Rekha Pande

1. Rekha Pande Islam- its philosophy and spread

2. Islam-Meaning • The literal meaning of Islam is peace; surrender of one’s will i.e. losing oneself for the sake of God and surrendering one’s own pleasure for the pleasure of God. • The message of Islam was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad nearly 1, 400 years ago. • 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.

3. Prophet Mohammad • Muhammad, son of Abdullah, son of Abdul Muttalib, of the tribe of Quraysh, was born in Makkah fifty-three years before the Hijrah. • As a young boy he traveled with his uncle in the merchants’ caravan to Syria, and some years afterwards made the same journey in the service of a wealthy widow named Khadijah. • So faithfully did he transact the widow’s business, and so excellent was the report of his behavior, which she received from her old servant who had accompanied him, that she soon afterwards married her young agent; and the marriage proved a very happy one, though she was fifteen years older than he was • Throughout the twenty-six years of their life together he remained devoted to her; and after her death, when he took other wives he always mentioned her with the greatest love and reverence

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5. The first revelation • It was Mohammads practice to retire often to a cave in the desert for meditation. His place of retreat was Hira’, a cave in a mountain called the Mountain of Light not far from Makkah, in the month of Ramadan. • It was there one night toward the end of his quiet month that the first revelation came to him when he was forty years old. • He heard a voice say: “Read!” He said: “I cannot read.” The voice again said: “Read!” He said: “I cannot read.” A third time the voice said: •       “Read: In the name of thy Lord Who createth.      “Createth man from a clot.      “Read: And it is thy Lord the Most Bountiful      “Who teacheth by the pen,      “Teacheth man that which he knew not.”

6. The cave Hira’ in the Mountain of Light- Jabal Al-Nur • Muhammad eventually accepted the tremendous task imposed on him, becoming filled with enthusiasm of obedience

7. First Converts and persecution • For the first three years, the Prophet preached to his family and his intimate friends, while the people of Makkah as a whole regarded him as one who had become a little mad. • The first of all his converts was his wife Khadijah. • The second his first cousin Ali, whom he had adopted. • The third his servant Zayd, a former slave. • His old friend Abu Bakr also was among those early converts. • At the end of the third year the Prophet began to preach in public, pointing out the wretched folly of idolatry. • It was then, when he began to speak against their gods, that Quraysh became actively hostile, persecuting his poorer disciples, mocking and insulting him. • The one consideration which prevented them from killing him was fear of the blood-vengeance of the clan to which his family belonged.

8. Persecution • The converts of the first four years were mostly humble folk unable to defend themselves against oppression. When they were persecuted the Prophet advised them to immigrate to a Christian country, Abyssinia . • The idol worship at the Ka`bah, as guardians of the Ka`bah, posted men on all the roads to warn the tribes against the “madman” who was preaching in their midst. • They tried to bring the Prophet to a compromise offering to accept his religion if he would so modify it as to make room for their gods as intercessors with Allah, offering to make him their king if he would give up attacking idolatry. • His uncle Abu Talib was offered young men in place of Muhammad, if only he would let them kill Muhammad. Abu Talib refused. • Even in his own clan there were those who rejected his teachings, and many merchants actively opposed the message.

9. A 16th century map of Abyssinia – modern day Ethiopia • Most of Arabia were converted to Islam by the time of Muhammad’s death in 632.

10. Hijrah • After Muhammad had preached publicly for more than a decade, the opposition to him reached a high pitch and his followers were harassed, abused, and even tortured. • At last, therefore, Muhammad sent seventy of his followers off to the northern town of Yathrib, which was later to be renamed. Medina. • Later, in the early fall of 622, he learned of a plot to murder him and, with his closest friend, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, set off to join the emigrants. This was the Hijrah - translated as "Flight" - from which the Muslim era is dated. • In fact, the Hijrah was not a flight but a carefully planned migration which marks not only a break in history - the beginning of the Islamic era- but also, for Muhammad and the Muslims, a new way of life. • Henceforth, the organizational principle of the community was not to be mere blood kinship, but the greater brotherhood of all Muslims. • The men who accompanied Muhammad on the Hijrah were called the Muhajirun - "those that made the Hijrah" or the "Emigrants" - while those in Medina who became Muslims were called the Ansar or "Helpers."

11. 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.

12. The Five tenants of Islam • 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.. • Confession of faith in one God and acknowledgment of Muhammad as a unique prophet.

13. Quran • Muhammad’s divine revelations continued till the end of his life. • These revelations together make up the text of the Quran – the holy scriptures of Islam. • Hadiths are regarded as a narration on the Sunnah (lived example) of Muhammad. 

14. 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.

15. Ritual Prayer • “Muslims perform prayer fives times a day. Each prayer does not take more than a few minutes to perform.” • Prayers are performed at: • Dawn- Fazal • Noon- Zohar • Mid-afternoon- Asar • Sunset - Magrib • Night – Eisha

16. Muslims in Prayer

17. The Five Pillars of Muslim Practice • Confession of Faith (Shahada) • Ritual Prayer (Salat) • Obligatory Alms (Zakat) • The Fast of Ramadan (Saum) • Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)

18. The Five Pillars of Muslim Practice • Confession of Faith (Shahada) • Ritual Prayer (Salat) • Obligatory Alms (Zakat) • The Fast of Ramadan (Saum) • Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)

19. Mecca

20. Expansion beyond Medina • Using medina as a base , all of Arabia brought under Muhammad’s control and Arabia got an identity of its own. • Mohammad was a religious leader, political ruler and military Commander. • Islam never distinguished between the religious and secular.

21. The Fast of Ramadan • Ramadan is the holiest period in the Islamic year. It commemorates the ninth lunar month in the year 610 CE when revelations began from God, via the angel Gabriel, to the Prophet Muhammad. These revelations in Arabic were memorized by Muhammad, passed on orally, and later written down as the Qur'an. • During this month, Muslims believe that the gates of Heaven are open, the gates of Hell are closed, and devils are chained up in Hell so they cannot tempt believers on Earth. Muslims believe that because this month has been blessed by Allah, any good actions during Ramadan will bring them a greater reward • “Every year in the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations.” • This is typically balanced by feasting during the dark hours of Ramadan.

22. SAWM OR SIYAM • Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are NOT required to complete the entire fast • They can break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year • They can also feed a needy person for every day missed.

23. Obligatory Alms • “Giving a specified percentage on certain properties to certain classes of needy people” • The percentage on money is 2.5% • People may also give as much or little as they wish in the form of voluntary alms or charity.

24. Eid-ul-Fitr, popularly known as the "Festival of the Breaking of the Fast", occurs as soon as the new moon is sighted at the end of the month of fasting, namely Ramadan.This festival celebrates the end of Ramzan, the Muslim month of fasting. It is an occasion of feasting and rejoicing.Fitr is derived from the word ‘fatar’ meaning breaking. Fitr has another meaning derived from another word fitrah meaning ‘alms’.Special foods and delicacies are prepared for the day and are distributed among neighbours and friends.

25. People visit each other's homes and take part in the festive meals with special dishes, beverages and desserts.The most common food item that is eaten during this time is vermicelli cooked in sweetened milk. Id Ka Chaand Celebrations

26. EID MUBARAK, Greeting cards

27. The Hajj

28. The Pilgrimage • “The annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah is an obligation once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. • “About two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe.”

29. HAJJ: PREPARATIONS • Before setting out, a pilgrim should redress all wrongs, pay all debts, plan to have enough funds for his/her own journey and for the maintenance of the family while he/she is away, and prepare him/herself for good conduct throughout the Hajj.

30. MINA: • On the first day of the Hajj, pilgrims sweep out of Mecca towards Mina, a small uninhabited village east of the city. • Pilgrims generally spend their time meditating and praying, as the Prophet did on his pilgrimage.

31. HAJJ: CLOTHING • When undertaking the pilgrimage, Muslims shed all signs of their wealth and societal distinctions by donning simple white garments, commonly called ihram. • The required pilgrimage dress for men is two white cloths, one of which covers the body from the waist down, and one that is gathered around the shoulder. • Women usually wear a simple white dress and headscarf, or their own native dress. The ihram is a symbol of purity and equality, and signifies that the pilgrim is in a state of devotion. • It shows that all are equal before God.

32. HAJJ: RITES • Ablutions (as before prayer times) • Abstention from any killing, sexual activity, cutting hair or nails

33. KA’ABA, DRAWING Each year an Arab nation provides the beautiful drapes which cover the Kab’ah for the Hajj.

34. REFLECTIONS AT KA’ABA • To touch and kiss the stone is to travel back in time and follow in the footsteps of all those pious and noble greats in history who have touched it. It is not easy to do that, though. It seems there are always too many people ahead who are trying to do the same. The closest we came to it was about ten feet and there we raised our hands in salutation and to say that 'God is great.” j

35. KA’ABA • Islam's holiest place was not built by its last Prophet Muhammad • tradition has it that the Ka'bah was originally built by Prophet Adam and was rebuilt by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his eldest son Prophet Isma'il (Ishmael), nearly four thousand five hundred years ago.

36. The well of Zamza • The Well of Zamza is located within the Masjid al Haram in Mecca, 20 meters east of the Kaaba. • According to legend ,Ishmael, around the year 2000 BC., was desperately seeking water for her infant son, but could find none, as Mecca is located in a hot dry valley. • Muslim traditions say that Hajar ran seven times back and forth in the scorching heat between the two hills of Safa and Marwah, looking for water. God then sent the angel Jibril (Gabriel) who dug a hole in the ground and caused the spring to appear. Hajar confined the pool of water with sand and stones

37. REFLECTIONS, ZAMZAM • “As we drink from Zamzam, we know it is the same well that sprang up in the middle of the desert so Hagar and Ishmael could drink from it.”

38. FESTIVAL OF SACRIFICE • Following the casting of the pebbles, most pilgrims sacrifice a goat, sheep or some other animal. They give the meat to the poor after, in some cases, keeping a small portion for themselves.

39. Symbol of Humility • Men either shave their heads or clip their hair, and women cut off a symbolic lock, to mark their partial deconsecration. This is done as a symbol of humility. All proscriptions, save the one of conjugal relations, are now lifted.

40. END OF HAJJ: • Eid Ul Adha marks the end of Hajj (the Muslims formal pilgrimage to Mecca). • During the end of the Hajj period, Muslims sacrifice either a goat or sheep which signifies the time when Prophet Abraham was about to sacrifice his own son to prove obedience to God, but God replaced his son with an animal. • A Muslim must perform the Hajj at least once in a life time.

41. 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.

42. Muslims in the WorldToday

43. The Spread of Islam • Easy to learn and practice. • No priesthood. • Teaches equality. • Non-Muslims, who were “Peoples of the Book,” were allowed religious freedom, but paid additional taxes. • Easily “portable”  nomads & trade routes. • Jihad (“Holy War”) against pagans and other non-believers (“infidels”).

44. Islam in India • Contrary to popular belief, Islam came to South Asia prior to Muslim invasions of India as early as 7th century with the advent of Arab traders. • Arab traders used to visit the Malabar region, which was a link between them and ports of South East Asia, to trade even before Islam had been established in Arabia. • According to Historians Elliot and Dowson in their book The History of India as told by its own Historians, the first ship bearing Muslim travelers was seen on the Indian coast as early as 630 AD. • H.G. Rawlinson, in his book: Ancient and Medieval History of India claims the first Arab Muslims settled on the Indian coast in the last part of the 7th century AD.

45. Arab invasion of Sindh • In the 8th century, the province of Sindh (in present day Pakistan) was conquered by an Arab army led by Muhammad bin Qasim. Sindh became the easternmost province of the Umayyad Caliphate.

46. MAHMUD OF GHAZNI 1001 – 1026 • 17 invasions • ‘The Idol Breaker’ • Afghanistan GHAZNI VICTORY TOWER, GHAZNI, AFGHANISTAN

47. ANANDPAL • 1008 CE • Peshawar • Runaway Elephant

48. The slave dynasty • Mohammad Ghori had left Qutab-ud-din Aibek who was a slave from Turkistan in charge of the Indian affairs. •  Iltutmish's daughter Razia Begum came to power 1236 AD after a brief power struggle and ruled till 240 AD when she was killed. • After the death of Nasir-ud-din Mahmud in 1226 AD the power was taken over by Balban who was an able administrator

49. End of the Delhi Sultanate • The slave dynasty was followed by the Khiljis, Tughlaqs, Saiyyids and Lodis. • Ibrahim Lodhi, the last of the Lodis was killed in a fierce fight. With this defeat the Delhi Sultanate was laid to rest. The History of India added a new outlook with the coming of Babur. This was the beginning of the Mughal dynasty in Indian History

50. Mughals, BABUR 1526-1530