Origins of Islam
Islam starts in Arabia
The Life of Muhammad
Muhammad’s Early Life Born in 570Ad He was an Arab merchant in Mecca Married to his employer, Khadjuh who was almost twice his age Owned a very successful caravan business
At the age of 40 Muhammad began to spend a lot of time alone at Mt. Hira; a mountain outside of his home, Mecca.Revelations
Revelations The angel Gabriel came to him at Mt. Hira and gave him the word of Allah, Islam’s God. This was Muhammad’s revelation or vision.
Muhammad In 613 began to preach the word of Allah. Preached there is only one God, Allah, before whom all believers are equal.
Muhammad taught that there is only one God but also taught about a day of judgment.
He was forced to leave Mecca so he went to Medina there he gathered a large following
Muhammad in Mecca After the people of Mecca attacked Muhammad’s Medina several times he in return attacked Mecca in 628AD
Muhammad in Mecca Defeated the people of Mecca peacefully and offered forgiveness to all people.
About 2 million Muslims from more that 70 countries journey to the holy city of Mecca each year to make the spiritual pilgrimage
Islam spread rapidly across Africa and into Spain
Beliefs, Traditions and Customs of Islam Monotheism = Allah
The Quran or Koran Islam’s holy text or Holy Book
The Quran The Koran is the law of Islam Should not eat pork, gamble, drink liquor. Describes the five pillars of faith.
Five Pillars of Islam 1. The profession of faith in Allah 2. Prayer 3. The paying of alms 4. Fasting 5. The Pilgrimage to 6. Mecca (Hajj)
The profession of faith in Allah "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his Prophet"
Prayer Muslims are obliged to perform ritual prayers five times a day: Between dawn and sunrise After midday Midway between midday and sunset Right after sunset Approximately one hour after sunset One must pray in the direction of Mecca Go the Mosque on Fridays
The paying of alms Generally you give around 2.5% of the total savings for a rich man working in trade or industry. Must give to the poor and needy
Fasting Refraining from eating, drinking or satisfying sexual needs from dawn to dusk in the month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar.
The Pilgrimage to Mecca or Hajj All Muslims that have the financial and physical means to perform hajj are required to do so at least once in their lifetimes.
Hajj= a pilgrimage to Meeca
MOSQUES : places of worship for Muslims. Typical features are domes and minarets DOME MINARETS
Islam and Muslims speak Arabic
Arabic Language spread with trade
Islam accepted Judeo / Christian prophets Moses Jesus
Diffusion (spread) along trade routes
Islam expanded over great distances Desert environmentsMountain barriers Sahara Desert Kush Mtns.
Islam spread into Spain
Islam spread because of the weak Byzantine and Persian Empires
Islamic Turning Points
Sunni – Shi’a division or split
Sunni Muslims are very moderate
Shi’a or Shiite Muslims are very extreme
Muslim conquest of Jerusalem and Damascus
Muslim defeat at the battle of Tours
Charles Martel stopped the Muslim Advance into Europe
The city of Jerusalem is considered sacred ground by three major world religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
The Dome of the Rock
The Church of the Holy Sepulcher This church was built on the site where Christians believe that Jesus Christ was crucified.
Monotheistic Belief Systems Belief System ChristianityJudaismIslam Where do people worship What is the holy book called What day of the week do followers worship What holiday is celebrated Deity / Leader
Monotheistic Belief Systems Belief System ChristianityJudaismIslam Where do people worship ChurchSynagogueMosque What is the holy book called What day of the week do followers worship What holiday is celebrated Deity / Leader
Monotheistic Belief Systems Belief System ChristianityJudaismIslam Where do people worship ChurchSynagogueMosque What is the holy book called BibleTorahKoran What day of the week do followers worship What holiday is celebrated Deity / Leader
Monotheistic Belief Systems Belief System ChristianityJudaismIslam Where do people worship ChurchSynagogueMosque What is the holy book called BibleTorahKoran What day of the week do followers worship SundaySaturdayFriday What holiday is celebrated Deity / Leader
Monotheistic Belief Systems Belief System ChristianityJudaismIslam Where do people worship ChurchSynagogueMosque What is the holy book called BibleTorahKoran What day of the week do followers worship SundaySaturdayFriday What holiday is celebrated LentYom KippurRamadan Deity / Leader
Monotheistic Belief Systems Belief System ChristianityJudaismIslam Where do people worship ChurchSynagogueMosque What is the holy book called BibleTorahKoran What day of the week do followers worship SundaySaturdayFriday What holiday is celebrated LentYom KippurRamadan Deity / Leader God / JesusGod / MosesGod / Muhammad