Islam

The Prophet Muhammad, c. 570 – 632  Received revelations of God’s word from the Angel Gabriel between 610 and his death  Words repeated to others  Written down shortly after his death as the Koran (Qur’an)  Chosen as the “final prophet”  Not new revelations  Accepted Jewish and Christian prophets (Abraham, Moses, Jesus, etc.)  Islam (submission to God)

Timeline of Early Islam 570—Muhammad born 610—receives his first revelation 622—Hijrah (escape) to Medina 630—Muhammad re-enters Mecca 632—Death of the Prophet 632 – 680—The First Five (“Rightly Guided”) Caliphs

Five Pillars of Islam Shahadah – testimony of faith Salah – Prayer five times a day Zakah – Charity Sawm – Fasting during Ramadan Hajj - Pilgrimage

Six Fundamental Beliefs of Islam A single, indivisible God. “Allah” is Arabic for God Angels Divine scriptures – Torah, Psalms, Bible, Qu’ran; “people of the book” Messengers of God – Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, Mohammad (Again – Muhammad’s message is final universal one for humanity) Day of Judgement Supremacy of God’s will

Islam by 750

The Sunni/Shi’a Split  Shia’s do not recognize the 1 st three caliphs  Ali (4 th and cousin of Muhammad) is seen as legitimate  Shia’s argue that all caliphs must come from lineage of The Prophet  Shi’a imams are not just prayer leaders; they are the political and spiritual authorities, much like the Prophet  Some minor differences in rituals  Today’s world: 85% Sunni  Iran (90%), Iraq, Bahrain are majority Shi’a

Shari’ah “Islamic Law” – System of civil laws based on the Qur’an and Islam – The Qur’an is as much a social and political as religious guide Purpose of the State – To preserve and expand Islam – To provide for justice for the masses of subjects Fully a component of Shari’ah Applied to non-Muslims as well

Tolerance Minority Groups – Explicit acceptance of “People of the Book” – Historical tolerance (Mughal and Ottoman Empires Not all of Shar’iah applied to non-Muslims Jizya tax, but large degree of self-rule Ancient Scholarship – “House of Wisdom” in Baghdad – Kept alive the scholarship of Greco-Romans

Islam Nuts ‘n’ Bolts From the Hijra (escape) in 622 C. E. Worldwide population of 1.3 billion – 85% Sunni; 15% Shi’a – Sufis (mystical, direct contact with the Holy) within both major sects Population Centers: – Indonesia: 220 million – South Asia (Subcontinent) 450 million – Arab countries: 400 million – United States: 2-4 Million

Islamic Holy Days and Celebrations Al-hijra/Muharram – Muslim New Year, the beginning of the first lunar month ‘Ashura – recalls event c. 680 CE in Iraq, martyrdom of ~70 individuals who refused to submit to authority of the Caliph, one of martyrs was Imam Husein, youngest grandson of Muhammad Ramadan – holiest period in the Islamic year; during 9 th lunar month; month in which Quran was revealed to Muhammad, fast sunup to sundown Id al-Fitr (a.k.a. “Id”) first day of 10 th lunar month—i.e. Day after Ramadan. Rejoicing, gift giving, house decorating

Islamic Holy Days and Celebrations Id al-Adha (a.k.a. the Feast of Sacrifice or Day of Sacrifice) during 12 th month of Islamic year during the season of the Hajj. It recalls the day when Abraham intended to follow the instructions of God, and sacrifice his son Ishmael. (Muslims believe that Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his elder son Ishmael; Judeo-Christians believe that Isaac was involved in the near sacrifice)