Islam

Founding of Islam Muhammad – founder of Islam (born 570 A.D.) Throughout his life he would meditate in the cave “Ghar Hira”. While meditating Muslims believe that Muhammad was visited by the angel Gabriel. He was given the first of his revelations that would later become the Qur’an or Koran

Founding of Islam After receiving these revelations, Mohammad tries to found his new religion in Mecca (or Makah) He is forced out of Mecca. His religion embraced in Medina Muslims capture Mecca. Ka'ba is cleansed, pilgrimage rites are Islamicized, tribes of Arabia vow allegiance to Muhammad

Five Pillars of Islam Witnessing Prayer Charity Fasting Pilgrimage- Hajj

Basic Vocabulary Islam – Means “submission to Allah” Allah – God Muslim – one who practices Islam Qur’an or Koran – Holy book of Islam (the revelations) Hadith – The deeds and sayings of Muhammad Shari’a – religious law Imam- religious leader

Founding of Islam The Qur’an was completed on paper within 20 yrs after Muhammad’s death It was checked by those who knew Muhammad. To Muslims this certifies that it has more authenticity than the Jewish and Christian books. Muslims state that the messages that were given by the prophets, (Moses, Jesus, etc.) was distorted over time before they were written down.

Spread of Islam

Sunni and Shi’a The division between Shi’a and Sunni dates back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad, and the question of who was to take over the leadership of the Muslim nation.

Sunni and Shi’a Sunni Muslims think that the new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job. The Shia Muslims believe that following the Prophet Muhammad's death, leadership should have passed directly to his cousin/son-in-law, Ali.

Sunni and Shi’a Shia Muslims believe that the Imam is sinless by nature, and that his authority is infallible as it comes directly from God. Shia Muslims often venerate the Imams as saints and perform pilgrimages to their tombs and shrines in the hopes of divine intercession. Sunni Muslims contend that leadership of the community is not a birthright, but a trust that is earned and which may be given or taken away by the people themselves.

Sunni and Shi’a Sunni Muslims make up the majority (85%) of Muslims all over the world. Significant populations of Shia Muslims can be found in Iran and Iraq, and large minority communities in Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, and Lebanon.

Shari' a Law Western law confines itself largely to matters relating to crime, contract, civil relationships and individual rights. Shari 'a is concerned with how a person should lead their lives according to God's wishes. Leaving the faith, is a very controversial issue in the Muslim world and the majority of scholars believe it is punishable by death. Under (strict interpretation of) Shari' a Law, women are required to cover all of their bodies except hands and face.

Holy Sites to Islam: Mecca Medina Jerusalem