Monotheism

1. Monotheism Break it down: What does it mean? Examples: The big three Opposite Opposite examples

2. Major Religions of the World Christianity: 2.1 billion Islam: 1.3 billion Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist: 1.1 billion Hinduism: 900 million Chinese traditional religion: 394 million Buddhism: 376 million primal-indigenous: 300 million African Traditional & Diasporic: 100 million Sikhism: 23 million Juche: 19 million Spiritism: 15 million Judaism: 14 million Baha'i: 7 million Jainism: 4.2 million Shinto: 4 million Cao Dai: 4 million Zoroastrianism: 2.6 million Tenrikyo: 2 million Neo-Paganism: 1 million Unitarian-Universalism: 800 thousand Rastafarianism: 600 thousand Scientology: 500 thousand

3. Muhammad was born in Mekkah (Mecca) in 570 C.E He became a shepherd, married and practiced the religion of his time period He became a prophet when he was 40 years old. (about 610 C.E) Origins of Islam

4. Origins of Islam • The prophet Muhammad (circa 570-632 C.E.) introduced Islam in 610 A.D. • Muhammad dictated The Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, which Muslims believe to be the preexistent, perfect words of Allah. • The Qur'an testifies of itself that it was given by God through the angel Gabriel to the prophet Muhammad as he meditated in Mecca

5. After this visitation from the Angel Gabriel he set out as prophet to convert the people. In 622 C.E, he moved to Medina due to persecution. Origins of Islam

6. Through religious discussion, persuasion, military activity and political negotiation, Muhammad   became the most powerful leader in Arabia, and Islam was firmly established throughout the area. By 750 CE, Islam had invaded China, India, along the Southern shore of the Mediterranean and into Spain. By 1550 they had besieged Vienna. Wars resulted, expelling Muslims from Spain and Europe. Since their trading routes were mostly over land, they did not an develop extensive sea trade (as for example the English and Spaniards). Origins of Islam

7. Islamic World 750

9. Islam: Beliefs

10. The Five Pillars The Five Pillars of Islam are the five obligations that every Muslim must satisfy in order to live a good and responsible life according to Islam. The Five Pillars consist of: ShahadahSalat ZakatSawm Hajj Why are they important? Carrying out these obligations provides the framework of a Muslim's life, and weaves their everyday activities and their beliefs into a single cloth of religious devotion. Carrying out the Five Pillars demonstrates that the Muslim is putting their faith first, and not just trying to fit it in around their secular lives.

11. Pillar I - Shahada What is it? A declaration of faith This is the basic statement of the Islamic faith: anyone who cannot recite this wholeheartedly is not a Muslim. When a Muslim recites this they proclaim: That Allah is the only God, and that Muhammad is his prophet That they personally accept this as true That they will obey all the commitments of Islam in their life The Shahada is written in Arabic on Saudi Arabia's flag  What it says: "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger."

12. Pillar II - Salat • What is it? Daily, ritual prayers • There are set positions and movements for prayer  • performed five times each day by every good Muslim. • Salat al-fajr: dawn, before sunrise • Salat al-zuhr: midday, after the sun passes its highest • Salat al-'asr: the late part of the afternoon • Salat al-maghrib: just after sunset • Salat al-'isha: between sunset and midnight • Prayers may take place anywhere; many Muslims worship at a mosque on Fridays The prayer ritual, which is over 1400 years old, is repeated five times a day by hundreds of millions of people all round the world.

13. Muslims don't pray for God's benefit Muslims do not pray for the benefit of Allah. Allah does not need human prayers because he has no needs at all. Muslims pray because God has told them that they are to do this, and because they believe that they obtain great benefit in doing so. Muslims pray direct to God A Muslim prays as if standing in the presence of Allah. In the ritual prayers each individual Muslim is in direct contact with Allah. There is no need of a priest as an intermediary.

14. A translation of the Call to Prayer is: God is most great. God is most great.God is most great. God is most great.I testify that there is no god except God.I testify that there is no god except God.I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.Come to prayer! Come to prayer!Come to success (in this life and the Hereafter)!Come to success!God is most great. God is most great.There is no god except God.

15. Pillar III - Zakat • What is it? The giving of a set proportion of one's wealth to charity. It is regarded as a type of worship and of self-purification. • Some of the benefits of Zakat: • helping the poor • Obeying God • Helping a person acknowledge that everything comes from God on loan and that we do not really own anything ourselves • Acknowledging that whether we are rich or poor is God's choice • Learning self-discipline • Freeing oneself from the love of money

16. Pillar IV - Sawm • What is it? Fasting during the month of Ramadan • The benefits of Ramadan Fasting: • Obeying God • Learning self-discipline • Appreciating God's gifts to us • Sharing the sufferings of the • poor and developing • sympathy for them • Giving thanks for the Holy • Qur'an, which was first • revealed in the month of • Ramadan • Sharing fellowship with other • Muslims

17. Pillar V - Hajj • What is it? Pilgrimage to Mecca • Muslims are required to make the journey at least once in their life (if able) • Three-day event, takes place in the 12th month • of the Islamic year • Why do they perform this: • Visit the holy sites • To see the Kaaba, first place of worship or earth • Celebrate God’s unity – Muslims from all over • the world gather together