Understanding Islam Why should we study the religion of Islam? There are over 1 billion Muslims in the world.

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 Allah: Arabic for God same as J and C Medina: first Islamic community, 2 nd Holy city, Muhammad gains political and religious power – City of the Prophet 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 2

3 Five Pillars of Islam Islam means: (#2) –to submit/submission Five Pillars of Islam: (#3) Declaration of Faith (Shahada) Prayers (Salah) Charity (Zakat) Fasting (Sawm) Pilgrimage (Hajj)

The Rise and Spread of Islam

5 Arabia in the 7th Century

6 Mecca

7 Muhammad (#4) Born CE 570 Parents died Raised by Uncle Marries Khadija Merchant/trader Meditated in desert Daughter Fatima married to cousin Ali Video 3:29Video

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.

9 Muhammad (#5) Final Prophet/Founder of Islam –Means to surrender/submit (#2) Messages from God compiled in the Qur’an Spread the message of one God

The Hejira Muhammad began to speak about this new religion to the Arab tribes people 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.”

11 Medina and Hejira 622 Marks the beginning of expansion of Islam (#10)

1 Sacredness of Jerusalem “Night Journey” from the nearest mosque to the farthest (“al-Aqsa”) mosque AD in Jerusalem Is believed to be when Muhammad “flew” to Jerusalem and met with the old Prophets: Abraham and Moses The Night Journey

13 Umayyad Culture Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem Video Al-Aqsa (“furthest”) mosque, built CE 715

People of the Book (# 6) Muhammad’s Term for Jews and Christians –Cause followed Gods teachings Old and New Testament were God’s words but had been corrupted over time Christianity and Judaism influenced Islam 14

15 Return to Mecca – 628AD Mecca

16 Kaaba Housed 360 idols Muhammad Smashed idols and dedicated to God (360) (#5) Pilgrimages during holy month Dhul-Hijjah Kiswah: the cloth that covers the Kaaba –Embroidered in gold the Muslim Declaration of Faith –At the end of the ḥ ajj, the new kiswah is put in place, and the old one is cut into small relics that are sold to pilgrims. Ka’bah

17 Spread of Muslim Rule

Two Main Branches of Islam Battle of Karbala: 661 A.D. 11

19 Schism Disagreement over style and qualifications leader Bloody massacre (#11) Split into Sunni and Shi’a during Umayyad Dynasty – Mid 600’s over the choosing of caliph – successor to Muhammad as leader of Islamic community (#11) (#12) Sunni – 80% caliph based on merit – anyone Shi'ite/Shi’a – caliph descendent of Muhammad Shrine at Karbala

20 7. Hadith and Quran make up the Sharia Sharia – sacred law of Islam Hadith: accounts and sayings of Muhammad 8. oneness of God and Muhammad Final Prophet 9. Birth, Marriage, Death Aqiqah Link 10. Hejira (622), Muslim Army united by Jihad (to struggle to be the best Muslim/Holy War) and promise of riches, resentment of foreign rule, Conversion (equality of believers), tolerance

Umayyad, choosing a caliph 12. Shi’a (Shiite) and Sunni 13. Halal In Arabic, the word halal means permitted or lawful. Halal foods are foods that are allowed under Islamic dietary guidelines No pork or alcohol

22 Five Pillars of Islam Declaration of Faith (Shahada) Prayers (Salah) Charity (Sawm) Fasting (Zakat) Pilgrimage (Hajj) Video 2:00Video –Another Hajj VideoAnother Hajj Video –And one moreAnd one more

23 Ramadan (#14) 9 th month of the Islamic/lunar calendar Month that Qur'an to Muhammad Fasting from sunup to sundown Focus on relationship with God/spiritually Night of Power: –last days of the month it is believed that Muhammad first received the Qur'an. Eid ul-Fitr (The Festival of Fast-Breaking): –holiday that marks the end of Ramadan and fasting –Show Wolper Video

24 Islam, Christianity, and Judaism Similarities Monotheism Prophethood Golden Rule Jerusalem Holy Judgment Day Heaven Prayer Charity Coming of Age Pilgrimage Dietary Laws Ethical world view

Early Islamic Empires

The Spread of Islam Within 120 years of the Prophet Muhammad’s death, the religion of Islam had spread from the Arabian Peninsula to include the following areas:

Early Caliphates Umayyad Dynasty ( A.D.) Umayyad Dynasty ( A.D.) Capital: Damascus, Syria Capital: Damascus, Syria Emphasis on Arab Culture & Language Sunni Muslim

28 Umayyads (661–750)

29 Umayyad Culture Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem Video Al-Aqsa (“furthest”) mosque, built CE 715

30 Shi’ism Today

31 Umayyad Decline Fragmentation –split Non-Arabs Leadership problems

Early Caliphates Abbassid Dynasty ( AD) Included People from other cultures Persians Turks Indians Golden Age of Muslim Civilization Capital: Baghdad Advances in architecture Control of trade routes Advances in science, medicine, mathematics Poetry and philosophy

33 Abbasids (750–1258) First 100 years 1 st Golden Age (#15) Because of economic power, medicine, science, math, and architecture

Islam’s First Golden Age The Abbassid Caliphate was established in 750 A.D. The capital of this new Islamic Empire was established in Baghdad, not Damascus. Founded by al-Mansur, the second caliph of the Abbassid Dynasty. This new caliphate was more inclusive of different people, including Persians, Turks, and Indians, which gave it more appeal.

Islam’s First Golden Age Commerce and Economics This new empire controlled the trade routes between the East (India and China) and the Mediterranean, Africa, and Europe. This led to thriving, wealthy cities, such as Baghdad. To help trade prosper, the Abbasids developed many useful business practices.

36 Abbasid Culture Trade revival Arabic numerals Algebra

37 Science and Medicine Astrolabe Medicine Ibn Sina (Avicenna) Muhammad Al-Razi Muslims used the magnetic needle to produce the mariner’s compass, as well as the astrolabe. These inventions would become VERY important during the Age of Discovery hundreds of years later. Astrolabe

Medieval Renaissance Man Ibn Sina – known also as Avicenna Wrote more than 100 books on astronomy, music, philosophy, medicine, and poetry

Islam’s First Golden Age Advances in Learning:  Muslim scholars translated ancient Greek works on philosophy, science, and mathematics.  Muslims also made advances in the fields of medicine, mathematics, and architecture  They gave us beautiful poetry, such as The Rubaiyat, and A Thousand and One Nights 18

Islam’s First Golden Age 15 Muhammad al Razi Muslim doctor who stressed eating a balanced diet. Encouraged high professional standards for doctors, including education and qualifying exams. Wrote 50 books on medicine

41 Abbasid Decline Mosque of Abbasid Caliph Al- Mutawakkil

Home Stretch 16. Life long learners/education important - translated Greek and Sanskrit works on philosophy and science House of Wisdom – Baghdad – Al Mamun – preserved ancient learning – diffused to Europe 17. Medicine: Diagnosis/treatment/qualifying examinations Muhammad al-Razi and Ibn Sina – all influenced the West Math – algebra Science Architecture - minarets 18. Letters of credit – receipts – bills of lading 42

43 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

44 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

45 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.