The Arabian Peninsula Mostly desert Few oases of fertile land for agriculture Crossroads of three continents: Africa, Europe, Asia

Early Inhabitants Bedouins  Arab nomads Tribes & groups called clans Provided security & support Ideals of courage & loyalty to family 600s – Arabs settled near oases or markets

Mecca Important trade city Ka’aba  ancient shrine (Black Rock) Brought religious pilgrims for worship Associated w/Abraham Contained over 360 idols, worship of many gods

Origins of Islam Muhammad – Meccan businessman Received revelation from angel Gabriel outside the Cave of Hira in 610 Proclaim! In the name of they Lord and Cherisher, who created man out of a mere) clot of congealed blood. Proclaim! And thy Lord is most bountiful. He who taught (the use of) the pen taught man that which he knew not. He was one of the prophets

Religion of Islam Arabic term for God = Allah Islam = “submission to the will of Allah” Muslim = “one who has submitted”

ABRAHAM SARAH HAGAR Isaac Esau Jacob 12 Tribes of Israel Ishmael 12 Arabian Tribes Abraham’s Genealogy

The Prophetic Tradition Adam Noah Abraham Moses Jesus Muhammad

The Hijrah migrated from Mecca to Yathrib – known as the Hijrah Yathrib was renamed Medina It is from this year that the Muslim calendar begins (1 A.H.) Attracted many followers in Medina

Return to Mecca (630 AD) Muhammad became military leader – conquered Mecca Umma = Muslim religious community Muhammad died at age 62 w/no plans for his succession The golden gate outside Muhammad’s tomb Swords belonging to Prophet Muhammad

The Dome of the Rock

The Five Pillars The World of Islam

The Five Pillars of Islam 1) Shahada – “there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah” 2) Salat – Pray 5x’s a day facing Mecca

3) Zakat – almsgiving to the poor & sick 4) Sawm – fasting during Ramadan Festival of Eid-Al-Fitr – celebration at end of Ramadan

5) Hajj – pilgrimage to Mecca

Mosque = Islamic house of worship

The Mosque The Muslim place of worship.

The Qur’an Muslims believe it contains the word of God. 114 suras (chapters) In the name of Allah, the compassionate, the merciful. Written in Arabic.

 An Afghan artist and his students display an oversized page from the Koran at the Naser Khusro Balkhi Library during an opening ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Jan. 12, The Naser Khusro Balkhi Library was founded by The Aga Khan Foundation in Kabul. (MSNBC) Shah Marai / AFP - Getty Images

Islamic Way of Life No priests – only authority is Allah Purpose of serving the community No pork, alcohol Ulama – scholar class Imams Sunna – Muhammad’s example as model for proper living Shari’a = Islamic body of law

The Spread of Islam Easy to learn and practice No priesthood Teaches equality Non-Muslims, who were “Peoples of the Book,” were allowed religious freedom, but paid additional taxes Easily “portable”  nomads & trade routes Jihad (“Holy War”) against pagans and other non-believers (“infidels”)

Muslims in the World Today

Countries with the Largest Muslim Population 1.Indonesia183,000,0006.Iran62,000,000 2.Pakistan134,000,0007.Egypt59,000,000 3.India121,000,0008.Nigeria53,000,000 4.Bangladesh114,000,0009.Algeria31,000,000 5.Turkey66,000,00010.Morocco29,000,000 * Arabs make up only 20% of the total Muslim population of the world.