1. Basic Tenets of Islam

2. What is Islam and how is it related to Judaism and Christianity? Islam = “peace,” “submission” Islam = “peace,” “submission” Muslim = “submitter” Muslim = “submitter” Abraham’s two sons: Abraham’s two sons: Isaac  the Hebrews (Judaism  Christianity) Isaac  the Hebrews (Judaism  Christianity) Ishmael  the Arabs (Islam) Ishmael  the Arabs (Islam) Islam respects the two earlier Abrahamic religions as “Peoples of the Book” Islam respects the two earlier Abrahamic religions as “Peoples of the Book”

3. “The People of the Book”

4. Judaism, Christianity, & Islam share the same God, the God of Abraham: Yahweh = God = Allah!

5. Who was Muhammad? b. 570 CE, d. 632 CE b. 570 CE, d. 632 CE Prophet/founder; human, not divine Prophet/founder; human, not divine Lived in Arabia, near Mecca Lived in Arabia, near Mecca Orphaned by age 6, raised by grandfather and uncle Orphaned by age 6, raised by grandfather and uncle Worked as a caravan driver for a wealthy woman – Khadija – 15 years his senior Worked as a caravan driver for a wealthy woman – Khadija – 15 years his senior Age 25: accepted offer to marry Khadija Age 25: accepted offer to marry Khadija Sired six children; only one daughter – Fatimah – had children of her own Sired six children; only one daughter – Fatimah – had children of her own Age 40: Revelation begins Age 40: Revelation beginsRevelation beginsRevelation begins

6. Arabia

7. Mecca Mecca was the center of a booming pilgrimage industry, with much of the local economy reliant on worshippers traveling to the city to pray to the gods at a religious shrine known as the Ka’aba Mecca was the center of a booming pilgrimage industry, with much of the local economy reliant on worshippers traveling to the city to pray to the gods at a religious shrine known as the Ka’aba When Muhammad began teaching against those gods in favor of Allah, or the one true God, local leaders began to see him as a threat When Muhammad began teaching against those gods in favor of Allah, or the one true God, local leaders began to see him as a threat

8. The Hijra (Hegira) Muhammad and his followers were forced to flee from Mecca to the town of Yathrib (Medina) in 622 AD to avoid assassination and religious persecution Muhammad and his followers were forced to flee from Mecca to the town of Yathrib (Medina) in 622 AD to avoid assassination and religious persecution

9. The Development of Islam Early persecution by Meccans Early persecution by Meccans Year 619: wife and uncle both die Year 619: wife and uncle both die Year 622: Hijrah - migration to Yathrib (Medina = “City of the Prophet”) (year 1 AH) Year 622: Hijrah - migration to Yathrib (Medina = “City of the Prophet”) (year 1 AH) Success in Medina, defense against Meccan attacks Success in Medina, defense against Meccan attacks Year 630: Reclaiming of Mecca Year 630: Reclaiming of Mecca Year 632: first Muslim pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca, led by Muhammad who died a few months later, having united the Arab tribes under the banner of Islam Year 632: first Muslim pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca, led by Muhammad who died a few months later, having united the Arab tribes under the banner of Islam Within 100 years, spread east toward India and west into north Africa and Spain Within 100 years, spread east toward India and west into north Africa and Spain

10. The Death of Muhammad Died in 632, just months after delivering his “Farewell Sermon” Died in 632, just months after delivering his “Farewell Sermon” Buried in Medina Buried in Medina Tomb next to him remains empty, awaiting the return of the prophet Jesus Tomb next to him remains empty, awaiting the return of the prophet Jesus

11. What do Muslims Believe? One God (Allah) One God (Allah) Spiritual beings: Spiritual beings: Angels, Jinn and the Devil (“Iblis,” “Shaitan”) Angels, Jinn and the Devil (“Iblis,” “Shaitan”) Prophets & Messengers: Prophets & Messengers: Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, Muhammad… Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, Muhammad… Holy Books: Holy Books: Torah, Psalms, Gospels, Qur’an Torah, Psalms, Gospels, Qur’an Decrements (destiny) – Inshallah (“if God wills”) Decrements (destiny) – Inshallah (“if God wills”) End Times (eschatology) End Times (eschatology) Resurrection, Judgment day, Heaven & Hell Resurrection, Judgment day, Heaven & Hell

12. What is the Qur’an? Holy book of Islam Holy book of Islam Revealed to Muhammad by God through angel Gabriel Revealed to Muhammad by God through angel Gabriel Written piecemeal by scribes during or shortly after Muhammad’s life Written piecemeal by scribes during or shortly after Muhammad’s life Compiled as a whole about 20 years after Muhammad’s death Compiled as a whole about 20 years after Muhammad’s death Comprised of 114 chapters (called surahs) Comprised of 114 chapters (called surahs) Other Sources: Hadith and Sunnah (stories, sayings, and traditions of Muhammad) Other Sources: Hadith and Sunnah (stories, sayings, and traditions of Muhammad) Qur’an + Hadith and Sunnah = Shariah (Islamic Law) Qur’an + Hadith and Sunnah = Shariah (Islamic Law)

13. The Qu’ran (Koran)

14. Islam as a Way of Life Shariah (Islamic Law) Based on Qur’an + Hadith and Sunnah Based on Qur’an + Hadith and Sunnah Concerned with preserving human dignity through five principles: Concerned with preserving human dignity through five principles: preservation of life preservation of life preservation of progeny (family) preservation of progeny (family) preservation of intellect (education) preservation of intellect (education) preservation of wealth (property) preservation of wealth (property) preservation of religion preservation of religion not just for the individual but for the society not just for the individual but for the society

15. The Five Pillars Shahada – Witness: Shahada – Witness: “There is no God but The God (Allah) and Muhammad is the Prophet of God “There is no God but The God (Allah) and Muhammad is the Prophet of God Salat – Prayer, five times every day Salat – Prayer, five times every day Zakat – alms giving to the poor and needy Zakat – alms giving to the poor and needy Zakat Zakat Sawm – fasting, sun-up to sun-down during month of Ramadan Sawm – fasting, sun-up to sun-down during month of Ramadan Sawm Sawm Hajj – Pilgrimage to Mecca (at least once in a Muslim’s life, if able) Hajj – Pilgrimage to Mecca (at least once in a Muslim’s life, if able) Hajj Hajj

16. The Five Pillars of Islam

17. 1. Shahada Profession of faith Profession of faith “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet” “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet” Prohibits images of religious figures Prohibits images of religious figures Places limitations on the creation of an organized central “church” Places limitations on the creation of an organized central “church” Should be the first and last things one hears in life Should be the first and last things one hears in life

18. 2. Salat Daily prayer Daily prayer 5 times a day at set times (dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, nightfall) 5 times a day at set times (dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, nightfall) Must face in the direction of Mecca Must face in the direction of Mecca Prayer has a specific pattern to how it should be performed Prayer has a specific pattern to how it should be performed

19. Prayer Rug with Compass

20. What is a Mosque? A place for prayer, study, socializing A place for prayer, study, socializing No shoes in prayer hall No shoes in prayer hall Women cover head, separate from men Women cover head, separate from men Wudu room for ritual cleansing before prayer Wudu room for ritual cleansing before prayer Minaret for call to prayer (Adhaan) Minaret for call to prayer (Adhaan)Adhaan Prayer hall oriented toward Mecca (qibla) Prayer hall oriented toward Mecca (qibla) Imam (prayer leader) stands in mirahb (niche) Imam (prayer leader) stands in mirahb (niche)

21. Mosque = Muslim house of worship

22. 3. Zakat Give alms to the poor Give alms to the poor Purifies wealth Purifies wealth Creates dependable means of caring for the needy Creates dependable means of caring for the needy Not as burdensome as the Christian tithe (2.5% vs. 10%), does not go to the “church” but to the needy! Not as burdensome as the Christian tithe (2.5% vs. 10%), does not go to the “church” but to the needy!

23. 4. Siyam (Sawm) Fast (no food, drink, or sex) from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan Fast (no food, drink, or sex) from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan Renews spirit, brings one closer to Allah Renews spirit, brings one closer to Allah Teaches self-discipline, sense of community Teaches self-discipline, sense of community Not required for certain groups (children, pregnant or nursing women, the ill) Not required for certain groups (children, pregnant or nursing women, the ill)

24. 5. Hajj A pilgrimage to Mecca A pilgrimage to Mecca Should be undertaken at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime Should be undertaken at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime May be excused if it is unaffordable or if the Muslim is not physically capable May be excused if it is unaffordable or if the Muslim is not physically capable

25. The Ka’aba Older than Islam Older than Islam Supposedly first built by Abraham Supposedly first built by Abraham Eastern corner houses “the Black Stone” Eastern corner houses “the Black Stone” Covered in black silk with gold Shahada Covered in black silk with gold Shahada Entrance to interior is strictly limited Entrance to interior is strictly limited

29. Prohibitions Halal (permissible) and Haram (prohibited) No eating of pork (other dietary regulations = halal) No eating of pork (other dietary regulations = halal) No gambling No gambling No intoxicants No intoxicants No fornication (homosexuality, adultery, prostitution, etc.) No fornication (homosexuality, adultery, prostitution, etc.) No usury (charging or paying interest on loans) (the rich shall not profit from helping the poor) No usury (charging or paying interest on loans) (the rich shall not profit from helping the poor) No usury No usury

30. Who are Muslims? More than one billion Muslims in the world today More than one billion Muslims in the world today Two major groups: Two major groups: Sunni: 80% in many locations throughout the world Sunni: 80% in many locations throughout the world Shi’ite: 15%, mostly in Iran Shi’ite: 15%, mostly in Iran Difference is political, basic beliefs and practices are the same Difference is political, basic beliefs and practices are the same Sufis are Muslim mystics, come from both Sunni and Shi’ite backgrounds Sufis are Muslim mystics, come from both Sunni and Shi’ite backgrounds Most Muslims are not Arab and not all Arabs are Muslim Most Muslims are not Arab and not all Arabs are Muslim

31. Islam broke into two major branches: Sunnis & Shiites

32. Sunni v. Shia Sunnis … Sunnis … Believe that any devout Muslim can be the spiritual leader of the Islamic people Believe that any devout Muslim can be the spiritual leader of the Islamic people Almost 90% of modern Muslims Almost 90% of modern Muslims Shiites … Shiites … Believe that only a descendant of Muhammad is qualified to be the spiritual leader of Islam Believe that only a descendant of Muhammad is qualified to be the spiritual leader of Islam Less than 10%, mostly in Iran Less than 10%, mostly in Iran