The world’s second-largest religion Islam The world’s second-largest religion Are your classroom colors different than what you see in this template? That’s OK! Click on Design -> Variants (the down arrow) -> Pick the color scheme that works for you! Feel free to change any “You will…” and “I will…” statements to ensure they align with your classroom procedures and rules!

Overview Muslims believe that they worship the same God (“Allah” means God in Arabic) as Jews and Christians Christians disagree Muhammad received God’s final revelation and is the “seal of the prophets” “Islam” means “submission” – Muslims, or followers of Islam, are those who submit to God’s will

Pre-Islamic (5th & 6th Centuries CE) Arabia -Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism all existed -Local tribal polytheisms also prevalent

The Origins of Islam Arabian Peninsula – Bedouins (nomadic herdsmen) Mecca (Saudi Arabia) founded by Umayyad clan of a Bedouin tribe Ka’ba – shrine that held the Black Stone and many idols of their gods Thousands traveled to Mecca every year to visit the shrine = $$$$$ Bedouin religion was a blend of animism and polytheism

Mecca & Ka’ba

Muhammad the Prophet 570 – 632 CE Trader – was exposed to many different belief systems along his travels Married his business manager Khadijah She died; took 10 more wives

Revelations and the Start of Islam Muhammad visited by angel Gabriel Spiritual visions – proclaimed that there was only one God (Allah) This and later revelations eventually transcribed in Qur’an Comes to believe that he is completing the prophecy of Jewish people Not Christians – ends with Jesus as Savior Political leaders and merchants were threatened by him – why? Muhammad and his followers fled to Medina (the “hijrah” and Year One of the Islamic calendar)

Muhammad = religious prophet + political leader + military organizer

Return to Mecca In 629, Muhammad returns and conquers Mecca Returned to Mecca with an army – destroyed the idols on the Ka’ba, leaving only the Black Stone to symbolize Allah Effectively becomes leader of Arabia He gained support uniting the various clans under the banner of Islam before his death Dies in 632 due to ongoing effects of earlier poisoning in Medina

Islamic Beliefs Qur’an – book of Muhammad’s revelations (recorded 650 CE) According to Muslims, the Qur’an is the literal word of Allah (no speaking of God through the prophets like Jewish and Christian Holy Texts, even though those are also considered the Word of God). What does this mean for Islam? Since the Qur’an is the word of God, it is not supposed to be interpreted, questioned, or debated in any way. This makes it more difficult for Islam to adapt to new ideas/eras than the other religions.

Islamic Beliefs “Eternal, Absolute, Irrevocable” to devout Muslims Zero room for interpretation Memorization considered highest act of devotion/learning

Islamic Beliefs Hadith - collection of stories and sayings of Muhammad Some take the Hadith as Scripture; some don’t Shari’a – law based on beliefs in the Qur’an and Hadith Accepted many beliefs of Jews and Christians (“People of the Book”) – Muslims hail Muhammad as the Seal of the Prophets (last of the many prophets sent by God) Since the Qur’an is the word of God, it is not supposed to be interpreted, questioned, or debated in any way. This makes it more difficult for Islam to adapt to new ideas/eras than the other religions.

Five Pillars of Faith Confession of faith Prayer (5 times daily, facing Mecca) Fasting (One month – Ramadan – from sunup to sundown) Alms Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca)

Spread of Islam The area was not united, so Islam serves as the “glue” that unites the region From its foundation, Islam is a political and religious force Rapidly spreads through M. East, N. Africa, S. Europe, C. and S. Asia Military (creating empire), trade, missionary aspects all causes Universalizing religion

Cordoba, Spain & Semarang, Indonesia

Sunni/Shia Split 85-90% of Muslims Shia (Shi’ite) 85-90% of Muslims Traditionally emphasize Qur’an and Hadith (commentary by/on Muhammad) 10-15% of Muslims (majority in Iraq, Iran) believe descendants of Muhammad’s cousin, Ali, should lead the faithful recognize divinely inspired leaders post-Muhammad, called imams believe early Sunnis tampered with Qur’an, so look for hidden meanings

Fundamentalist Islam ISIS or ISIL (or Boko Haram, in northern Africa) Two Islamic Caliphates (Empires) in the world: the Umayyad and the Abbasid Fell, and Islam has not been united under the banner of one empire since then ISIS is trying to reinstate an Islamic Caliphate centered around its homeland