Islam

1. Islam • Submission to the one God, Allah • The world’s fastest-growing and second-largest religion • Central teachings are derived from the Quran, the primary sacred text and Islam’s earthly center. • Muhammad, the final prophet,. exemplifies human perfection.

2. Muhammad • Muhammad was born about 570 c.e. into the leading tribe of Mecca.. • Muhammad was an orphan and was raised by his uncle. • He was a hard-working boy, honest and dependable who began his life as a shepherd and later went into the trading business. • He was a caravan manager for a wealthy widow, Khadija, whom he eventually married. • Muhammad was 25 and Khadija was about 40! • They had at least 6 children and a long and happy marriage.

3. Muhammad as a prophet • The angel Gabriel commanded Muhammad to “recite”! • Citizens of Mecca were hostile to the message. • Muhammad fled north to Yathrib, (Medina) • This was known as the Hijra, an event on which the Muslims base their calendar. • Most of Arabia were converted to Islam by the time of Muhammad’s death in 632.

4. Allah • Muslims have 99 names for Allah or God. • Prophets are the link between people and Allah. • Abraham is the father of the Arab people. • Moses and Jesus are also revered. • Muhammad is the last and the “seal” of the prophets. • Muslims consider human nature as essentially good, sin occurs when people forget their natural goodness.

5. Th e Five Pillars of Islam • Confession of faith in one God and acknowledgment of Muhammad as a unique prophet. • Prayer 5 times a day. • Fasting during Ramadan • Wealth sharing - 2.5 percent of their gross income. • Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a person’s life..

6. Social Teachings • Shariah Law - Divine law governing most Islamic countries. • Islam regards men and women as equals but with different roles. • Jihad represents the struggle of individuals and society to act in accordance with shariah law.

7. Mecca

8. The Hajj

9. Expansion and Varieties of Islam • Within one century after Muhammad’s death, Islamic civilization spread throughout the Middle East, Persia, North Africa, and almost all of Spain. • Currently, the greatest concentration of Muslims is across the northern half of Africa, all of the Middle East, southwestern and South Asia, and the islands of Malaysia and Indonesia. • Islam is the fastest growing religion in the United States.

10. Sunni and Shi/ism • The majority of Muslims are Sunni. • They follow the established custom, or sunnah, meaning the Sunnah of the prophet, Muhammad. • Shi/ism believes in Imams. They are religious leaders who are direct descendants of Muhammad. • Iran and Iraq are Shi’ites.

11. Sufi’s • The term comes from the Islam’s word, suf -the coarse wool garment that is worn by Sufis. • Sufism strives to experience Allah as immanent - dwelling within each worshipper. • The Sufi experiences oneness with Allah and gains spiritual fortitude. • Sufis are not necessarily popular among Muslims. • Sufis live monastic lives with a shaykh as their head.