THE RISE OF ISLAM The religion of Islam began with an ethnic group known as the Arabs… They arose in the Arabian Peninsula and influenced Western Asia and beyond. They arose in the Arabian Peninsula and influenced Western Asia and beyond. They were a nomadic, Semitic-speaking people who lived in the arid climate of the Arabian Peninsula. They were a nomadic, Semitic-speaking people who lived in the arid climate of the Arabian Peninsula. The environment was harsh and they were organized into tribes and were led by a sheikh, who was chosen from a council of elders. The environment was harsh and they were organized into tribes and were led by a sheikh, who was chosen from a council of elders. The tribes were independent, but worked together as a community. The tribes were independent, but worked together as a community.

EARLY RELIGION Before Islam, many Arabs were polytheistic. Others recognized a chief, or supreme, god who they called Allah which is Arabic for “God.” Allah was symbolized by a sacred stone, called the Black Stone, which is thought to be given to man by Allah at the creation of the world. This stone was placed as a corner stone of a shrine called the Kaaba. This shrine is located in the city of Makkah (Mecca) in what is now Saudi Arabia.

THE LIFE OF MUHAMMAD AND HIS REVELATION The founder of Islam was a man named Muhammad. He was born in Makkah (Mecca) to a merchant family. His parents died when he was young and he ended up living with his uncle who was a merchant and he became a caravan manager. Over time, he found the richness and corruption of the merchants and townspeople to be troubling. He decided to visit the hills to meditate. Muslims believe that while he was meditating in the hills he received revelations from God through the Angel Gabriel.

THE LIFE OF MUHAMMAD AND HIS REVELATION (CONT’D) Muslims believe that the Angel Gabriel told Muhammad to recite what he heard, it was believed that Allah had already revealed himself through Moses and Jesus, but now had a final revelation for man. This final revelation became the religion of Islam, which means “submission to the will of God.”

THE QURAN (KORAN) The revelations to Muhammad were written down by scribes and became known as The Quran (Koran), which is the holy book of Islam. The Quran contains ethical guidelines and laws by which Muslims (followers of Islam)should live their lives.

THE NATURE OF THE QURAN The Quran is written in Arabic, which was the language of Muhammad. The Quran is considered to only be true when it is written in its original language. Translations are thought to lose the true meaning of the original words which are believed to be a direct revelation from God. The Muslim observance of the holy holiday Ramadan is to commemorate the recording of the holy text.

AFTER THE REVELATION After Muhammad received his revelation he went to his wife, who was his first convert to the new religion. He began to try to convert the people of Makkah to his message, but he was unsuccessful. After three years he was forced to go to the city of Yathrib, which later became Medina. This flight, or migration, is known as the Hijrah and marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. This was in the year 622.

ACCEPTANCE IN MEDINA AND TAKE OVER OF MECCA In Yathrib, renamed Medina (which means “the city of the prophet”), Muhammad was accepted and gained followers. One of the groups which converted to the new religion of Islam were the Bedouins who were desert Arabs. This new community became the first to practice the religion. After several years, Muhammad became both a spiritual and political leader. There was not an idea of the separation of church and state. He raised an army and conquered the city of Makkah.

THE KAABA After Muhammad took the city of Makkah, he cleansed the Kaaba of idols and dedicated it to Allah, who he taught was the one true God. All Muslims are encouraged to make a pilgrimage to Makkah, known as the Hajj at least once in their life, if they are physically and financially able.

THE TEACHINGS OF MUHAMMAD Islam is monotheistic, just like Judaism and Christianity. There is only one God, Allah. Muslims believe that Islam was God’s final revelation for mankind. Muslims feel that in order to achieve salvation that they must obey the will of Allah. In order to do this they must follow the five major principles of Islam known as the Five Pillars of Islam. Islam is seen not just as a religion, but as a way of life.

THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM 1.) Declaration of Faith Muslims must state that there is no other God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet. Muslims must state that there is no other God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet. 2.) Daily Prayer Muslims must pray five times a day facing the Kaaba in Mecca: Muslims must pray five times a day facing the Kaaba in Mecca: Pre-Dawn Pre-Dawn Noon Noon Afternoon Afternoon Sunset Sunset Evening Evening

THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM 3.) Charity Muslims are supposed to help others and donate part of their income to charity. Muslims are supposed to help others and donate part of their income to charity. 4.) Fasting  Ramadan Muslims must fast from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan which celebrates the recording of the Quran. Muslims must fast from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan which celebrates the recording of the Quran. 5.) Pilgrimage or Hajj Once in a lifetime, if they are physically and financially able, Muslims are to journey to Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia and perform the rituals of the Hajj. Once in a lifetime, if they are physically and financially able, Muslims are to journey to Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia and perform the rituals of the Hajj.

ISLAMIC LAW After the death of Muhammad there were further interpretations of his teachings. These are known as the Hadith. There are different versions of the Hadith for different branches of Islam. These teachings were further interpreted in the Shari’ah. This is a set of laws which regulate many aspects of Muslim life. It does not separate between church and state and covers family life, business, government, and moral conduct. Muslims are expected to practice honesty and justice in dealing with others and are forbidden to gamble, eat pork, drink alcohol, or engage in dishonest behavior.

TERMS TO KNOW Quran (Koran): holy book of Islam Quran (Koran): holy book of Islam Muslim: a follower of Islam Muslim: a follower of Islam Mosque: a Muslim house of worship Mosque: a Muslim house of worship Minarets: the towers located on a Mosque from which Muslims are called to pray five times a day. Minarets: the towers located on a Mosque from which Muslims are called to pray five times a day.

LOCATIONS TO KNOW Red Sea Arabian Peninsula Mecca (Mekkah) Medina (Yathrib) Arabian Sea Persian Gulf Mediterranean Sea