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Islam. Means submission to Allah Started in Saudi Arabia Definition: the monotheistic religion of the Muslims. Islam. Means: “peace through submission to the will of Allah ” Those who follow Islam are called Muslim – “one who submits”. People of the Arabian Peninsula.
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Islam Means submission to Allah Started in Saudi Arabia Definition: the monotheistic religion of the Muslims
Islam • Means: “peace through submission to the will of Allah” • Those who follow Islam are called Muslim – “one who submits”
People of the Arabian Peninsula • Nomads: no settled home • Knowledge of desert, good guides for traders • Mecca: Important trading center • Goods traded: perfume, spices, incense, cloth, elephant tusks and gold
Muhammad the Prophet • Allah spoke to him through an angel and Mohamed experienced a revelation. • Muhammed recited “inspired” words • Recognized Moses and Jesus as prophets • Muhammad is from Mecca. Traveled to Medina to speak of his message.
More on Muhammad • Followers to Medina: called hijra. The year is 622. This is the first year on the Muslim calendar. • Although Muhammad is the leader, he is NOT divine • Images of Muhammad are forbidden
The Quran • Final revelations of Allah given to Muhammad • Muhammad’s revelations make up the Quran • contains ethical guidelines
Teachings of the Quran • Only one God, Allah, and Muhammad was his prophet • Allah is omnipotent • Those who followed Allah’s commands would be rewarded, those who did not punished
The Kaaba • Abraham and Ishmael built Kaaba (house of worship) • cornerstone sacred- Black Stone • supreme god Allah along with the tribal gods
View on Christianity • View Christians and Jews as people of the book • Recognize prophets. See Jesus as prophet. Muhammad was last prophet
Important Facts • Monotheistic • Don’t see Jesus as Savior, but as a prophet • Holy Book- Quran
The five pillars of Islam • Follow the Five Pillars to Islam and you will go to heaven • Proclamation of Faith, Prayer, Fasting, Pilgrimage, Alms
1. Proclamation of Faith • Must affirm faith in 1 god- Allah and Muhammad is his last prophet • last in long line of human prophets • not a new religion but revival of true word that God revealed to Abraham and others
2. Prayer • Pray 5 times a day at intervals from dawn to sunset • face Kaaba and bow in submission • Friday is day of communal worship • Gather at noon in mosques
3. Fasting • Fast from dawn to dusk during month of Ramadan • This is month that Muhammad received revelation • time of atonement and reminder
4. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) • Make pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime • Reminder to Muslims of their shared faith • keep pilgrimage route safe
5. Alms • Annual wealth tax that Muslims must pay • developed in practice to 2.5% of wealth and assets
Divisions based on succession Muhammad never named a successor There is a division of Muslims based on who should be Muhammad’s successor
Sunni Muslims • Sunni: accept the best person • caliphs are mortals with no divine powers • No man should interpret God’s message • Most Muslims: 85%
Shia Muslims • Only accept descendents of Muhammad as true rulers of Islam • Divine inspiration passed down from caliph to caliph • Explain messages from God
Most Muslims in the Middle East are Sunni, Majority in Iran /Iraq are Shia • Spread of Islam beyond Middle East to Africa, Asia, Europe and US