Islam

1. Islam Colin A. Blydenburgh Global History and Geography I Grade 9, Mr. Kearney

2. Islamic Beliefs and Tradition SECTION 1

3. Islam • Islam is the belief in God (known as Allah) and Muhammad, who is said to have lived around 570-632 (Islam is the Arabic word for submission [to God])

4. Muhammad • Muhammad, as believed by Muslims (term used for the “believers” of Islamic religion), came from a family of traders at Mecca, the center of the Islamic world where Muhammad and Islam were born.(See map)

5. Mecca The picture to the right shows Mecca or the main religious city of Islam. According to ancient Arabic traditions Adam and Eve were once separated into to different parts of the Earth where they were later brought back together at Mecca.

6. The Ka’ba • The Ka’ba, also known as the Great Mosque, at Mecca is said by Muslims to be the most holy place in all of Islam and is the center of the world. - they area around the Ka’ba is considered sacred - inside the area is where God reigns and where man and animal are safe.

7. The Ka’ba The Ka’ba stands on a marble base with each of its corners pointing in the four directions of the compass. The Ka’ba is built of gray stones from the surrounding hills of Mecca. The door of the Ka’ba is facing northeast and is two meters tall.

8. The Ka’ba • Inside the Ka’ba are three wooden pillars that hold up the roof. There is no furniture other than gold and silver lamps and the floor is made of marble. • The Ka’ba is covered by a kiswa, or a black curtain produced in Egypt, and it is changed annually at the time of hajj, or a pre-pilgrimage ritual to Mecca.

9. The Ka’ba • To the east of the Ka’ba’s door, outside, is the sacred Black Stone, now in three pieces said to be made of a meteor, lava or basalt. • The wall between the black stone and the door is considered very sacred. • At the west corner is the Stone of Good fortune, which is believed to be far less sacred than the Black Stone.

10. Qur’an • The basis for Islamic law is found in the Qur’an (Koran), or Muslim “Bible” written by Muhammad and his disciples - It is believed that Angel Gabriel dictated the writing of the Qur’an • The Qur’an contains 114 surahs, or chapters, arranged from longest to shortest • For the Muslims the Qur’an is the word of God

11. Qur’an • The image to the right is the Islamic Qur’an decorated in white ink and framed in gold.

12. The Five Articles of Faith • The main doctrines of Islam are called the “five articles of faith” All Muslims are expected to live by these articles 1. Allahalone is the creator of all the universe. A. Allah is the Arabic translation for God Adapted from mnsu.edu

13. The Five Articles of Faith 2. Angels exist and interact with human lives. They are comprised of light and each have different purposes or messages to bring to Earth. A. Each man or woman has two angels who record their actions; one record of good deeds and one record of bad deeds. Adapted from mnsu.edu

14. The Five Articles of Faith 3. Scripture. There are four inspired books, the Torah of Moses, the Psalms of David (Zabin), the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Injil) and the Qur’an. A. It is believed that all but the Qur’an have been corrupted by the Jews and Christians over time. Adapted from mnsu.edu

15. The Five Articles of Faith 4. Prophets. Allah has spoken through numerous prophets overtime. A. The six greatest prophets are: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. Muhammad is the last and greatest of Allah’s messengers. Adapted from mnsu.edu

16. The Five Articles of Faith 5. Last Days. On the “last day” there will be a time of resurrection and judgment. Those who follow Allah and Muhammad go to Islamic heaven or paradise. Those who do not will go to hell. Adapted from mnsu.edu

17. The Five Pillars of Faith • The Five Pillars of Faith are observances in Islam which are duties each Muslim must perform. 1. Creed (Kalima) - “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the prophet of Allah.” One must state this publicity to become a muslim Adapted from mnsu.edu

18. The Five Pillars of Faith 2. Prayer (Salat) - Prayer must be done five times a day(upon rising, at noon, in mid-afternoon, after sunset, and before going to sleep. The call for prayer is sounded by a muezzin (Muslim Crier) from a tower within a mosque, or Muslim house of worship. Adapted from mnsu.edu

19. The Five Pillars of Faith 3. Almsgiving (Zakat) – Muslims are required to give one fourth of their income to the needy. Since those who give are helping achieve greater salvation, there is no sense of shame in receiving charity. Adapted from mnsu.edu

20. The Five Pillars of Faith 4. Fasting (Ramadan) – during the holy month of Ramadan, faithful Muslims fast from sunup to sundown each day. This develops self-control, devotion to God, and identity to the needy. Adapted from mnsu.edu

21. The Five Pillars of Faith 5. Pilgrimage (Hajj) – Each Muslim is supposed to travel to Mecca at least once in their lifetime if they have means to do it or are physically capable of the trip. It is a essential part of gaining salvation and it involves a set of rituals and ceremonies. Adapted from mnsu.edu

22. The Five Pillars of Faith • A sixth “pillar” is also associated with the five pillars of Islam: 6. Jihad – or holy war, if needed men are required to go to war to defend or spread Islam. If they are killed they are guaranteed eternal life in paradise. Adapted from mnsu.edu

23. Other Islamic Beliefs • Other Islamic beliefs include: ○ God did not have a son ○ Jesus (pbuh) is a prophet, born of the Virgin Mary ○ Jesus was not executed on the cross, instead he was taken up into paradise. ○ The existence of Satan drives people to sin. ○ Muslims sincerely repent and submit to God in return for sinlessness. ○ All people are considered children of Adam. Islam officially rejects racism

24. Other Islamic Beliefs Other Islamic beliefs continued… ○ All children are born on Al-Fitra (a pure, natural state of submission to Islam) ○ When a child reaches puberty an account of their deeds is opened in paradise. When they die their destination (paradise or hell) depends on the good and bad deeds in the account. ○ Alcohol, illegal drugs, gambling, and eating pork are to be avoided Adapted from religious tolerance.org

25. Early Islam SECTION 2