Introduction to Islam

Geography of the Arabian Peninsula Location Bordered by the Red Sea to the West Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea to the South Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman to the East Climate Mostly desert Few areas can support agriculture Oasis- fertile spot in a desert where water is found

Desert and Town Life Inhabited by Arab nomads called BEDOUINS Organized into clans Provided security and support Bedouin ideals included courage, loyalty to family, and warrior skills The city of Mecca was a center of trade Also important for religious pilgrims The Ka’aba (a shrine with hundreds of idols to the tribal gods) was located in the city

Muhammad, the Prophet Born into a powerful Meccan family Married to Khadijah, wealthy business woman The angel Gabriel appeared to him and said he was a messenger of Allah From then on, Muhammad began to preach the word of Allah

Flight from Mecca Muhammad began to gather followers Muhammad and his followers migrated north to a city called Medina (originally named Yathrib) This is called the Hijrah, which means “flight” During this time, Islam gained many followers

Return to Mecca In 630 C.E. Muhammad and his followers returned to Mecca They destroyed the polytheistic idols in the Ka’aba and called the people to prayer from the roof Many Meccans then converted to Islam After Muhammad’s death, Islam continued to spread

Beliefs of Islam Main teaching is that there is one God, called Allah Islam does NOT have a central religious authority Does have a religious scholar class (Ulama) Holy text is called the Qur’an Contains the revelations Gabriel gave to Muhammad Written in Arabic Follow Sunna, which is Muhammad’s example Sunna and Qur’an assembled into body of law (Shari’a)

The Five Pillars of Islam Five duties that Muslims must complete PILGRIMAGEPILGRIMAGE FAITHFAITH PRAYERPRAYER ALMSALMS FASTINGFASTING

The Five Pillars There is one God, who is Allah FAITHFAITH

The Five Pillars PRAYERPRAYER Pray 5 times a day, facing Mecca

They must fast during the month of Ramadan, from dawn until dusk FASTINGFASTING

The Five Pillars They must make a trip to Mecca, if healthy enough and have enough money to do so PILGRIMAGEPILGRIMAGE

The Five Pillars They must give money to the poor ALMSALMS

The Mosque The mosque is the center of the Islamic community While daily prayers can be performed anywhere, it is required to attend Friday prayers at the mosque In most mosques men and women are separated The minaret is the tower-like structure used to call Muslims to prayer

Dome of the Rock - Jerusalem Jewish Holy Site Place where Abraham was to sacrifice his son Located on site of the Jewish Temple that was destroyed by the Romans Spot in which Muhammad ascended to Heaven to learn of Allah’s will

The Mosque of the Prophet

The Blue Mosque

Minaret

Call to Prayer

Islam Quick Facts Place of Worship: Mosque Holy Day: Friday Direct Worship – no clergy Pork is forbidden (considered unclean) Alcohol is not allowed Men & women are segregated at Mosque Jerusalem (Masjid Al Aqsa) is a sacred site Largest Muslim populated country is Indonesia

ISLAM Today Countries with more than 10% Muslim population Green=SunniRed=Shiite

Connections to Judaism and Christianity All three religions worship the same God Muslims view Jesus as a prophet, not the son of God The Qur’an contains the word of Allah, like the Torah and New Testament Muslims believe the Qur’an perfects the revelations from the earlier texts All three religions believe in heaven, hell, and a judgment day All three religions trace their roots to Abraham

Foldable Instructions You will be creating a foldable of the beliefs of Islam You will be graded on neatness, content, and creativity Fold your paper in almost in half (leaving an inch- wide section on the bottom) and cut five flaps On each of the flaps you will write one of the five pillars and illustrate it On the inside of the flap, include a description of the pillar You will also title your foldable “The Five Pillars of Islam”