Islam

Islam Today  Islam is the second largest world religion Fastest growing  1.2 billion Muslims 20% of the world’s total population  43 countries with Muslim-majority populations Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe

Largest Muslim Populations 1. Indonesia (183 million) 2. Pakistan (134 million) 3. India (121 million) 4. Bangladesh (114 million) 5. Turkey (66 million) *Arabs make up only 20% of the total Muslim population of the world 6. Iran (62 million) 7. Egypt (59 million) 8. Nigeria (53 million) 9. Algeria (31 million) 10.Morocco (29 million)

Two Major Groups  Sunni: 80% in many locations throughout the world Traditionalists, accept Mu’awiyah as caliph  Shi’a: 15%, mostly in Iran Believe Ali was to be the next caliph  Difference is political, basic beliefs and practices are the same  Sufis are Muslim mystics, come from both Sunni and Shi’ite backgrounds  Most Muslims are not Arab and not all Arabs are Muslim

Muslims in America  7 million Muslims in America Second largest religion in America Fastest growing religion in America  The history of Islam in America dates back to the slave trade

Basics of Islam  Islam = “peace,” “submission”  Muslim = “submitter”  Abraham’s two sons: Isaac  the Hebrews (Judaism  Christianity) Ishmael  the Arabs (Islam)

Abrahamic Roots  Muslims are strictly monotheistic Believe in the Judeo-Christian God  Muslims believe that the Torah and the Bible, like the Qur’an, are the word of God Believe in all the prophets & their stories  “Allah” is the Arabic word for God Christian and Jewish Arabs use the same word to refer to God

Life of Muhammad  b. 570 CE, d. 632 CE  Prophet & founder Human, not divine  Lived in Arabia, near Mecca Orphaned by age 6, raised by grandfather and uncle  Age 25: married Khadija  Later married Aishah

Muhammad’s Revelations  610: in a cave on Mt. Hira, he received his first revelation from the angel Gabriel  622: he left Mecca for Medina Date marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar  By his death in 632, Islam was a thriving religion  These revelations were compiled into the Qur’an after his death (20 years later)

The Qur’an  Qur’an = “recite,” “recitation” Holy book of Islam Comprised of 114 chapters (called surahs)

Basic Beliefs  One God (Allah) He is great and merciful Not to be worshiped or represented as idols  The world is good Made for humans to enjoy  Decrements (destiny) – Inshallah (“if God wills”)  Resurrection, Judgment day, Heaven & Hell

The Problem for Humans  Sin Refusing to submit to the will of God through His prophets, especially Muhammad  Salvation=recognizing one true God and following 5 Pillars

The Five Pillars  Shahada – Witness: “There is no God Allah and Muhammad is His messenger”  Salat – Prayer, five times every day  Zakat – alms giving to the poor and needy  Sawm – fasting, sun-up to sun-down during month of Ramadan  Hajj – Pilgrimage to Mecca (at least once in a Muslim’s life, if able) 2-3 million each year

The Ka’aba  Located in the center of Mecca  Pre-dates Islam Believed to have been built by Abraham and Ishmael as an altar to God  Used by pre-Muslim Arabs for worship of their many tribal gods (idols)  Year 630: reclaimed by Muhammad, cleansed and rededicated to Allah  Center of Islam to this day Place of annual pilgrimage and direction of prayer for Muslims from all corners of the globe

The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem Other Sacred Places The Great Mosque in Mecca The Prophet’s Mosque in Medina

Prohibitions Halal (permissible) and Haram (prohibited)  No eating of pork (other dietary regulations = halal)  No gambling  No intoxicants  No fornication (homosexuality, adultery, prostitution, etc.)  No usury (charging or paying interest on loans) (the rich shall not profit from helping the poor)

Jihad  Humans are to live in peace with one another  “Struggle” not “Holy War” Inner: spiritual and moral struggle between good and evil Outer: struggle to maintain proper social setting according to God’s will  Struggles in the Holy Land Palestinian vs. Israeli, not Muslim vs. Jew (political, not religious)

Women in Islam  Eve was considered a helped and companion to Adam Role today is to be dependent on men and be supportive of them  Respected and protected by Men  “Modest dress” for both men and women “Hijab” differs from culture to culture Heavy cover and veil not a religious requirement

Resources:  Jannah.org  World Assembly of Muslim Youth  Discover Islam Online (posters) PBS Documentaries:  Islam: Empire of Faith  Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet  Muslims (Frontline):