8. Islam The Arabian Peninsula gave way to a world wide religious movement that became known as Islam (submission to the will of God) “Prophet Muhammad” is historically known as its founder

9. Islam Arabian Peninsula is bordered on the south by the Arabian Sea, on the east by the Persian Gulf, on the west by the Red Sea Most of the Arabian Peninsula is made up of desert land

10. Islam Desert people could not grow crops due to the land, many herded sheep and camel. Bedouins – nomadic Arab herders of sheep and camel –Bedouins were organized into tribes and were led by Sheikh. The title sheikh was a title given out of respect to a man because of his knowledge or position

11. Islam Mecca – was a major trading city on the Arabian peninsula. –Mecca was on a caravan route running north across the desert to Syria. Most people settled on the coasts of the Arabian peninsula due to it’s milder climates. Arabs in the various coastal towns were influenced by people from many different areas

12. Islam Around 570 AD a man named Muhammad was born into a poor clan of Mecca’s ruling tribe. Muhammad was a caravan trader who came in contact with a variety of people –Namely: Jews & Christians At age 40 he was visited by the angel Gabriel (Jibreel in Arabic) who told him that he was to be a prophet of God.

13. Islam Merchant rulers in Mecca rejected Muhammad’s teaching because they criticized their conduct and attitudes. Every year Arabs came to Meccas to worship at the Kaaba. Kaaba – a stone building filled with idols that some people worshiped. If Muhammad continued his messages it would possibly threaten the pilgrimages and result in merchants loss of money.

14. Islam Facing persecution, Muhammad and his followers fled from Mecca for Yathrib. The journey from Mecca to Yathrib became known as the hijrah. –Hijrah – flight or migration. Yathrib would later be known as Medina or the city of the Prophet.

15. Islam Muhammad would gain followers in Medina and would return to Mecca in 630AD. The merchants in Mecca submitted to Muhammad and his followers. The idols within the Kaaba were destroyed and he Kaaba is rededicated to the worship of the One God, Allah.

16. Islam Islam - is derived from the Arabic word "salam," which is often interpreted as meaning "peace." However "submission" would be a better translation. Muslim - is a follower of Islam. "Muslim" is an Arabic word that refers to a person who submits themselves to the will of God. Phrases such as ‘Islamic Terrorist’ or ‘Muslim Terrorists’ are offensive to Muslims and are viewed as oxymorons (a combination of contradictory or incongruous words

17. Islam Most religious historians view Islam as having been founded in 622 CE (A.D.) by Muhammad the Prophet Islam is the youngest of the world's very large religions (those with over 300 million members) which include Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism

18. Islam Most Muslims share the following beliefs: Islam existed before Muhammad was born The origins of Islam dates back to the creation of the world (Adam & Eve) Muhammad was the last and by far the greatest of a series of Prophets which include: –Abraham –Moses –Jesus

19. Islam A single, indivisible God. The angels. The divine scriptures known as the Quran The Messengers of God (Prophets) The Day of Judgment The supremacy of God's will.

20. Islam "Allah" is an Arabic word which means "the One True God." An alternative spelling for "Muslim" that is occasionally used is "Moslim“ –usage is not recommended because it is often pronounced "mawzlem": which sounds like an Arabic word for "oppressor". The usage of the term "Mohammedism“ is deeply offensive to many Muslims –its usage can lead some to the concept that Muhammed is divine

21. Islam Muhammad was born in the late 6th century circa 570 CE Raised by a foster family He was orphaned at the age of 6 As a child he worked as a shepherd.

22. Islam He was taken on a caravan to Syria by his uncle at age 9 or 12 As a youth he worked as a camel driver on the trade routes between Syria and Arabia. Muhammad later managed caravans on behalf of merchants. Became acquainted with many religious beliefs during his travels –Notably Judaism, Christianity and indigenous religions.

23. Islam A rich widow named Khadijah employed Muhammad as a merchant for the purpose of taking her goods for sale to Syria. Delighted with the unusual profits she obtained as also by the personal charms of Muhammad she offered him her hand. According to some reports she was between the age of 28 - 40 years of age at that time –medical reasons prefer the age of 28 since she gave birth to five more children

24. Islam Not much is known about the religious practices of Muhammad until he was thirty- five years old, except that he had never worshipped idols. At the age of 40 circa. 610 CE, he was visited in Mecca by the angel Gabriel. He developed the conviction that he had been ordained a Prophet and given the task of converting his countrymen

25. Islam There are Five Pillars of Faith in Islam: –To recite at least once during their lifetime the shahadah. –To perform the salat (prayer) 5 times a day –Donate regularly to charity through zakat. –To fast during the lunar month of Ramadan –To make at least one hajj (pilgrimage) to Meccaleast