1. Islam

2. Founded by Muhammad around 630 CE Muhammad believed he was called by God to be the last of the prophets Muhammad was from Saudi Arabia

3. God: Allah – Monotheistic Islam: submission to the will of Allah Muslim: one who has submitted Holy Book: Qur’an (Koran) – The words of Allah spoken to Muhammad – Also believe in the Old Testament Prophets: Acceptance of Judeo- Christian prophets like Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (but Jesus is NOT recognized as the Savior) – Muhammad is the LAST of the prophets Place of Worship: Mosque Holy Day: Friday

4. 1.Faith: one must testify, “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” 2.Prayer: five times a day, Muslims face toward Mecca to pray. The duty of praying serves to bring Muslims closer to God 3.Alms: Muhammad taught that all Muslims have a responsibility to support the less fortunate. Muslims meet that social responsibility by giving alms, or money for the poor, through a special religious tax 4.Fasting: during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast. They eat and drink nothing between dawn and sunset. A simple meal is eaten at the end of the day. The duty of fasting reminds Muslims that they have “greater needs than bread” 5.Pilgrimage: all Muslims perform the hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in a lifetime. During the pilgrimage events in Mecca, all wear identical clothes so they stand as equals before God.

5. Mecca – the city where Muhammad was born – Muhammad began teaching here – Location of the largest Mosque in the world and the Kaaba. Muslims all face Mecca for their prayers and are supposed to visit at least once during their lifetime Medina – Originally known as Yathrib – Muhammad and his people migrated there after the Meccans denounced his beliefs – the city where the Holy Mosque of the prophet Muhammad is located Jerusalem – Dome of the Rock: a large mosque built over the place where Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven

6. When Muhammad died he left no directions for how the religion was to be led – Abu-Bakr, close friend of Muhammad, was chosen to be the first Caliph – Umar ibn al-Khattab, Uthman ibn al-Affan, and Ali ibn Abi Talib all ruled as Caliphs following Muhammad’s actions and using the Qur’an to guide their decisions – These Caliphs are known as the “rightly guided” Caliphs There was disagreement in choice of leadership after Ali and Muslims split into 2 groups: – Shi’ite (Shi’ah) Muslim: believe leaders must be related to Muhammad Imam is the religious leader – Sunni Muslim: believe leaders should be elected from among those capable of the job Caliph is the religious leader

7. In the first 3 centuries after Muhammad’s death, Islam expanded rapidly – Spread quickly into Syria as Abu-Bakr put down a rebellion of the Arab Tribes – Spread into the Byzantine and Persian empires through the trade routes from Mecca and Medina