Muslim Call to Prayer (adhaan)  God is Great  God is Great  I bear witness that there is no God than except Allah (x2)  Make haste towards prayer  Make haste toward welfare  Prayer is better than sleep  God is great  There is no God except God Muslim Call to Prayer (adhaan)  God is Great  I bear witness that there is no God than except Allah (x2)  Make haste towards prayer  Make haste toward welfare  Prayer is better than sleep  God is great  There is no God except God

Objectives: Origins of Islam  Examine how geography and trade helped shape pre-Islamic society.  Explore who Muhammad was and his revelation.  Investigate the basic teachings of Islam.  Examine how Muhammad’s death led to question of succession.

Main Idea Muhammad, a merchant whom Muslims believe was the last prophet, reported that he received messages from God. The religion he taught—Islam—drew many followers. The Origins of Islam 'In the name of God, Most Merciful, Most Gracious'

Arabia was sparsely populated 1,500 years ago. Small bands of bedouins moved their herds between scattered oases in the desert. Farming limited in Arabia Commerce lively – Trade routes converged at Arabian Peninsula – Ideas as well as merchandise exchanged – Trade-dependent towns rose near coasts Mecca and Medina, near Red Sea, most important of coastal towns The Setting The Kaaba, cube-shaped structure, at heart of Mecca 500s, already ancient, considered sacred Possible meteorite built into one wall, “relic from heaven” Idols of local gods inside Site drew religious pilgrims One god considered supreme: Allah Religious Function The Arabian Peninsula

Had always been religious man, but faiths of others probably also influenced Muhammad’s thinking Took frequent spiritual retreats Angel appeared to him during retreat, commanded him to speak messages from Allah Muhammad disturbed by visitation, unsure of meaning After more visits from angel, Muhammad concluded God had chosen him to be prophet Muhammad’s Faith Muhammad ibn Abd Allah born 570 Parents died, Muhammad raised by uncle, powerful clan leader Grew up to have successful career in Mecca as merchant Married to older woman at age 25, fathered seven children, all but one of whom died young Met followers of Judaism, Christianity while traveling on business Early Life Muhammad the Messenger

Messages Among many messages from angel, Muhammad reported Allah one and only true and all-powerful God Other messages, instructions on how to live to please Allah, live in paradise Safety Many disliked Muhammad’s criticism of traditional beliefs in many gods Only protection of uncle kept him safe After uncle’s death Muhammad knew he and followers not safe in Mecca Public Preaching Muhammad originally told only wife, few friends about experiences Began to preach in public after about three years, attracted many followers Some powerful Meccans did not accept teachings The Revelations

Hegira 622, Muhammad moved to Medina or “the Prophet’s City”; journey from Mecca to Medina came to be known as hegira Later Muslims marked year of hegira as first year of Islamic calendar Mecca People of Mecca who wanted Muhammad stopped did not give up Fought several battles with Muhammad, followers, ultimately lost ground 630, Muhammad controlled Mecca, influence unmatched Building Faith Muhammad spent decade building community of fellow believers Called faith Islam, meaning “achieving peace through submission to God” Followers known as Muslims Sharing the Revelations

As Muhammad gained political power, revelations continued Muhammad could not read, write; recited revelations Followers memorized words, some wrote them down Writings Muslims believe as direct revelations from God collected in Qur’an, sacred text of Islam Muslims read from Qur’an to hear Allah’s teachings Seek religious experience in rhythm, beauty of words Full meaning known only in original Arabic language Translations not true representation Qur’an Five basic acts of worship central to Islam, Five Pillars of Islam Profession of faith Performance of five daily prayers Giving of alms to poor, needy Fasting during month of Ramadan Make pilgrimage to Mecca Five Pillars of Islam Guidelines for Behavior Qur’an provides guidelines for moral behavior Muslims may not eat pork, drink alcohol, must wash before praying Qur’an prohibits murder, lying, stealing Requires jihad, to defend Muslim community, also means “holy war”

Profession of Faith “There is no god but God…” By affirmation, Muslim signals acceptance of the faith Denies existence of other gods, accepts Muhammad as prophet Giving Alms to Poor, Needy Muslims supposed to give percentage of income to charity Even those with little encouraged to help others Five Daily Prayers Worshippers say daily prayers five times during day Always face Mecca to pray, no matter where they are Fasting During Ramadan Muslims required to go without food, drink, dawn to dusk Ramadan when Muhammad began to report messages written down in Qur’an Five Pillars of Islam

Mecca Pilgrimage to Mecca Muslims physically, financially able required to go to Mecca Journey called the hajj – Gather to pray in mosque – Perform various rituals, walk seven times around Kaaba – Climb Mount Arafat, site of Muhammad’s last sermon Hajj season - October 13-18, 2013

People of the Book Islam monotheistic like Jewish, Christian faiths Islamic beliefs: – Allah the same as God in Jewish, Christian traditions – Abraham, Moses, Jesus messengers from God – Muhammad, last of God’s prophets – Qur’an represents God’s final message – Muslims told to respect Jews, Christians as “people of the book;” share tradition of prophets who taught, received God’s revelations

Sunna and Sharia Record of Muhammad’s behavior, teachings known as Sunna, “tradition,” provides guidance in personal relationships, business Muslim legal system known as Sharia, reflects various rules by which Muslims should live, outlines method of reasoning, argument for legal cases, made up of opinions, writings over several centuries

The death of Muhammad in 632 presented a challenge for the Muslim community. Who would lead the group and keep it unified? The answer affected the faith’s spread and its future. Muhammad had not named successor No clear candidate Abu Bakr, close companion, early convert, chosen leader, called caliph, “successor” Muhammad’s Successors Abu Bakr focused on bringing back bedouin tribes Built strong Arab fighting forces to keep tribes under control Reunified Arabia, led forces north Priorities Abu Bakr, successor Umar, expanded Muslim rule rapidly 637 early victory against Persian forces in Iraq 642 victory over Persian Empire complete Expansion of Territory Islam after Muhammad’s Death

More Expansion After Iraq, Persia, Arab army faced wealthy Byzantine Empire to west Byantines first lost Damascus, Syria, Jerusalem 639, Byzantine province of Egypt fell; 642, rest of Nile Valley under Arab rule Internal Conflict and Division Deep conflict within Muslim leadership, began with choice of Abu Bakr, caliph Some had supported Muhammad’s cousin, Ali 644, Ali lost again, to Uthman, supported by powerful Mecca clan Umayyad Empire Only 10 years after Muhammad’s death, followers had created empire Conquests continued under later caliphs 661, caliphate stretched from northern Africa in west to Persia in East More Expansion

Most Muslims accepted Umayyad caliph, Mu’awiya Called Sunnis, “followers of the Sunna,” or “way of the Prophet” Ali’s supporters refused to go along with Umayyads. Became known as the Shia, “party of Ali” Sunnis and Shias Umayyads had been Muhammad’s enemies, converted reluctantly, were unpopular Uthman killed by rebels Ali became caliph, but troubles had just begun Civil war broke out between Ali’s forces, Umayyad; Ali killed, Umayyad retook control Ali’s Troubles Civil War

The Shia and Sufis Shia believed God had specially blessed Ali’s descendants Ali’s descendants, Muhammad’s true heirs Shia called each of Ali’s successors imam – Imam means “leader” – For the shia, only imams can interpret the Qur’an. Sufis Husayn killed while holding infant son, battle became known as the martyrdom of Husayn; split between Sunni, Shia has remained bitter Third group developed within Islam—the Sufis Sufis seek mystical, personal connection with God, using range of practices including breath control and meditation in rituals

Points of ComparisonJudaismChristianityIslam Founded Monotheistic or Polytheistic Name of all Powerful Deity Patriarch Founder Sacred Writings Holy Cities Rites of Worship or Beliefs Moral Code Teachings about after life