1. Sharvil Desai

2.  Islam means “submission; resignation” to the will of God  Pre-Islam most people in the Middle East were polytheistic worshipping many gods including Allah  Roots from Christianity and Judaism  Second largest religion in the world  Most recently founded religion  Started around 622 AD  (Beth Davies-Stofka) http://www.patheos.com/Library/Islam.html

3.  Founder: Muhammad, a merchant who had become very knowledgeable on Christianity and Judaism through his travels  Muhammad is considered the final prophet after Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus  Had revelations that he believed were from God  Presented his revelations to the people of Mecca  Mostly ridiculed but gained a few followers  (Encylcopedia Britannica: Islam) http://www.patheos.com/Library/Islam/Origins/Beginnings.html

4.  Attacked and had to flee to Medina  People of Medina embraced Islamic faith and followed Muhammad  He became a political and military leader and in 630 AD he attacked Mecca  Mecca almost immediately surrendered and became the center of Islam  (Beth Davies-Stofka) http://www.patheos.com/Library/Islam/Origins/Beginnings?offset=1&max=1

5.  The contents of Muhammad’s revelations were recorded by his followers and compiled into the sacred text known as the Qur’an  Muslims base their laws on the Qur’an and the Sunnah  Their way of life is dictated by the Sunnah and the five Pillars of Islam  (BBC: Islam)

6.  There is only one God called Allah  Muhammad is the restorer of the original, monotheistic faith of Adam, Moses, and Jesus  Belief in the six articles of faith  The Qur’an is the holy book of Islam  The Sunnah and Pillars of Islam prescribe the way of life http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/galleries/hajj/

7.  Shahādah: Declaration of faith (rite of passage)  Salāt: Praying 5 times a day (clean, facing Mecca)  Zakāt: Giving money to charity (2.5%)  Saum: Fasting  Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once (optional)  (BBC: Islam) http:// www.flickr.com/photos/4444/417596839 /

8.  Belief in Allah as the one and only God  Belief in Allah’s angels  Belief in the holy books  Belief in the prophets  Belief in the day of judgement: the day everyone will be judged and sent to heaven or hell  Belief in predestination: Allah knows of everything  (BBC Islam: Basic Articles of Faith) http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/texts/quran_1.shtml

9.  The death of Muhammad in 622 AD was a major crisis for the newfound Muslim population  In this, 2 major groups emerged with possible solutions  Sunni Muslims wanted the new leader to be someone who is capable for the job  Shia Muslims wanted the new leader to be related to Muhammad, regardless of merit

10.  Five Pillars of Islam  Ramadan: 9 th month of Islamic calender, fasting during daylight hours  In the Middle East, where there is political turmoil Islam provides unity between people  (BBC Islam Ramadan) http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Men_praying_at_Babur_Gardens_in_2010.jpg

11. Davies-Stofka, Beth, and Mohammed Fadel. "Islam Origins, Islam History, Islam Beliefs." Islam Origins, Islam History, Islam Beliefs. Patheos, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. "Islam." Islam. ReligionFacts, 17 Mar. 2004. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. "Islam (religion)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 July 2012. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. "Religion: Islam." BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012.