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“Allah” in Arabic. Islam. “Muhammad” in Arabic. Muhammad, the Prophet. 570 AD - born in Arab peninsula Family of merchants from Mecca (town) Religious practice was all over the place (pagan, christian , etc ) Ka’aba – formerly dedicated by Abraham to Yahweh; temple later served pagan gods
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“Allah” in Arabic Islam “Muhammad” in Arabic
Muhammad, the Prophet • 570 AD - born in Arab peninsula • Family of merchants from Mecca (town) • Religious practice was all over the place (pagan, christian, etc) • Ka’aba– formerly dedicated by Abraham to Yahweh; temple later served pagan gods • Place of annual pilgrimage, for Arabs
Muhammad, the Prophet • Muhammad was a reflective man, would spend time alone in Cave Hira • 610 AD – Muhammad received revelation from Archangel Gabriel • Ramadan • Revelation of Qu’ran to Muhammad • Message: people had lost true way to worship God (Allah); revelations were the way he wanted to be worshipped Cave Hira – location of revelations
Muhammad, the Prophet • Revelations occurred for 6 months • Family, followers adopted new ways • Muhammad spent next ten years teaching new ideas • 620 AD – M. ejected from Mecca; went to Medina & spent next 8 years in war vs. Mecca • 632 AD – died, ascended to Heaven Coverage of Islam, 632 AD
Spread of Islam, 632-750 AD • By 642, Muslim Arabs had conquered from Egypt to Persia • By 656, from Tripoli to Pakistan • In 661, 4th Caliph, Ali, died – split in Sunni, Shia • By 711, Arabs invaded Spain, India • In 732, defeat of Arabs at Tours
Beliefs: Five Pillars of Islam • Shahada • Declaration of Faith • “There is no God but Allah & Muhammad is his Prophet” • Salat • Mandatory prayer 5 times a day, towards Mecca (connect to God) • Zakat • 2.5% tithe to charity • Sawm • Fasting during Ramadan (purify) • Hajj • Once in life = pilgrimage to Mecca Muslims performing the Salat The hajj
Inherent Appeal of Islam • Simplicity of belief: follow 5 pillars = salvation • Equality for believers • All promised salvation • All equal, whether earliest member or latest conquest • High moral teachings • Strict moral code; very little gray • Respect for “People of the Book” • Christians, Jews not forced to convert • BUT special tax on Christians & Jews who didn’t convert (dhimmi); wear special clothing, acknowledge Muslim superiority, severe legal restrictions (2nd class citizens) • Forced conversion of pagans (non Abrahamic people) – convert or die
Sources of Islamic Teaching • Qu’ran(revelations of God made to Muhammad) • Taught by oral repetition • Learn in Arabic (truest translation of revelations) • “Perfection” of monotheistic teachings about God • Hadith (traditions relating to life, deeds of Muhammad) • Important tools for determining how Muslims should live (WWMD?) • First written down in 7th C. • Sharia (Islamic law) • Regulations of public, private life • Traditional way of living
Islam Today • Second largest religion in the world • 1.3 billion Muslims (20% world’s population) • Fastest growing religion in the world • 43 countries with Muslim majority populations (SE Asia; S. Asia; Middle East; N. Africa; Eastern Europe)