WARM UP Using your notes on Buddhism, answer the following review questions: What religion was Siddhartha as a child? What was the prophecy that was given to him? What four things did Siddhartha see when he left the palace on his 4 voyages? What are the four noble truths? What is nirvana?

Islam

Islam Basics *World’s 2nd largest religion ~1.5 Billion *Dominant in Middle East, Northern Africa

Islam Basics *Followers called Muslims *Worship in mosques *Founder = Muhammad

Life of Muhammad From Mecca, Saudi Arabia Lived in 600’s AD *Had a revelation *Went to a cave to pray *Angel Gabriel spoke to him *Started sharing what he heard

Life of Muhammad *Gained followers *Mecca’s leaders didn’t like him getting powerful *They tried to kill him *Muhammad fled to Medina

Life of Muhammad *Became leader of Medina *Enemies from Mecca attacked *Defeated them, conquered most of Arabia *Died in 632; followers fought over who should become leader

Beliefs *Monotheistic *God sent Moses, Jesus, as messengers *Same god as Jews, Christians *Allah = Arabic for God *God sent Moses, Jesus, as messengers *Muhammad is his final messenger

Beliefs *Mecca = Muhammad’s hometown; most sacred city in Islam *Quran = holy text of Islam; what Angel Gabriel said to Muhammad in the cave *Ramadan = month Muhammad spent in cave; most holy time in Islam, spent fasting and praying

Beliefs *5 pillars of Islam 1. Proclaim belief in God, Muhammad as his messenger 2. Pray facing Mecca 5 times per day 3. Fast during Ramadan 4. Give to the poor 5. Go on pilgrimage to Mecca

Denominations *Based on who they think inherited leadership from Muhammad *Sunni – believe leadership went to best scholar of Islam ~75 % of Muslims *Shia – believe leadership stayed in Muhammad’s family ~25 %; mostly in Iran