Warm up With your partner, Brainstorm a list of six (6) words and/or phrases that come to mind for the religion of Islam. Please be appropriate.

The “BIG THREE” Religions

ISLAM

Islam Summary Islam is by far the most prominent religion in the Middle East People who practice Islam are called “ Muslims “ Islam is a very strict religion Islam is a “Monotheistic” religion Allah is the one true God and Mohammed is his last Prophet. It is against Islamic law to have any image of Allah or Mohammed. No images of either exist.

Introduction Islam is a religion which is second only to Christianity in size and is prevalent in all corners of the world. It was founded by Mohammed (AD 570 – 632) who was born in Mecca in Saudi Arabia and was to become ‘the seal of the prophets’. After revelations from God (Allah), Mohammed went on to preach the religion of the one absolute God

Size and Location Originating in Saudi Arabia, Islam has spread throughout the world and there is an estimated 1.1 billion Muslims in the world. Historically Islam has been more dominant in Asia and Africa and countries with a high population of Muslims are Indonesia, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Origins Summary Muslims believe that Mohammed is the messenger of Allah The Holiest Islamic city is Mecca, the birth place of Mohammed. Mohammed moved to Medina because the people of Mecca thought he was nuts! This was called the “ Hegira “ or great flight!

Origins The religion started in Mecca, Saudi Arabia in 7th Century AD, although God’s revelation and religion is much older, in that Muslims believe that the first prophet was Adam. His final revelation though was given to Mohammed who was the seal of the prophets and the holy words (the Qur'an/Koran) revealed to him via the angel Gabriel where the final revelation of God (Allah) to mankind.

MECCA & Medina * Medina * Mecca

Mecca at Night

Ka’bah- cube This is the site of the water well where Mecca was started

Origins Continue They recognize the other prophets such as Moses (Musa), Abraham (Ibrahim) and Jesus (Isa) but Mohammad is Allah’s final and most important prophet. There are in total 28 prophets named in the Qur'an/Koran. (22 from Old Testament and 3 from the New Testament) "Islam" is an Arabic word that includes the concept of submitting to the will of God, thereby achieving peace and security.

Holy Book: Qur’an/Koran The Qur’an/Koran is the holy text which was revealed by the angel Gabriel to Mohammad and within it covers all areas of how a Muslim should live. The Qur’an contains for a Muslim the actual words of God and the language it was revealed in, Arabic is seen as very important in order to understand the real meaning of the words.

A 700 year old Qur’an/Koran

Arabic Language

Arabic Symbol for ALLAH

Qur’an/Koran Summary The Islamic holy book is called the Qur’an/Koran The Quran/Koran is written in Arabic, the language that Mohammed received Allah’s teachings in. The Qur’an/Koran contains laws and rules of Islam. The Qur’an/Koran contains elements of the Old Testament and New Testament. The Quran is taken very seriously by Muslims

What do Muslims Believe? Muslims believe there is only one God who is the only God that can exist, he has created all things, he is all powerful, omnipotent, eternal, beyond time and is present with Muslims all the time. They believe in the books revealed by God, angels, the day of judgment, life after death, the prophets and the Prophet Muhammad was God’s messenger and his seal. 5 (Five) Pillars of Islam….

The 5 Pillars of Islam Must declare Allah as the 1 and only god, and Mohammed as his prophet. Must give alms to the poor Must make a Hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca at least once in a lifetime Pray 5 times a day facing Mecca Fast during the daylight hours of Ramadan. ( This is the month that Mohammed presented the Quran to his followers )

RAMADAN 9th Month of the Islamic Calendar Ramadan is the month when Mohammed was presented the Qur’an/Koran from Allah. Muslims must not eat, drink water, smoke or have sex during the daylight hours of Ramadan! This shows respect and self-control to Allah

Worship The main place of worship for Muslims is the Mosque (from an Arabic word meaning ‘place of prostration’). Prayers are undertaken five times a day and the person praying must always be facing towards Mecca.

The Mosque Muslims pray in Mosques Women and Men are separated in Mosques There are no representative pictures of Allah in a Mosque

Mosques from around the World

IMAM- Muslim Holy Man

Sects of Islam Islam is divided up into three sects: Sunni’s Shiite’s Sufi’s

Sunnis SUNNIS: The majority of Muslims (around 90%) belong to this moderate sect. The word Sunni refers to the practice of Mohammad. They believe the first 4 Caliphs or Supreme Religious Leaders were the rightful successors to Mohammed. They look to Mohammad’s example if situations arise which are not able to be clarified within the Qur’an/Koran.

Shiites SHIITES: They are a more fundamental group than the Sunnis. They rejected the first three caliphs (successors to Mohammad) and followed Ali who married the prophet’s daughter and was the first leader of this party. After Ali there were 12 Imams whom they followed. The last Imam disappeared in 940 and will return at the end of the world. They claim that they are the true followers of Islam. The Shi’a faith is the state religion in Iran.

Sufis SUFIS: They are the mystic sect of Islam. They seek a personal relationship with Allah and do not believe in a rigid interpretation of the Qur’an/Koran.

Jerusalem, Israel is a sacred city for Muslims, Jews and Christians Muslims and Jews both think that Jerusalem is rightfully theirs and have fought wars over this holy land for a 1000 yrs. Even Today!

Dome of the Rock

Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem For Moslems, the rock was sanctified by the story of the Prophet Mohammed's Miraaj or Night Journey to Jerusalem and back to Mecca. From the top of the rock, Mohammed began his ascent to Heaven.

The Dome of the Rock was built by Muslims in 684 to honor Mohammed The Dome of the Rock was built by Muslims in 684 to honor Mohammed. Still looks good 1300 years later !