1. There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet
islam

2. Fastest growing religion in world; 1.2 billion Muslims
Facts of Islam
Fastest growing religion in world; 1.2 billion Muslims (
Islam= entering into peace with God through submission to Him
Muslim= one who submits

3. Born 571 AD, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Muhammad
Born 571 AD, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Orphan by age 6, raised by grandfather, then uncle
Age 25: managed a wealthy woman’s businesses (Khadija). Impressed by his honesty and integrity, she married him
He becomes rich & respected, but wealth does not bring satisfaction and spends time at Mt. Hira
Often sought solitude in desert
He has vision of Archangel Gabriel who calls him to be a prophet of the “One True God- Allah”
Last and greatest of prophets: Moses, Jesus, Muhammad (People of the Book, monotheism)
5 Pillars of Faith: Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Saum, Hajj

4. The Five Pillars

5. Hegira: The Flight to Medina
After vision, preaches on street. Wife and uncle die in 619AD, and he is exiled 622AD
Wealthy business people don’t like his religious tenants:
Against polytheism: but was a source of income
Humanity is equal: threatens rigid social structure of upper class exploiting poor
Strict moral code: no murder, smuggling, drinking alcohol, degrading women
Leaving Mecca to Medina begins Islamic calendar, increase in numbers of Muslims

6. Returns to Mecca, smashes idols around Ka’ba- victory at Badr
The Spread of Islam
Muhammad sends letters to leaders of other nations commanding them to convert and follow the knowledge of God
Returns to Mecca, smashes idols around Ka’ba- victory at Badr
Has a vision while resting near the Ka’ba- In vision he is taken to Jerusalem & Mt. Moriah (Dome of the Rock) by angel Gabriel, where he ascends into heaven and is given the “supreme treasury of knowledge” from God Himself. The Qur’an
Marries 9 women, has sons (all die), daughter Fatima survives- marries “cousin” Ali and is given authority from Muhammad for his last will (Shi’ia) Creates division between Shi’ite and Sunni sects (Caliph/generals in Muham-mad’s army) in Islam Dies of an illness and is buried in Medina, 632AD

7. The exact words revealed by God to Muhammad
The Qur’an (Koran)
The exact words revealed by God to Muhammad
Memorized by Muhammad, written by scribes
Not one word in the 114 Sutras (chapters) has been changed since 640AD
Hadith: reliable transmissions of the practice and example of Muhammad’s life as he lived out his faith
Tafsir: explanations of the Qur’an by Arabic scholars
Sayings:
“God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others”
“None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself”
“He who eats his fill while his neighbor goes without food is not a believer”

8. Jihad Shari’a “To make an effort”
Jihad and Shari’a
Jihad
“To make an effort”
Greater Jihad: fulfillment of a personal goal or overcoming the wrongdoing in oneself
Lesser Jihad: fighting in defense of Muslims who are under attack
Jihad should not break the limits set in the Qur’an or the Hadith (pg. 185)
Shari’a
The law of the ‘umma (community) and individuals
-how to live a righteous life
-both political and religious law
-Leaders were caliphs (successor of the Prophet), Imams(descendants of the Prophet to Shi’ites), Ayatullahs(experts in Qur’an or individuals who are examples to imitate)