Transcript Intro to Islam PPT - Supernovas

The Rise of Islam
European Middle Ages
Mr. Blais
The Islamic World
Early Arabia
• The Bedouins were early
nomadic herders of the
Arabian Peninsula
• They crisscrossed the
desert landscape in search
of seasonal pasturelands.
• Bedouins were also good
warriors for they
regularly had to fight for
pasturelands.
Mecca
• Mecca was a thriving
market town in the 6th
century.
• Goods from as far as Africa
and India passed through
the markets of Mecca.
• Others came to worship at
the Kaaba. A shrine that
was, at the time, decorated
with statues of gods and
goddesses
• The Kaaba is now the
central shrine of Islam.
Muhammad
• He was born in Mecca around 570
C.E.
• He became a very successful
merchant and later married a wealthy
business women named Khadija.
• When he was 40 he is said to have
heard the voice of the angel Gabriel
tell him to “proclaim” the message of
God.
• Convinced by his wife to take up the
call Muhammad devoted the rest of
his life to spreading Islam.
There won’t be a
picture here
because it is
STRICKLY
forbidden to
have any
representations
of the Prophet
Muhammad.
Early Islam
• Meccan merchants were angered by
Muhammad and feared his new
prophecies would disrupt trade.
• Muhammad was forced to leave
Mecca and went to Yathrib (modern
day Medina) to spread his message.
This journey is known as the hijrah.
• In Medina, Muhammad gained
many converts to Islam.
• After eight years Muhammad
returned to Mecca with an army,
took the city, and destroyed the
idols in the Kaaba.
The Message of Islam
• Islam means ‘submission’
• Muslim means ‘one who submits to
God’
• Muslims believe in one God known
as Allah.
• The Quran is the holy book of
Islam.
• Muslims believe people are
responsible for their actions and
that their will be a judgment day.
• Muslims have no priests or
mediators between God and the
people.
The Five Pillars of Islam
• These are the five basic duties
accepted by all Muslims:
– 1. Declaration of faith: “There is
no god but Allah, and
Muhammad is his prophet.”
– 2. Prayer: Five times a day facing
toward Mecca, usually at a
mosque or house of worship
– 3. Giving Alms: Giving to the
poor and needy
– 4. Fasting: 1 month a year called
Ramadan.
– 5. Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca
(once in your lifetime)
The Quran
• Muslims believe the Quran
contains the word of God as
revealed to Muhammad.
• It is the final authority on all
matters, including how to live
your life ethically, honestly,
and generously.
• Muslims also believe the only
true Quran is written in
Arabic, therefore all converts
learn Arabic.
The Sharia
• This is the name of the Islamic
law code.
• It regulates moral conduct,
government, family life, business
practices, and other aspects of
Muslim life.
• This law code does not separate
religion from criminal and civil
law.
• This makes Islam not only a
religion, but also a way of life.
People of the
Book
• To Muslims, Jews and Christians
are seen as ‘People of the Book’
• Jews and Christians enjoyed
religious freedom in early Muslim
society.
• Muslims also believe the Torah
and the Bible have partial
revelations from God but that the
Quran is his final revelation.
• Muslims, Jews, and Christians all:
– Believe in the same God
– Recognize prophets such as
Abraham, Moses, and Jesus
– Believe in heaven, hell, and a
judgment day.
The Women of Islam
• Islam gives spiritual equality to women
and men
• In early Islamic society women were
given the right to inherit property, get an
education, and in some cases get a
divorce.
• However, in society men and women have
very separate roles and status.
• Over time Muslims adopted Persian and
Byzantine practices of veiling women and
keeping them in one part of the home.
• Today the veiling and seclusion varies
significantly depending on a woman’s
social class and what country she lives in.