Understanding Islam: Basic Beliefs and Practices

1. 2 May 2016EQ – What are the basic beliefs of Muslims?EQ – What are the Crusades? • Bellringer –Draw & Explain the Social Pyramid for the Middle AGes • Basics of Islam • Basics of Crusades • HW : Review Notes on Islam! • *Middle Ages Assessment Thursday • Study Guide due Wednesday • Shields due Friday

2. Break Down by Numbers • Christianity – 2.1 Billion • Islam – 1.3 Billion • Hinduism – 856 Million • Buddhism – 381 Million • Judaism – 14.8 Million • Non Religious – 801 Million • Atheist – 152 Million

3. Geographic Distribution of Muslims Islam is the second most common religion in the world There are more than 1.3 billion Muslims in the world There are about 6 million Muslims in the United States

4. An Overview of Islam

5. Introduction • Islam means “PEACE” ~ Peace comes from total submission to God (according to Islam) • Name of God in Arabic is ALLAH • Muslim is a person – follower of Islam • Muslims believe in One God (monotheistic) • Muslims accept Muhammad as the final prophet of God

6. Allah The name for God in the Arabic language

7. Prophets For Example: Noah, Abraham, Moses David, Jesus& Muhammad (Peace be upon them)

8. Muslims… believe in Allah as the only true God, and that Muhammad is his Final Prophet.

9. Muhammad • Islam is a monotheistic faith centered around belief in the one God (Allah). In this regard, it shares some beliefs with Judaism and Christianity by tracing its history back to the patriarch Abraham, and ultimately to the first prophet, Adam. All the prophets preached the same universal message of belief in one God and kindness to humanity. The last in the series of prophets, according to Muslims, was Muhammad.Muhammad was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia around 570 CE. He worked first as a shepherd and then as a merchant. He was not happy with the people around him because of superstitions and social and economic injustice. The people were worshipping many gods and had forgotten the message of prophet Abraham to worship one God. Muhammad loved to pray and meditate in the mountains. On one of those occasions, in the year 610 CE, when he was about 40 years old, he received a revelation from God through the angel Jibril (Gabriel). He continued to receive messages from God throughout his life and he began preaching to others what he had learned. His main message is that there was no other God but Allah and that people should lead their lives in a way that was pleasing to Allah.

10. Muhammad • Muhammad was born in Mecca around 570 • As an adult he managed a caravan business owned by a woman whom he later married when he was 25. • Mecca was a changing city & Muhammad was growing concerned about these changes.

11. Muhammad • When he was around 40, he went to meditate in a cave. According to religious writings, an angel spoke to Muhammad telling him to “Recite! Recite!” • “Recite in the name of your Lord who created, created man from clots of blood! Recite! Your Lord is the Most Bountiful One, Who by the pen taught man what he did not know.” – translated by N.J. Dawood • Muslims believe that God spoke to Muhammad through an angel – making him a prophet – the final prophet for Islam. • The messages were recorded in the Qur’an

12. Islam Basics • The Final Messenger of God→ Muhammad • Name of God in Arabic→ Allah • Islam→ “To submit to God.” • Muslim→ A follower of Islam • Hajj→ The pilgrimage to Mecca (trip) • Holy Book→ Qur’an • House of Worship→ Mosque • Minaret→ The slender tower of a mosque

13. Qur’an Revealed 1400 years ago to Muhammad – believed to be the exact word of God

14. Mosque The Place where Muslims Pray Muhammad’s house became the first mosque

15. Five Pillars of Practice In Islam • 1. Accepting One God and prophet Muhammad as his final messenger • 2. Prayers – 5 times a day • 3. Fasting – for 30 days during Ramadan • 4. Charity – to the deserving and less fortunate • 5. Pilgrimage – Hajj to Mecca, Saudi Arabia at least once in your lifetime

16. 1 2 3 4 5 Islam The five pillars of Islam…

17. 1 Shahadah The Declaration of Faith (shahada): The first act of worship is the declaration that "There is no deity except God and Muhammad is the messenger of God." Muslims repeat this statement many times a day during their prayers. If someone wants to become a Muslim, he or she makes this profession of faith as an entry into Islam.

18. 2 Prayer Prayer (salat): Islam prescribes a brief prayer or ritual worship five times a day: at dawn, noon, late afternoon, sunset and night. Muslims perform ablution before prayer -- a brief prescribed washing of the hands, mouth, nose, face, arms and feet. One may pray alone or in a group in any clean location, including a mosque. The Friday noon prayer is special to Muslims and is done in a mosque if possible. Muslims face in the direction of Mecca when they pray

19. Today’s Prayer Times • “...set up Regular Prayers: For such prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times. " Qur'an 4:103 Prayer Times for Chicago, Illinois, United States – 4/25/17 • http://www.prayertimenyc.com/prayer-times-chicago/

20. 3 Zakat-Charity Muslims are required to give to the poor and needy. Islam prescribes an obligatory charity, known as zakat, based on two and a half percent of one's income and wealth. In addition to this prescribed charity, Muslims are encouraged to give as much as they can in voluntary charity throughout the year

21. 4 Fasting Muslims are required to fast from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar. People gather in the evenings for a festive breaking of the fast. When fasting, Muslims refrain from food, liquid, and sexual activity. During Ramadan, Muslims are also supposed to abstain from negative behaviors such as lying, gossip, petty arguments, and negative thoughts or behaviors, including getting angry. Muslims are required to start fasting when they reach puberty, although some younger children may also fast. People who are sick, traveling, menstruating, and pregnant or nursing may break their fast, but may make up the days later in the year. The elderly and people with disabilities are excused from fasting

22. 5 4 million people go to Hajj every year The Kaaba is the most sacred place in Islam, a mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia (believed to be made by Abraham & son)

23. Notes on the Crusades

24. Definitions: • Crusades- A long series of wars between Christians and Muslims for control of the Holy Land. • Holy Land- The region where Jesus lived, preached & died.

25. A Little Background… Crusade – Latin – “marked with a cross”

26. Crusades Notes • Pope Urban II called on all Christians to retake the Holy Land from Muslim Turks. • European Nobles and Knights joined together to fight the Muslims.

27. Crusades Notes Continued… • First Crusade= 1099 AD- Europeans take Jerusalem • 2nd Crusade= 1147 AD- It failed • 3rd Crusade= 1189 AD- King Richard of England fought, but lost • 4th Crusade= 1201 AD- Unsuccessful

28. Why did the Crusades Fail? • The Crusaders had to travel huge distances just to reach the war. Many died along the way.

29. Why did the Crusades Fail? • Crusaders weren’t prepared to fight in Palestine’s desert climate. • The Christians were outnumbered by their well-led and organized Muslim foes. • Christian leaders fought among themselves and planned poorly. • They even attacked a Christian city along the way!

30. What happened because of the Crusades? • Trade grew between Europe and Asia. • Crusaders brought new ideas back with them to Europe that had been isolated for many years. • Kings and Nobles increased power because of the loss of knights. • Distrust between Christians and Muslims started in the Medieval Era…

31. “Silver Lining?” • Geographic knowledge increased through travel of Crusaders and map acquisition. • Heraldic emblems were copied from the Muslims. • Trade increased as European ports were opened in the Middle East. • Shipbuilding and navigational skills increased. • Codes for sea behavior were instituted. • University concept was introduced and strengthened based on Baghdad & Cairo models. • Military knowledge increased • The cotton paper-making process replaced importing parchment; the amount of writing increase. • The handkerchief was introduced to Europe. • Literature imported Sinbad the Sailor, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Aladdin • Art: mosaics, stained glass windows • Music: the guitar and the violin introduced • Mathematics: Arabic numbers, decimals and spherical trigonometry, algebra, sine and tangent • Science: physics and astronomy, the pendulum, optics and the telescopes • Herbs and spices: cinnamon, cloves, mace, nutmeg, saffron, and pepper • Food: sugar cane and syrup, lemons, apricots, plums, dates, rhubarb, almonds, shallots, and watermelons

32. Dark Ages? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZDe9DCx7Wk