1. Foundations of Islam
Learning Target: Today we will be learning about Muhammad, how Islam was established, what Muslims practice, and how Islam relates to other religions
Success Criteria:
I can explain how Muhammed founded Islam
I can name 2 important cities from Muhammed’s background
I can describe the link between Islam & 2 other religions
I can define what the Quran is
I can name 2 of the Five Pillars of Islam

2. Foundations of Islam
Muhammad was born into a poor merchant family in Mecca
He became a caravan trader who met many people of different religions like Christianity and Judaism who practiced monotheism or belief in one God
Most Arabs at the time were polytheists which means belief in many gods
At 40, the angel Gabriel came to Muhammed in a vision and told him to recite verses that Allah was revealing to Muhammad
He was also told to teach others his revelations, and he began to gain followers

3. Foundations of Islam
Arabic rulers didn’t like Muhammed and his teachings because they thought he was threatening their authority
In Mecca, Arabs worshipped at the Kaaba, a black box with idols inside
Arab rulers feared that the spread of Muhammed’s teachings would end the pilgrimage to Mecca
They began to harass Muhammed and his followers so they fled to Medina where he gained many new followers
The escape from Mecca to Medina became known as the hijra, and it is the first year on the Muslim calendar

4. Foundations of Islam
After many new followers converted to Islam, Muhammad led them all back to Mecca where a war broke out
He reclaimed the city of Mecca for Allah and made it the most holy city
The idols in the Kaaba were destroyed & it is now a holy place for Muslims
Muhammed used wise policies, tolerance, & force to spread Islam
A few years after he died, Islam was practiced all of the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa

5. The Quran
The holy book of Islam is the Qur’an, and it is the word of Allah that was revealed to Muhammad
It provides guidelines on how to live and emphasizes the importance of jihad which means “the struggle to defend the faith”
Since it was revealed to Muhammad in Arabic, Muslims believe if the Quran has been translated out of Arabic it is not a Quran at all
Over time, a code of law called Sharia Law was created by Islamic scholars based on the Quran

6. The 5 Pillars of Islam
To obey the will of Allah, Muslims must perform acts of worship known as the five pillars
Belief: Claiming there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet
Prayer: Pray 5 times a day facing the city of Mecca
Charity: Paying zakat which is an annual tax to help the poor
Fasting: Muslims eat and drink nothing from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan
Pilgrimage: If at all possible, travel to Mecca at least once in your life

7. A Father of Many Nations/Religions
Judaism
Abraham and Sarah
Hagar
Isaac
Ishmael
Christianity
Jacob/Judah
Islam
Muhammed
Jesus

8. Similarities in Beliefs (Muslims, Christians, & Jews)
All 3 religions are monotheists
Monotheism in the belief in ONE god
All 3 religions believe God spoke to people through prophets
Muslims believe that Muhammad is the last and greatest prophet