Mohammed and the Foundations of Islam

Arabia in the 500’s

I.Mohammed-Life and Times A.Born 569 to Bedouin merchant family in Middle East (Arabia) B.Early spiritual conversion and teaching C.Spiritual awakening around 40 years old 1.Believed spoken to by Archangel Gabriel (like Mary) 2.Told that life had become too corrupt (with riches, cares of this life) 3.Directed to go out to teach everyone to follow Allah 4.Thought of himself as a successor to Moses and Jesus

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

The Prophetic Tradition Adam Noah Abraham Moses Jesus Muhammad

C.Little early success in the city of Mecca, where he lived 1.Only about 30 converts in first 10 years ("companions of the Prophet") a.Questioned the emphasis on trade and wealth in Mecca b.Undermined traditional religion in Mecca Arabs had believed that Allah was most important of many gods Arabs had worshiped a black meteorite as the symbol of Allah-- housed in the Ka'ba shrine Each tribe had its own stone for worship, none as important as at Ka'ba

2.Moved to Medina (current name) where he preached unsuccessfully to Jews in 622 (Islamic 1) a.Jews uninterested in a non-Jewish teacher b.Jews uninterested in a new prophet (Diaspora) c.Jews very hostile looked (feared death of religion) d.Medina writings hostile defense of religion 3.Moved back to Mecca (the original pilgrimage) accepted the importance of the old ways a.Accepted the black stone as Allah's b.Made the black stone the chief symbol and shrine of his new religion c.Mixed his new ideas with accepted ones of Arabic culture d.Mix was vital to his new religion being accepted

II.Major ideas of Islam (Surrender) A.Seemed like other religions 1.Accepted ancient Arab ways 2.Based on other regional religions a.Judaism and Yahweh being the creator (only God) b.Accepted Jesus as a prophet, wise man, and man of God, but not divine himself c.Early teachings: Jews and Christians were "people of the book" Receive preferential treatment because they had "part" of the truth d.Islam would base itself loosely on the books of those religions—Torah, Bible 3.Similar history and roots: Abraham

B.The Five Pillars of Islam 1.Belief: Complete acceptance, even just once, of the idea that "There is no God but God (Allah); Mohammed is the Messenger of God." 2.Prayer: five times per day, facing East and Mecca 3.Charity: Muslims must give alms generously 4.Fasting: Muslims must fast for one month-- Ramadan 5.Pilgrimage: Muslims must try, at least once, to make a pilgrimage to Mecca 6.If one would do this, one could achieve paradise after death--a very physical, pleasurable place C.Koran: rules, and other sayings given by God to the Prophet 1.Decided on after his death 2.Once decided, could not be changed

III.Islam as a political and social entity as well as a religion A.No obvious difference between politics and society in Islam B.Islam should be part of all aspects of life C.Mohammed was a political leader of Muslims as well as religious one D.The jihad (more a raid than a holy war) accepted in Bedouin society as a way to make money by attacking caravans. 1.Mohammed linked this to Islam 2.Said it was okay to fight, kill for the Truth of Allah 3.Would provide a very important tool for later Islamic leaders

IV.Importance of Islam as related to Judaism and Christianity A.All "People of the Book" B.All monotheistic, based on morality, ethics C.Islam was universal, like Christianity but not Judaism D.Islam was political E.World tensions created by these three religions.