The World of Islam

1. The World of Islam

2. Hebrew story of Ishmael (Torah) • Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; 2 so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.” • Abram agreed to what Sarai said. 3 So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife.4 He slept with Hagar, and she conceived.

3. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me.” • 6 “Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.

4. Abraham talking to G-d about Ishmael • (G-d speaking) And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. 21 But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.”

5. Sarah rejects Hagar and Ishmael • and she (Sarah) said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.” • 11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. 12 But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring[b] will be reckoned. 13 I will make the son of the slave into a nation also, because he is your offspring.”

6. 14 Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the Desert of Beersheba. • God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 

7. 18 Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” • 19 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. • 20 God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer.21 While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.

8. Desert of Paran Mecca

9. The Rise of Islam The Arabs Arose in the Arabian Peninsula and influenced Western Asia and beyond. They were a nomadic, Semitic-speaking people who lived in the arid climate of the Arabian Peninsula. The environment was harsh, they were organized into tribes and were led by a sheikh who was chosen from a council of elders. The tribes were independent, but worked together

10. Early Religion -Most Early Arabs were polytheistic, many recognized a chief, or supreme god who they called Allah which is Arabic for “God.” -Allah was symbolized by a sacred stone, each tribe had their own stone, but there was one central stone called the Black stone which was placed in the shrine called the Kaaba. -This shrine was located in the city of Makkah (Mecca) in what is now Saudi Arabia.

11. Trade The Arabian Peninsula became an important center for trade. The city of Mecca became rich from the caravan trade traffic which passed through the area. The domestication of the camel enabled traffic to cross the deserts and as empires grew up in the region trade increased greatly. As the merchants became rich from the Caravan traffic the life of the poor people of the area suffered.

12. The Life of Muhammad Muhammad was born in Makkah in present-day Saudi Arabia to a merchant family. His parents died when he was young and he ended up living with his uncle who was a merchant and he became a caravan manager. Muhammad in Arabic Calligraphy

13. Muhammad married an older widow named Khadija. Over time, he found the richness and corruption of the merchants and townspeople to be troubling. He decided to visit the hills to meditate. Muslims believe that while he was meditating in the hills he received revelations from God through the Angel Gabriel.

14. Muhammad’s Revelation Muslims believe the Angel Gabriel told Muhammad to recite what he heard, it was believed that Allah had already revealed himself through Moses and Jesus, but now had a final revelation for man. This final revelation became the religion of Islam. Which means submission to the will of God.

15. The Quran (Koran) The revelations to Muhammad were written down by scribes and became known as TheQuran, which is the holy book of Islam. The Quran contains ethical guidelines and laws by which Muslims (followers of Islam) should live their lives.

16. After the Revelation After Muhammad received his revelation he went to his wife Khadija, she was his first convert to the new religion. He began to try to convert the people of Makkah to his message, but he was unsuccessful. After three years he was forced to go to the city of Yathrib, which later became Medina. This flight, or migration, is known as the Hijrah and marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. This was in the year 622 CE.

17. Acceptance in the city of the Prophet In Yathrib, renamed Medina (which means the city of the prophet) Muhammad was accepted and gained followers. One of the groups which converted to the new religion of Islam were the Bedouins who were desert Arabs. This new community became the first to practice the religion. After several years, Muhammad became both a spiritual and political leader, there was not an idea of the separation of church and state. He raised an army and conquered the city of Makkah.

18. The Kaaba After Muhammad took the city of Makkah he cleansed the Kaaba of idols and dedicated it to Allah, who he taught was the one true God. All Muslims are encouraged to make a pilgrimage to Makkah known as the Hajj at least once in their life if they are physically and financially able.

19. The Five Pillars of Islam

20. Shahabad • Repetition of the Creed • There is no God but Allah; Muhammad is the messenger of Allah; La ilaha illa Allah • Confession of faith • First word a child hears, likely to be last words uttered by a dying Muslim

21. Salaht • Daily Prayer,five times • Dawn, midday, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall • Muezzins: in many Muslim communities, strong voiced men climb to the tops of minarets (towers) and cry out that it is time for prayer • Must wash hands and feet before prayer to be cleansed of any impurities (sand if water is not available) • Face Mecca and offer prayers • Men and women do not pray together • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUre6AxB340

22. Zakaht • Almsgiving or sharing of possessions • Muslims are expected to share their possessions with the poor, widows and orphans • May be used to support religious institutions, scholars and students • 2.5 and 10 percent of one’s wealth • receiving is also considered a source of God’s blessing

23. Sawm • Fasting: longest and most stringent • Ramadan: no eating, drinking, smoking or sexual relations during the hours of daylight (enough light to distinguish a black thread from a white thread) • In remembrance of when Muhammad first received his revelation • Excused: sick, nursing mothers, travelers and small children

24. Hajj • Pilgrimage, part of pre-Islamic Arab religion • Mentioned in Qur’an as ritual duty • At least once if one can afford it • Takes place during Dhu al-Hijah: special month in Muslim calendar • Outside of Mecca, pilgrims must leave whatever transportation and walk the rest of the way • Clad in simple garments, no head covering and simple sandals; poor and rich cannot be distinguished by their apparel • Abstain from food, drink and sex during daylight hours • Walks around the Ka’ba seven times and kiss the sacred black stone • Sacrifice a sheep or goat on tenth day to symbolize Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice even his own son to obey God’s command • After these duties, they may visit Medina to pay respect to the grave of Muhammad and to visit his mosque • When pilgrims return home, they may have the title haji attached to their names so all the world will know they have fulfilled this religious obligation.