Islam

1. Islam

2. Words to Understand • Theocracy- a government where religion is the basis for all decisions made in the nation example: Iran • Fundamentalism- a religious movement that believes in basic truths of their religion and is intolerant of any other view.

3. A. Muhammad 1.Born in A.D. 570 in Mecca (present day Saudi Arabia) 2.Was a caravan trader 3.Age of 40 angel Jibreel (Gabriel) appeared to him and told him he was a prophet to Allah (God) 4.The merchant rulers of Mecca were against the teachings of the prophet, feeling that he was a threat to their authority.

4. 5. Every year Arab pilgrims came to worship the Kaaba (Ka’ba). The Kaaba contained idols that many worshiped. 6. The merchants believed that Muhammad’s teachings of monotheism might endanger their money making ability, fueled by the yearly pilgrimages so they threatened to murder him.

5. 7.In A.D. 622 Muhammad and followers hijrah (“flight” or “immigration”) toYathrib (present day Medina, Saudi Arabia) –means City of the Prophet. The year of the hijrah would be the beginning of the Muslim calendar. 8. Muhammad had thus won the day for his fledgling religion; Islam. His followers were Muslims . 9.Converted many polytheistic Bedouins to Islam by his death in A.D. 632

6. B. Faith of Islam • Monotheistic • Followers called Muslims • Asia & North Africa & Eastern Europe are the largest Muslim communities • Qur’an is the Islamic Holy Book as revealed to Muhammad • Islam is the second largest religion in the world behind Christianity, and just ahead of Hinduism. 6. Based around the 5 Pillars of Islam

7. Five Pillars of Islam a. The profession of faith. acknowledging that there is no god but God (Allah) and that Muhammad is the messenger of God. It implies belief in earlier messengers. b. The five daily prayers. This includes following a ritual of washing and prescribed movements and facing the direction of Mecca. c. Paying zakat. This is an annual tax used to help the poor and others in need. d. Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.(RAH·muh·dahn) Muslims eat and drink nothing from dawn to sunset. This reminds them of the importance of self-discipline,dependence on the Creator, and the feelings of the poor. e. Making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once, if possible. During the pilgrimage, which takes place during a certain time of the year, Muslims meet to pray and perform rituals to remind them of the faith of Abraham, and the unity and equality of Muslims all over the world.

8. 7.Muslims also have rules to live by a. Must live humble lives b. Be tolerant and generous c. No eating pork d. No drinking alcohol e. Must embrace jihad . It is their belief that anyone who dies in this struggle will be rewarded in heaven • After Muhammad’s death no successor named so religion split in to 2 sects due to disagreements over how the religion would now be led

9. 8. Three Branches of Islam (agree on 5 Pillars, Jihad, authority of Qur’ an) a. Sunni or “way to the Prophet” 1. 91% of Muslims 2. history since Muhammad is correct 3. internal struggle only physical struggle if attacked in jihad 4. believed that agreement among the Muslim people should settle religious matters.

10. b. Shia (Shi’ite) or “party of Ali” 1. 9% of Muslims 2. The son-in-law of Muhammad, Ali, believed that only his descendents should be caliph. People who agreed were Shia. They believed that Ali’s descendents, or imams, should decide religious matters 3. Believed there is no history since Muhammad 4. Physical struggle with unbelievers more than internal struggle 5 . More conservative and inclined to fundamentalism 6. Shi’ites always question the legitimacy of any earthly regime

11. c. Sufi 1. Later another group emerges. The Sufi tried to live simple lives centered around Allah. They turned away from worldly possessions. They said that faith in Allah was the mark of a person’s worth.

12. 9. Holy Cities of Islam a. Mecca – pray facing it, pilgrimage there; where Muhammad lived and had revelations b. Medina- Muhammad’s first converts c. Jerusalem- Rock where Abraham/Ishmael -- Muhammad ascended to heaven d. Najaf- trip spot for Shi’ites only – near spot of Martyrs e. Karbala- battle of Karbala [Husan vs Husayn] (Husan was martyred) Holy for Shi’ites only in 679 AD

13. 10. Islamic Calendar a. Lunar calendar (12 months) b. alternating 29 or 30 day months c. every 33 years holidays run through different seasons d. a calendar day extends from one sunset to the next (Thursday night is actually Friday) e. Ramadan falls at different times each year duethe Islamic calendar having a 30 year cycle of 19 - 354 day years and 11 - 355 day years .

14. How is the Abraham of Jews & Christians the same as the Abraham of the Muslims?

15. Story behind Abraham You do not have to copy: • Abraham is 99 years old and Sarah is 89 and have prayed for a child. Sarah gets impatient and gives her hand maiden to her husband so that they can have a child. The child is born to them named Ishmael. Sarah then becomes pregnant with Issac and Hagar and Ishmael are exiled. As God promised Abraham is the father of many nations.

16. Holy city of 3 faiths What are they? Why is it significant for those faiths? Jerusalem

17. Why Jerusalem is important!! • Because its believed to be where Muhammad ascended into Heaven • Site of Solomon's temple- in the promised land • Where Jesus lived, started his ministry, crucified and the Church began • (Know all for the test)