1. IslamAn Abrahamic Religion
Muslims are strict monotheists.
They believe in the Judeo- Christian God, which they call Allah.
Muslims believe that the Torah and the Bible, like the Qur’an, is the word of God.
Peoples of the Book

2. Basic Facts of Islam
Islam is the third in succession of the three great monotheistic faiths born in the Middle East (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)
Islam is the second largest religion in world (1.2 billion adherents)
Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world

3. The Qur'an:
God's Last
Revelation

4. The Qur’an Muslims believe it contains the word of God.
114 suras (chapters).
Written in Arabic.

5. The
Five Pillars of
Islam

6. 1. The Shahada The testimony.
The declaration of faith:
There is no god worthy of worship except God, and Muhammad is His Messenger [or Prophet]. 1

7. 2. The Salat
The mandatory prayers performed 5 times a day: * dawn * noon * late afternoon * sunset * before going to bed
Wash before praying.
Face Mecca and use a prayer rug. 2

8. 3. The Zakat Almsgiving (charitable donations).
Muslims believe that all things belong to God.
Zakat means both “purification” and “growth.”
About 2.5% of your income. 3

9. 4. The Sawm Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.
Considered a method of self- purification.
No eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan. 4

10. 5. The Hajj The pilgrimage to Mecca.
Must be done at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime.
2-3 million Muslims make the pilgrimage every year. 5

11. Ka’bah
Ka’bah- cube shaped building that was built by Abraham to honor God
Was filled with idols as people in Arabia followed polytheism
Muhammad- received revelations that led to Islam and monotheism (and removal of idols)
Site of hajj- pilgrimage to Mecca

17. Other Islamic Religious Practices
No alcohol or pork.
No gambling.
Sharia  body of Islamic law to regulate daily living.
Three holiest cities in Islam: * Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem.

18. Arabia at the Dawn of Islam
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Major Arabian Tribes at Dawn of Islam

19. Expanse of the Umayyad Caliphate
Umayyad Caliphate in 750 CE
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Right image retrieved from
Roman Empire in 117 CE

20. Central Historical Question How did the early Islamic empire expand?

21. Expansion of the Early Caliphates
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22. Islam after Muhammad Caliph – Undisputed Leader .
Left 1 Child – Fatima
Idea of Caliphate
Islam - united religion and political entity
1 great ruler
Law of Koran
Successors
1st 4 “rightly guided caliphs)
1st caliph Abu Bakr (Muhammad’s father in law)
Umayyad (Arabian)
Abbasid (Persian) .

23. Expansion of Islam Rise of Conquests
100 Years after Muhammad’s Death (632)
Great period of expansion
Expanded through word of mouth and conquest
Moved into Spain and India
Arab Soldier
Dedicated and serious fighter
Ghazq tradition
Raiding Caravans and camps
Practice warfare from 15 years old

25. The Spread of Islam Easy to learn and practice. No priesthood.
Teaches equality.
Non-Muslims, who were “Peoples of the Book,” were allowed religious freedom, but paid additional taxes.
Easily “portable”  nomads & trade routes.
Jihad (“Holy War”) against pagans and other non-believers (“infidels”).

26. Muslims in the World Today

27. Countries with the Largest Muslim Population1.
Indonesia
183,000,000 6.
Iran
62,000,000 2.
Pakistan
134,000,000 7.
Egypt
59,000,000 3.
India
121,000,000 8.
Nigeria
53,000,000 4.
Bangladesh
114,000,000 9.
Algeria
31,000,000 5.
Turkey
66,000,000
10.
Morocco
29,000,000
* Arabs make up only 20% of the total Muslim population of the world.

28. Sunni vs. Shia Sunni Shia Majority of Muslims Follow Teachings
Recognize 1st 4 caliphs as Muhammad’s Successors
Follow Ideas
Devoted to Ali idn Abi Talib
Follow Bloodlines
Believed previous Caliphs went against Muhammad
10% of Muslims today