1. ISLAM

2.  Muhammad  Born in Mecca-market town near  Shepard, at 25 he married Khadijah (wealthy caravan business owner)  At 40, while meditating he heard the voice of Gabriel, an angel  He was being called to be the messenger of God  Islam- Arabic for “to submit to God”  Monotheistic- One true God, Allah

3.  Muhammad was threatened with murder so he left Mecca and went to Medina.  Arabs in Medina converted to Islam, called Muslims, followers of Islam. There were then many battles between the Muslims and Meccans  Muhammad returned to Mecca and destroyed all Arab idols in the Kaaba, temple that he believed Abraham built to worship the one true God.  Kaaba is the holiest place in Islam

4. TEACHINGS OF ISLAM  Monotheistic-belief in one God  Prophets-Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed was the last and greatest  Quran-sacred text  Arabic-shared language unites Muslims around the world  Teaches God’s will and is a guide to life  Emphasize honesty, generosity, and social justice  Harsh penalties for stealing or murder  Judgment Day: Eternal punishment in hell or eternal bliss in paradise

5. THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM  Declaration of faith  “There is no god but God, Muhammad is the messenger of God”  Pray five times a day  Ritual washing, face toward the city of Mecca  Pray a home or in mosque, house of worship  Give to charity or to the poor  Fast during Ramadan  Sunrise to sunset during the month when Muhammad received his revelations  Hajj  Pilgrimage to Mecca if a person is physically and financially able

6.  Jihad  Struggle in God’s service  Personal duty for Muslims  Holy war to defend Islam and the Muslim community  “People of the Book”  Jews and Christians- All three worship the same God  Sharia  Body of law that includes interpretation of the Quran  Moral conduct, family life, business practices, government, and other parts of individual and community life  Women  Arab women could not inherit property, had to obey male guardians, some unwanted daughters were killed at birth  Muslim women  Quran prohibited killing of daughters, granted women inheritance, they were able to reject a marriage offer  Women should dress modestly  Not completely equal to men  Less inheritance, harder to get a divorce