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The region was an important crossroad for
trade
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The two leading towns were Mecca &
Yathrib(Medina)
Islam means submission
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A Muslim is a person who submits to God
Background
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Islam: One of the
world’s great
religions
Medina
Mecca
Muhammad
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Born in Mecca around
570
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Orphaned as a child &
raised by his uncle
At 25 he married
Khadija who recognized
his spiritual qualities
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She encouraged him to
spend time praying and
fasting
Muhammad
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During a retreat he heard the voice of
Gabriel ordering him to “proclaim”
As God’s prophet he began to spread
the message of one God
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Won over very few converts
Muslim = “one who submits”
Islam = “to submit”
The Hejira
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AD 622 After his wife’s death he was
forced to leave Mecca
Moved to Yathrib or Medina (city of the
prophet)
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Became known as the hejira or the
beginning of the spread of Islam
His followers proclaimed it the first year of
the Muslim calendar
Important Dates
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630 conquered Mecca
632 Muhammed died
Five Pillars
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1. Believe in one God, Allah
2. Pray 5 times a day
3. Charity to the poor and aged
4. Fasting during the month of
Ramadan
5. Pilgrimage to Mecca or hajj
6. Jihad: Struggle for faith, “Holy War”
The Koran
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Sacred book of
Islam
Authority on all
subjects
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Religion, politics, law
and social life
Mosque
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Muslim house of
worship
Minaret: Towers
used for the “call to
prayer”
The Kaaba
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Ancient shrine
Muslims believe was
built by the Prophet
Abraham
Divisions
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In 661divisions in Islam
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Dispute over who should become
successor to the prophet or Caliph
Sunni- leader should be elected from
those capable of the job
Shiites- leader should stay within the
prophets family
The Spread of Islam
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After Muhammad’s
death Islam quickly
spread
By 661, entire
Middle East
By 732 the Arab
Empire included
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Middle East, Persia,
North Africa, and
Spain
Reasons for Success
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Arab armies were united by their beliefs
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Warriors who died in service of Islam won
a place in paradise
Riches to be had during conquest of lands
Jihad also motivated soldiers
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Protecting the religion- holy lands or
people