Islam  An Abrahamic Religion  Muslims are strict monotheists.  They believe in the Judeo- Christian God, which they call Allah.  Muslims believe that the Torah and the Bible, like the Qur’an, is the word of God. People of the Book

Abraham’s Genealogy ABRAHAM SARAH HAGAR Isaac Esau Jacob 12 Tribes of Israel Ishmael 12 Arabian Tribes

The Prophetic Tradition Adam Noah Abraham Moses Jesus Muhammad

Early History of Islam Islam was founded in present day Saudi Arabia in the 600s C.E.Islam was founded in present day Saudi Arabia in the 600s C.E. Muhammad was a successful merchant in Mecca, who was upset that people were worshipping idols (pagan statues) and were corrupt.Muhammad was a successful merchant in Mecca, who was upset that people were worshipping idols (pagan statues) and were corrupt. When he was 40 he went to a desert cave and meditated.When he was 40 he went to a desert cave and meditated. The angel, Gabriel, visited him in the desert and told him to do God’s work.The angel, Gabriel, visited him in the desert and told him to do God’s work.

Muhammad received the word of God and with encouragement from his wife (Khadija) started to devote the rest of his life to spread Islam.Muhammad received the word of God and with encouragement from his wife (Khadija) started to devote the rest of his life to spread Islam. Many people did not like him in and in 622 C.E. he fled Mecca with his followers to Medina.Many people did not like him in and in 622 C.E. he fled Mecca with his followers to Medina. 622 C.E. became the first year in the Muslim calendar.622 C.E. became the first year in the Muslim calendar.

In 630 C.E. Muhammad returned to Mecca and was successful in taking over the city.In 630 C.E. Muhammad returned to Mecca and was successful in taking over the city. Muhammad worked to unite the Arabs under Islam.Muhammad worked to unite the Arabs under Islam. Muhammad died in 632 C.E.Muhammad died in 632 C.E.

The Origins of the Qur’an  Muhammad received his first revelation from the angel Gabriel in the Cave of Hira in 610.  622  Hijrah  Muhammad flees Mecca for Medina. * The beginning of the Muslim calendar (1 A.H.)  Muhammad’s revelations were compiled into the Qur’an after his death.

Sacred Text  The Qur’an = Muslims believe it contains the word of God.  114 suras (chapters).  In the name of Allah, the compassionate, the merciful.  Written in Arabic.

1. The Shahada 1 1  The profession of faith: There is no god worthy of worship except God, and Muhammad is His Messenger [or Prophet]. There is no god worthy of worship except God, and Muhammad is His Messenger [or Prophet].

2. The Salat 2 2  The mandatory prayers performed 5 times a day: * dawn * noon * mid-afternoon * sunset * late evening  Wash before praying.  Face Mecca and use a prayer rug.

 The call to prayer is sung by the muezzin from the minaret, roof or doorway of the mosque.  The noon prayer must take place in a mosque only on Friday, the Muslim holy day.

3. The Zakat 3 3  Almsgiving (charitable donations).  Muslims believe that all things belong to God.  Zakat means both “purification” and “growth.”  About 2.5% of your income.

4. The Sawm 4 4  Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, 9 th month of Islamic calendar.  Considered a method of self purification.  No eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.

5. The Hajj 5 5  The pilgrimage to Mecca.  Must be done at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime.  2-3 million Muslims make the pilgrimage every year.

Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Two main sects of Islam Sunnis MajorityMajority Believe that successors to Muhammad should be chosen by elected consensus.Believe that successors to Muhammad should be chosen by elected consensus. Shiites MinorityMinority Believe Muslim leaders should be descendants of Muhammad’s son- in-law Ali.Believe Muslim leaders should be descendants of Muhammad’s son- in-law Ali.

The Mosque  The Muslim place of worship.

The Dome of the Rock Mosque in Jerusalem Mount Moriah Rock is where Muhammad ascended into heaven.

The Arabic word for mosque is masjid, which means “place of prostration.” Prostration = is the placement of the body in a submissive position Any open area may be used as a place of prayer and referred to as a masjid. No human or divine images, no stain glass, statues of angels or Muhammad.

Prayer Hall

Other Islamic Religious Practices  No alcohol or pork.  No gambling.  Sharia  body of Islamic law to regulate daily living.  Three holiest cities in Islam: * Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem.

Essential Question: Why was Islam able to spread so quickly and convert so many to the new religion?

The Spread of Islam  Easy to learn and practice.  No priesthood.  Teaches equality.  Non-Muslims, who were “People of the Book,” were allowed religious freedom, but paid additional taxes.  Easily “portable”  nomads & trade routes.  Jihad (“Holy War”) against pagans and other non-believers (“infidels”).

Muslims in the World Today

Countries with the Largest Muslim Populations 1.Indonesia183,000,0006.Iran62,000,000 2.Pakistan134,000,0007.Egypt59,000,000 3.India121,000,0008.Nigeria53,000,000 4.Bangladesh114,000,0009.Algeria31,000,000 5.Turkey66,000,00010.Morocco29,000,000 Arabs make up only 20% of the total Muslim population of the world. 1.3 billion people on the planet!

Muslims in America

Islamic Cultural Center of New York City opened April 15, 1991

Traditional Clothing MEN Long-sleeve tunic over baggy pants or a loose fitting gown Head cap Trimmed beard and mustache WOMEN Long skirt or loose fitting pants, long sleeves, head cover over the neck and shoulders Some more extremist countries require a head veil but not all