The Origins and Evolutions of the Religion

 Arabia in the 7 th century CE was a place of many religions.  Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, and various pagan faiths coexisted across the landscape.  In the city of Mecca was a religious shrine called the Ka’ba ( the cube.)  Pilgrims would visit this shrine, which they believed to house their deity, and worship there.

 Muhammad, the prophet, was born around the year 570 CE.  During his early life, Muhammad was a respected and successful trader in Arabia.  In the year 610, at the age of forty, Muhammad was meditating in a cave at Hira (outside of Mecca) when the angel Gabriel appeared before him.  Gabriel told Muhammad to recite the word of God.

 Muhammad’s prophecy began to gather a small group of devoted followers in Mecca.  The Quraysh, a powerful family in Mecca, felt threatened by Muhammad’s message.  Muhammad and his followers fled the city of Mecca and traveled to the city of Yathrib.  Once arriving in Yathrib, Muhammad changed the name of the city to Medina, “the city of the prophet.”  This journey by Muhammad from Mecca to Medina is known as the Hijra.  Dates in the Muslim calendar are all calculated from the Hijra in 622 CE, which is therefore 1 AH (After Hijra.)

 A period of missionary, political, and military activity then followed.  Muhammad was able to eventually defeat the Quraysh and gain control of Mecca.  Muhammad entered the Ka’ba and destroyed the religious idols at the shrine – thereby dedicating the entire city to God.  By the time of Muhammad’s death in 632 CE, Islam was established in most of the Arabian Peninsula.

 Muslims believe that Muhammad was God’s final prophet and that the revelation given to him has never been corrupted, so there is no need for further revelation.  Islam – “to submit”  Muslim – “one who submits”

 Islamic societies are governed by the following:  The Koran – the actual word of God  Hadith – Stories and teachings from Muhammad  Some hadiths are widely accepted and supported by Islamic scholars; others are strongly disputed or refuted (e.g. 72 virgins)  Shariah – Islamic law  Based on interpretation and various widely

 The death of Muhammad brought many questions to Islam – primarily who would lead the people next.  The leader of Islam is called a Caliph.  Some of his followers believed that the faith should be chosen democratically based on merit (these will be known as Sunnis ).  Others wanted to follow the leadership of Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law.  Sh’ia Muslims believe that the teachings of Islam should be led by a hereditary successor of Muhammad.

 Muslims believe the Koran (or Qur’an) was written by God and revealed to Muhammad at intervals from the time of his first vision at the age of 40 until he died at the age of 62.  The Qur’an was assembled from the teachings of Muhammad and collected into one volume after his death.  The Koran is read and studied in the original Arabic (translations are never used in worship.)

 The first pillar of Islam is the daily prayer ( salat ) – occurs five times during the course of the day.  Before sunrise  After midday  Late afternoon  At sunset  At night  Daily prayer is called by the muezzin (worship leader) using the minaret, a large mosque tower.

 A mosque is a Muslim place of worship.

 The second pillar of Islam is the payment of alms ( zakat ) to the poor.  Zakat is a tax on the community which is distributed to the poor to ensure their care and protection.

 The third pillar of Islam is the month-long Muslim fast ( sawm ) during the month of Ramadan.  During Ramadan an adult Muslim refrains from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset.  This period of fasting is designed to create a sense of community and to clear the body in order to be filled with the sprit of God.  Eid al-Fitr ( the breaking of the fast ) is celebrated at the end of Ramadan and is one of the most important holidays in Islam.

 The fourth pillar of Islam is the pilgrimage to Mecca ( Hajj.)  If they can afford it all Muslims are expected to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.

 The fifth pillar of Islam is the declaration of faith ( shahadah.)  The declaration of faith claims, “There is no god but God and Muhammad is his prophet.”  The Arabic word for God is Allah.  These words are repeated in daily prayer and are written on Muslim buildings.  This is the core belief of Islam as defined by the prophet himself.