1. Teachings of Islam

2. The Prophet Muhammad Muhammad was born in Mecca in about 570
When he was 40 years old he received a message from the angel Gabriel that he was to be a prophet of God
Muhammad: Birth of Islam

3. The Hejira
The migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina became known as hejira.
It was a turning point in Islam
It marked the beginning of the expansion of Islam
The year of hejira was chosen as the first year in the Muslim calendar
By Muhammad’s death in 632 he had carried Islam across the Arabian Peninsula and controlled most of the region.

4. Teachings of Islam
The basic message of Islam is summed up in the following expression
“No god but Allah: Muhammad is the prophet of Allah.”’
The word Islam means “submission.”
A Muslim is someone who submits to God

5. The Koran The Koran is the sacred book of Islam
Muslims believe it contains the exact word of God as revealed to Muhammad
It is the authority on all subjects, including religion, politics, law, economic and social life
Koran Video

6. Five Pillars
In submitting to God, Muslims accept five duties, known as the Five Pillars
First Pillar
Muslims proclaim the belief in one God
They accept that God revealed his message to Muhammad
Muhammad is the most important prophet, but they do not worship him as a God

7. Five Pillars Second Pillar Third Pillar Fourth Pillar Fifth Pillar
Five times a day, Muslims face the holy city of Mecca and pray
Third Pillar
Charity to the poor and the aged
Fourth Pillar
Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar
Muslims cannot drink or eat from dawn to sunset
Fifth Pillar
Pilgrimage to Mecca, known as hajj
Five Pillars Video

8. Similarities with Judaism and Christianity
Muslims believe that Allah is the same God of the Christians and Jews
Muslims also believe in a final day of judgment for sinners and the faithful
Muhammad called the Jews and Christians “people of the book,” because they followed God’s teachings in the Bible
They had special status as protected people and were to be treated with tolerance