Islam

Origin of Islam A man named Muhammad brought a new religion to Arabia. Much of what we know about him comes from religious writings. Muhammad was born in the city of Mecca around 570. As a child, he traveled with his uncle’s caravans. As an adult, Muhammad managed a caravan business. Muhammad was upset that rich people did not help the poor. He often went to a cave to meditate on this problem.

Islam According to Islamic belief, when Muhammad was 40, an angel spoke to him. Muhammad taught that there was only one God, Allah. The belief in one god was a new idea for many Arabs. Before this time, Arabs prayed to many gods at shrines. The most important shrine was in Mecca. Many people traveled to Mecca every year on a pilgrimage. Muhammad also taught that the rich should give money to the poor. But rich merchants in Mecca rejected this idea. Slowly, Muhammad’s message began to influence people. The rulers in Mecca felt threatened by him. Muhammad left and went to Medina. His house became the first mosque, or building for Muslim prayer. After years of conflict, the people of Mecca finally gave in and accepted Islam.

Geography and Timeline of Islam Muhammad began to preach in Mecca. He claimed that an angel spoke to him and made him a prophet. He taught that there was only one god and the Arabian people should stop worshipping idols and pagan gods and submit to Allah (God). Muhammad, left Mecca and took his message to Medina, where he converted many people. His followers were called Muslims. This move to Medina is called the hegira, or journey.

Timeline of Islam Creation Muhammad continued to receive messages from the angel and to preach in Medina. His home became the first mosque and the messages were collected in the Qur’an. Between 622 AD, and the death of Muhammad in 632 AD, the Islamic religion had spread to half of the Arabian Peninsula. After Muhammad’s death, many of his words and deeds were recorded as a guide to the way Muslims should live. This was called the Sunnah. 632 AD

More Info on Islam… The messages from Muhammad form the basis of a religion called Islam. A follower of Islam is called a Muslim. The messages were written in the Qur´an (kuh-RAN), the holy book of Islam.

Basic Facts of Islam Basic Facts Tenets: Supreme Being: Allah is monotheistic belief in the Prophet Muhammad and one God called Allah adheres to the Five Pillars of Islam; the Sunnah guides Muslims’ behavior Supreme Being: Allah Sacred Text: The Qur’an 1.5 billion adherents Muslims do not believe in representing the Prophet or Allah in paintings, sculptures, drawings or any other form.

Basic Fact of Islam Basic Facts Place of Worship: Mosque Holy Land: Mecca Additional pilgrimage sites include the Al Quds mount in Jerusalem (The Dome of the Rock) and the city of Medina in Saudi Arabia

Basic Facts of Islam The Qur’an Final Word of God Authoritative only in Arabic Protected from change/corruption Supercedes previous revelations (such as the Old and New Testaments) Only text Muslims turn to today 114 chapters/varying lengths

Islam Dome of the Rock 2nd holiest mosque in all of Islam. Located in Jerusalem.

Dome of the Rock and Western Wall Islam Dome of the Rock and Western Wall These are prominent and sacred locations to two distinct faiths. They are established within meters of each other. What issues may arise, especially if Jews wish to rebuild the temple on this site?

5 Pillars of Islam Directions: As you watch this video, write down ONE facts that you learn about each of the 5 Pillars of Islam. After the clip is over, you will reflect on what you learned by explaining your feelings about each fact and making a connection to another religion that you are familiar with. http://www.sascurriculumpathways.com/portal/Launch?id=1339

Five Pillars of Islam Confession of Faith: “There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Prophet of God” Ritual Prayer (5x/day)

Five Pillars of Islam Almsgiving (2.5% of wealth) 4. Fasting 5. Hajj

Hajj

The Hajj Shed evidence of wealth/poverty Dressed in white Day One—travel from Mecca to Medina Day Two—Day of Arafat (forgiveness and mercy)

Hajj Day Three— Throwing stones at pillars that represent seductions of Satan Slaughter animal and give meat to poor. Seven turns around the Ka’aba Trek between to small hills to honor Hajar’s (Hagar) search for water

Islam Throwing stones at pillars that represent seductions of Satan

Islam

Fasting During Ramadan 9th month on Islamic calendar (lunar calendar) Fasting is from sun up to sun down Intended to teach patience, modesty, and spirituality Is ended with the Festival of Eid ul-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast)

Islamic Expansion With your group open the envelope and make some PREDICTIONS by placing the event of Islamic Expansion in the order you think they should go. Once you are done look at the Timeline and check your answers to make sure your events are in the correct order. Discuss with your groups what you observed.

Islamic Expansion Separate branches emerged over who should lead the faith after the Prophet’s death Shi’ia (Shi’ite)—Muslim leadership should stay in Muhammad’s family Today, this is 10% of Muslims Sunni—most qualified should be selected to lead Today, this 90% of Muslims

Spread of Islam Theme: Location

Spread of Islam Battle of Tours 732 AD 661 AD Muslim Empire had spread across all of North Africa and into Spain in the west. Further Muslim conquest was stopped at the Battle of Tours, in western France. To the east, the Muslim Empire spread across the Indus River and into western India. Between 632 AD, and 661 AD, the Islamic religion had spread to Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia, Iran, west to Tripoli (Libya), north to the Taurus and Caucasus Mts (Turkey and Georgia) and east to Pakistan. After Muhammad’s death, his successors were called caliphs. There was disagreement over who should lead. This caused a split between the Sunni and Shiites that continues to the present day. 732 AD 661 AD

Islam Expansion Expansion Through Trade: Arab merchants took Islamic beliefs and practices with them to new lands. Coastal trading cities developed into large Muslim communities. Muslims generally practiced tolerance, or acceptance. They did not ban all other religions in their lands. More people began speaking Arabic and practicing Islam. The Arabs also took on non- Muslim customs. Cultural blending changed Islam into a religion of many cultures. The development of Muslim cities like Baghdad and Córdoba reflected this blending of cultures.

Islam Expansion Expansion Through Conquer: After Muhammad’s death Abu Bakr (UH-boo BAK-uhr) was the leader of Islam. He was the first caliph (KAY-luhf). This title was used for the highest Islamic leader. Abu Bakr unified Arabia. The Arab army conquered the Persian and Byzantine empires. Later caliphs conquered lands in Central Asia, northern India, and North Africa. They controlled eastern Mediterranean trade routes. After many years of fighting, the Berbers of North Africa converted to Islam. A combined Arab and Berber army conquered Spain and ruled for 700 years.

Islam Muslims Defeated the Persian and Byzantine Empires but allowed Jews and Christians to practice their religion. Grew into three separate empires: Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal.

Islamic Empires Ottoman Empire In the 1200s, Muslim Turks known as Ottomans attacked the Byzantine Empire. They trained janissaries, boys from conquered towns who were enslaved and converted to Islam. In 1453 the Ottomans took Constantinople and renamed it Istanbul. This ended the Byzantine Empire. By 1566 the Ottomans took control of the eastern Mediterranean and part of Europe. Central Asia / Europe North Africa

Islamic Empires Safavid Empire The Safavids (sah-FAH-vuhds) gained power in the east. They soon came into conflict with the Ottomans. The conflict stemmed from an old disagreement about who should be caliph. In the mid- 600s, Islam had split into two groups—the Sunni and the Shia. The Ottomans were Sunni, and the Safavids were Shia. The Safavid Empire conquered Persia in 1501 and soon grew wealthy, building glorious mosques in Esfahan, their capital. Iran

Islamic Empires Mughal Empire East of the Safavid Empire, in India, lay the Mughal (MOO-guhl) Empire. The Mughals united many diverse peoples and were known for their architecture—particularly the Taj Mahal. Under the leader Akbar, the Mughal Empire was known for its religious tolerance. But more restrictive policies after his death led to the end of the empire. Mughal Empire represents present-day Pakistan. India/ Pakistan

Islam Today Muslim Populations