1. Islam Unit 2, SSWH 5 a & c

2. Origins of Islam
Muhammad (founder), Allah sent him an angel, Gabriel – Muhammad was told he is a messenger.
Islam: “submission to the will of Allah” in Arabic
Muslim: “one who has submitted”
Muhammad: considered the last & greatest prophet

3. Beliefs 5 Pillars: Faith, Prayer, Alms, Fasting, & Pilgrimage
People are responsible for their own actions
Qur’an or Koran: Muslim holy book
People follow the Sunna (Muhammad’s example) & Shar’ia (law)

4. Religion Divides
Muhammad died in 632 A.D. & didn’t tell how to choose a successor (caliph)
Muslims split over the next caliph: Sunni and Shi’a
“Rightly Guided Caliphs” 4 were chosen after Muhammad’s death: loyal friends of Muhammad

5. Sunni Believed 1st four caliphs were correct
Believed Muslim rulers should follow the Sunna, Muhammad’s example
Claimed Shi’a distorted the meaning of the Qur’an

6. Shi’a
Believed Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law, should have succeed Muhammad
Believed Muslim rulers should descend from Muhammad
Didn’t recognize the authority of the Sunna
Claimed Sunni distorted the meaning of the Qur’an