Islam

Understanding Islam

Islam Identifications Muslim: person who follows Islam Ka’aba: Islam’s holiest shrine – located in Mecca – Arabic for cube Qu’ran: secret text, holy book of Islam Mecca: birth place of Islam, holiest city, Saudi Arabia Mosque: Muslim house of worship 4

Islam Identifications Allah: Arabic for God same as J and C Medina: first Islamic community, 2 nd Holy city, Muhammad gains political and religious power Hejira: 622 – Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Medina; marks first expansion of Islam Jerusalem: 3 rd Holiest city to Islam – Dome of the Rock

Islam Identifications 2. What does Islam mean? Islam means to “submission.” In this case, to God 3. Identify and explain the Five Pillars of Islam. 1. Declaration of Faith 2. Prayer: 5 times per day: must face Mecca 3. Charity: must help the poor and the old 4. Fasting: during the month of Ramadan: sun-up to sun- down: 5. Pilgrimage (Hajj): must visit Mecca once in their life 6

The Rise and Spread of Islam

Arabia These Arab people were pagans, meaning they worshipped many gods. The center of Arabic pagan worship was in a town called Mecca. Pilgrims would travel to Mecca to worship the Kaaba The Kaaba: sacred shine that housed images of all the Arab gods. Also contained a black stone- probably a meteorite, which the Arabs thought was sent from heaven

The ancient Ka’aba in Mecca

Muhammad: Founder of Islam Muhammad was born in Mecca about 570. His parents died when he was very young, but he was sent to live with his uncle, who was a Bedouin tribesman, even before they died. Muhammad became a merchant. When he was 25, he met a wealthy widow named Khadija, and married her. 4

Muhammad: Founder of Islam Muhammad was always a very religious person. When he was around 40 years old, the Angel Gabriel spoke to him, saying that God had chosen him as his Prophet. Muhammad’s duty was to proclaim that God, or Allah, was the one and only God.

The Quran Muhammad memorized, word for word, everything the Angel Gabriel spoke to him. It was eventually written down by scribes. These writings are known as the Quran. Quran means “recitation.” it is the holy book for Muslims, containing guidance in all matters

The Hejira Muhammad began to speak about this new religion to the Arab tribespeople around Mecca. Some began to follow him. Others did not like his message, and plotted to kill both him and his followers. In 622, Muhammad and his followers fled from Mecca to Yathrib, a town to the north. This journey was known as the hejira. Yathrib was later renamed Medina, which means “City of the Prophet.”

The New Religion In 630, Muhammad returned to Mecca with a large army, and defeated his enemies. Muhammad smashed all of the pagan statues around the Kaaba. Islam became the new religion, and Mecca was its birthplace. Islam literally means “submission,” in this case, to God.

The New Religion Muhammad = founder of Islam Muslim = one who is a follower of Islam

Five Pillars of Islam Declaration of Faith (Shahada) “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His Prophet.” Prayers (Salah) 5 X/day: face Mecca Charity (Sawm): give to the old & poor Fasting (Zakat): during Ramadan Pilgrimage (Hajj): must complete a pilgrimage to Mecca Duty of all Muslims: 3

14 RAMADAN Muslims observe the month of Ramadan, which is either 29 or 30 days, by fasting from sun-up to sundown. This means no food OR water until dark! Muslims mark the end of Ramadan with a holiday called Eid ul-Fitr, during which they end their fast.

6 Islam, Judaism, & Christianity Muhammad recognized Jews and Christians as “People of the Book.”  Hebrew Bible and Christian New Testament were sacred  Believed that they had been “corrupted” over time, however

Similarities with Christianity and Judaism Universality of Humankind Along with Judaism and Christianity, Islam emphasizes the dignity and equality of humankind: “No Arab has any superiority over a non-Arab…Nor does a white man have any superiority over a black man, or the black man any superiority over the white man. You are all the children of Adam, and Adam was created from clay.”

Similarities with Christianity and Judaism Belief in an Afterlife Along with Jews and Christians, Muslims believe that we will be held accountable for our actions in the next life: “We shall set up scales of justice for the day of Judgment, so that not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in the least.”

Islamic Law All of the teachings and sayings of Muhammad which did not come directly from God are recorded in the Hadith Together with the Quran, these two texts form the basis of Islamic law, known as Shariah 7

Two Key Beliefs of Islam  There is only one God, Allah  Muhammad is His final Prophet 8

Concept of Jihad The term jihad appears in the Quran 41 times Its main meaning refers to an inner struggle by the individual Muslim to fulfill his/her religious duties, and live their lives according to God’s plan Another meaning of jihad is an outward, physical, violent struggle against the enemies of Islam This second meaning is misunderstood by both Muslims and Christians 10

Concept of Jihad According the the Quran: ”You may fight “in the cause of God” against those who attack you, but do not aggress. God does not love the aggressors.” 2:190 This directive has often been misinterpreted as sanctioning “Holy War.”

Halal Any meat which is slaughtered for consumption must be done so in the correct way, invoking the name of God. The eating of pork is strictly forbidden by Muslims. The Quran also outlaws alcohol.

Early Islam IslamShiite 661 A.D. Sunni

12 Sunni and Shi’ite Populations Today

28 Comparison of Statistics and Basics IslamJudaismChristianity adherents calledMuslimsJewsChristians current adherents1.3 billion14 million2 billion current size rank2nd largest12th largestlargest major concentration Middle East, Southeast Asia Israel, Europe, USA Europe, North and South America, rapid growth in Africa sacred textQur'an (Koran)Bible Bible (Jewish Bible + New Testament) other written authority Hadith Talmud, Midrash, Responsa church fathers, church councils, papal decrees (Catholic only) religious lawShariaHalakhahCanon Law clergyimamsrabbis priests, ministers, pastors, bishops house of worshipmosquesynagogue church, chapel, cathedral main day of worship FridaySaturdaySunday

29 Comparison of Origins and History IslamJudaismChristianity date founded622 CEunknownc. 33 CE place foundedSaudi ArabiaPalestine (def)defPalestine founderMuhammad Moses or Abraham Jesus original language(s) ArabicHebrewAramaic, Greek early expansion within 12 years, entire Arabian peninsula; within 100 years, Muslim world stretched from the Atlantic to China little expansion; mostly confined to Palestine within 60 years, churches in major cities in Palestine, Turkey, Greece and Rome (map); entire Roman Empire by end of 4th cent.map major splits Shia/Sunni, c. 650 CE Reform/Orthodox, 1800s CE Catholic/Orthodox, 1054 CE; Catholic/Protestant, 1500s CE

30 Comparison of Religious Beliefs IslamJudaismChristianity type of theismstrict monotheism Trinitarian monotheism ultimate realityone God names of GodAllah (Arabic for God)Yahweh, ElohimYahweh, the Holy Trinity other spiritual beingsangels, demons, jinnangels and demons revered humans prophets, imams (especially in Shia) prophetssaints, church fathers identity of Jesus true prophet of God, whose message has been corrupted not prophet Son of God, God incarnate, savior of the world resurrection of JesusNot part of beliefs affirmed divine revelation through Muhammad, recorded in Qur'an through Prophets, recorded in Bible through Prophets and Jesus (as God Himself), recorded in Bible means of salvation correct belief, good deeds, Five Pillars belief in God, good deeds correct belief, faith, good deeds, sacraments (some Protestants emphasize faith alone) good afterlifeeternal paradise: heavenviews vary: heaveneternal heaven view of fellow Abrahamic religions Jews and Christians are respected as "People of the Book," but they have wrong beliefs and only partial revelation. Islam and Christianity are false interpretations and extensions of Judaism. Judaism is a true religion, but with incomplete revelation.