Basic Facts of Islam

1. Basic Facts of Islam • Islam is the third in successionof the three great monotheisticfaiths born in the Middle East (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) • Islam is the second largest religion in world (1.2 billion adherents) • Islam is the fastestgrowing religion in the world

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. The Nature of The Quran The Quran is written in Arabic, which was the language of Muhammad. The Quran is considered to only be true when it is written in its original language. Translations are thought to lose the true meaning of the original words which are believed to be a direct revelation from God. The Muslim observance of Ramadan is to commemorate the recording of the holy text.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Ka’bah- cube shaped building that was built by Abraham to honour God Viewed as Adam’s original place of worship Was filled with idols as people in Arabia followed polytheism Muhammad- received revelations that led to Islam and monotheism (and removal of idols) Site of hajj- pilgrimage to Mecca Ka’bah