1. Islam

2. Rise of Islam Who are the Arabs?
Semitic people like Phoenicians, Jews, Egyptians, Syrians
Tradition - son of Abraham through Ishmael
Roman times - many were Bedouin- lived in desert, usually tribal and polytheistic
revered Black meteor Ka’ba in Mecca

3. Founder MUhammed 570-632 Married wealthy widow, managed trade
Received a message from Gabriel (angel)
with a new revelation to follow Judaism and Christianity
spent time in desert contemplating
returned to convert others – trouble
Hijra: 622 A.D he left and went to Medina.
Turning point for Islam - many converts here

4. Founder Mohammed 570-632 Muhammad returned to Mecca in 630 A.D.
Destroyed idols in Kaaba
United Arabs under Islam
Muhammad died in 632 A.D. but Islam has grown into one of the world’s largest religions.

5. Spread of Islam
Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s father-in-law was chosen as his successor (caliph)
Ali – Muhammad’s son-in-law (Shiites)
Leader must come from Muhammad’s daughter
Others felt any good, devoted male from Muhammad’s tribe could be leader (Sunnis)
Today 90% of Muslims are Sunni.

6. Spread of Islam
Imam: this is a leader. Generally a person who leads prayers in a mosque.
Caliph: This means successor. In the pre-Islamic Arab world, this meant King or Ruler. They rule over a Caliphate. Just as the Pope is the leader over the Christian division of Roman Catholics, a Caliph is the leader over a division of Islam.

7. Beliefs of Islam Qur’an (Koran)- basis sacred book, ethical guide
Hadith – a collection of Muhammad’s sayings or things he did.
Five Pillars of Islam
Shahada: One God and his name is Allah (Mohammed is his prophet)
Salat: Pray 5 x a day facing Mecca
Zakat: Give alms to the poor (2%)
Sawm: Fast during daylight during Ramadan
Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca - once in life time
Sharia – application of the laws, ethics and morals expected of Muslims

8. Dar al-Islam