Islam “Muhammad” in Arabic “Allah” in Arabic

The Prophet Muhammad 570 AD – born in Mecca & became merchant 610 – received first Revelation from angel Gabriel (verses “in his heart”) Mission: To restore original strict monotheism 610 to 620 – Family initially his only followers, but it grew fled Mecca to Medina (merchants); beginning of Islamic calendar 630 – Returned to Mecca after conquering it in 8 year war Arabia unified by Muhammad’s death; succeeded by Abu Bakr (1 st Caliph) – not his son, Ali

Muhammad, the Prophet 570 AD - born in Arab peninsula Family of merchants from Mecca (town) Religious practice was all over the place (pagan, christian, etc) Ka’aba – formerly dedicated by Abraham to Yahweh; temple later served pagan gods Place of annual pilgrimage, for Arabs

Muhammad, the Prophet Muhammad was a reflective man, would spend time alone in Cave Hira 610 AD – Muhammad received revelation from Archangel Gabriel Occurred during Ramadan Revelation of Qu’ran to Muhammad Message: people had lost true way to worship God (Allah); revelations were the way he wanted to be worshipped Cave Hira – location of revelations

Muhammad, the Prophet Revelations occurred for 6 months Family, followers adopted new ways Muhammad spent next ten years teaching new ideas 620 AD – M. ejected from Mecca; went to Medina & spent next 8 years in war vs. Mecca 632 AD – died, ascended to Heaven Coverage of Islam, 632 AD

Spread of Islam, AD By 642, Muslim Arabs had conquered from Egypt to Persia By 656, from Tripoli to Pakistan In 661, 4 th Caliph, Ali, died – split in Sunni, Shia By 711, Arabs invaded Spain, India In 732, defeat of Arabs at Tours

Beliefs: Five Pillars of Islam Shahada Declaration of Faith “There is no God but Allah & Muhammad is his Prophet” Salat Mandatory prayer 5 times a day, towards Mecca (connect to God) Zakat 2.5% tithe to charity Sawm Fasting during Ramadan (purify) Hajj Once in life = pilgrimage to Mecca Muslims performing the Salat The hajj

Inherent Appeal of Islam Simplicity of belief: follow 5 pillars = salvation Equality for believers All promised salvation All equal, whether earliest member or latest conquest High moral teachings Strict moral code; very little gray Respect for “People of the Book” Christians, Jews not forced to convert BUT special tax on Christians & Jews who didn’t convert (dhimmi); wear special clothing, acknowledge Muslim superiority, severe legal restrictions (2 nd class citizens) Forced conversion of pagans (non Abrahamic people) – convert or die

Sources of Islamic Teaching Qu’ran (revelations of God made to Muhammad) Taught by oral repetition Learn in Arabic (truest translation of revelations) “Perfection” of monotheistic teachings about God Hadith (traditions relating to life, deeds of Muhammad) Important tools for determining how Muslims should live (WWMD?) First written down in 7 th C. Sharia (Islamic law) Regulations of public, private life Traditional way of living

Split in Islam, circa 700 AD Split in Muslim world – Why? Succession to Caliphate as successor to Muhammad Incorporation of Non-Koran elements (Expansion of Islam; Muslims became relaxed in observance) Worldliness of Caliphs Discrimination against non-Arab Persians Differences between Sunni (“beaten path”) and Shia (“faction”) – see packet!

Islam Today Second largest religion in the world 1.3 billion Muslims (20% world’s population) Fastest growing religion in the world 43 countries with Muslim majority populations (SE Asia; S. Asia; Middle East; N. Africa; Eastern Europe)

Muslim Populations Around the World 1. Indonesia (183 million) 2. Pakistan (134 million) 3. India (121 million) 4. Bangladesh (114 million) 5. Turkey (66 million) 6. Iran (62 million) 7. Egypt (59 million) 8. Nigeria (53 million) 9. Algeria (31 million) 10. Morocco (29 million) Arabs make up only 20% of the total Muslim population of the world

Where do Muslims come from?

Muslims in America 7 Million Muslims in America Second largest religion in America Fastest growing religion in America First Islamic people arrived through slave trade Muslim Populations in States (% of Muslim pop, nationwide) 1. California (20%, or 1.4 million) 2. New York (16%, or 1 million) 3. Illinois (8%, ½ million) 4. New Jersey and Indiana (4%, or ¼ million each) 5. Michigan, Virginia, Texas, Ohio (3%, or 1/5 million each)