1. Islam

2. Origin of Islam
A man named Muhammad brought a new religion to Arabia. Much of what we know about him comes from religious writings.
Muhammad was born in the city of Mecca around 570. As a child, he traveled with his uncle’s caravans. As an adult, Muhammad managed a caravan business.
Muhammad was upset that rich people did not help the poor. He often went to a cave to meditate on this problem.

3. Islam
According to Islamic belief, when Muhammad was 40, an angel spoke to him.
Muhammad taught that there was only one God, Allah. The belief in one god was a new idea for many Arabs.
Before this time, Arabs prayed to many gods at shrines. The most important shrine was in Mecca. Many people traveled to Mecca every year on a pilgrimage. Muhammad also taught that the rich should give money to the poor. But rich merchants in Mecca rejected this idea. Slowly, Muhammad’s message began to influence people.
The rulers in Mecca felt threatened by him. Muhammad left and went to Medina. His house became the first mosque, or building for Muslim prayer. After years of conflict, the people of Mecca finally gave in and accepted Islam.

4. Geography and Timeline of Islam
Muhammad began to
preach in Mecca. He claimed
that an angel spoke to him
and made him a prophet.
He taught that there was only
one god and the Arabian people
should stop worshipping idols
and pagan gods and submit to
Allah (God).
Muhammad, left Mecca and took his message to Medina, where he converted many people. His followers were called Muslims.
This move to Medina is called
the hegira, or journey.

5. Timeline of Islam Creation
Muhammad continued to receive
messages from the angel and to
preach in Medina. His home
became the first mosque and the
messages were collected in the
Qur’an.
Between 622 AD, and the death
of Muhammad in 632 AD, the
Islamic religion had spread to
half of the Arabian Peninsula.
After Muhammad’s death, many
of his words and deeds were
recorded as a guide to the way
Muslims should live. This was
called the Sunnah.
632 AD

6. More Info on Islam…
The messages from Muhammad form the basis of a religion called Islam.
A follower of Islam is called a Muslim. The messages were written in the Qur´an (kuh-RAN), the holy book of Islam.

7. Basic Facts of Islam Basic Facts Tenets: Supreme Being: Allah
is monotheistic
belief in the Prophet Muhammad and one God called Allah
adheres to the Five Pillars of Islam; the Sunnah guides Muslims’ behavior
Supreme Being: Allah
Sacred Text: The Qur’an
1.5 billion adherents
Muslims do not believe in representing the Prophet or Allah in paintings, sculptures, drawings or any other form.

8. Basic Fact of Islam Basic Facts Place of Worship: Mosque Holy Land:
Mecca
Additional pilgrimage sites include the Al Quds mount in Jerusalem (The Dome of the Rock) and the city of Medina in Saudi Arabia

9. Basic Facts of Islam The Qur’an Final Word of God
Authoritative only in Arabic
Protected from change/corruption
Supercedes previous revelations (such as the Old and New Testaments)
Only text Muslims turn to today
114 chapters/varying lengths

10. Islam
Dome of the Rock
2nd holiest mosque in all of Islam. Located in Jerusalem.

11. Dome of the Rock and Western Wall
Islam
Dome of the Rock and Western Wall
These are prominent and sacred locations to two distinct faiths. They are established within meters of each other. What issues may arise, especially if Jews wish to rebuild the temple on this site?

12. 5 Pillars of Islam
Directions: As you watch this video, write down ONE facts that you learn about each of the 5 Pillars of Islam. After the clip is over, you will reflect on what you learned by explaining your feelings about each fact and making a connection to another religion that you are familiar with.

13. Five Pillars of Islam
Confession of Faith: “There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Prophet of God”
Ritual Prayer (5x/day)

14. Five Pillars of Islam
Almsgiving
(2.5% of wealth)
4. Fasting
5. Hajj

15. Hajj

16. The Hajj Shed evidence of wealth/poverty Dressed in white
Day One—travel from Mecca to Medina
Day Two—Day of Arafat (forgiveness and mercy)

17. Hajj
Day Three—
Throwing stones at pillars that represent seductions of Satan
Slaughter animal and give meat to poor.
Seven turns around the Ka’aba
Trek between to small hills to honor Hajar’s (Hagar) search for water

18. Islam
Throwing stones at pillars that represent seductions of Satan

19. Islam

20. Fasting During Ramadan
9th month on Islamic calendar (lunar calendar)
Fasting is from sun up to sun down
Intended to teach patience, modesty, and spirituality
Is ended with the Festival of Eid ul-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast)

21. Islamic Expansion
With your group open the envelope and make some PREDICTIONS by placing the event of Islamic Expansion in the order you think they should go.
Once you are done look at the Timeline and check your answers to make sure your events are in the correct order.
Discuss with your groups what you observed.

22. Islamic Expansion
Separate branches emerged over who should lead the faith after the Prophet’s death
Shi’ia (Shi’ite)—Muslim leadership should stay in Muhammad’s family
Today, this is 10% of Muslims
Sunni—most qualified should be selected to lead
Today, this 90% of Muslims

23. Spread of Islam
Theme: Location

24. Spread of Islam Battle of Tours 732 AD 661 AD
Muslim Empire had spread across all of North Africa and into Spain in the west. Further Muslim conquest was stopped at the Battle of Tours, in western France.
To the east, the Muslim Empire spread across the Indus River
and into western India.
Between 632 AD, and 661 AD, the Islamic religion had spread to Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia, Iran, west to
Tripoli (Libya), north to the Taurus and Caucasus Mts
(Turkey and Georgia) and east to Pakistan.
After Muhammad’s death, his successors were called caliphs. There was disagreement over who should lead. This caused a split between the Sunni and Shiites that continues to the present day.
732 AD
661 AD

25. Islam Expansion
Expansion Through Trade: Arab merchants took Islamic beliefs and practices with them to new lands. Coastal trading cities developed into large Muslim communities. Muslims generally practiced tolerance, or acceptance. They did not ban all other religions in their lands. More people began speaking Arabic and practicing Islam. The Arabs also took on non- Muslim customs. Cultural blending changed Islam into a religion of many cultures. The development of Muslim cities like Baghdad and Córdoba reflected this blending of cultures.

26. Islam Expansion
Expansion Through Conquer: After Muhammad’s death Abu Bakr (UH-boo BAK-uhr) was the leader of Islam. He was the first caliph (KAY-luhf). This title was used for the highest Islamic leader. Abu Bakr unified Arabia. The Arab army conquered the Persian and Byzantine empires.
Later caliphs conquered lands in Central Asia, northern India, and North Africa. They controlled eastern Mediterranean trade routes. After many years of fighting, the Berbers of North Africa converted to Islam. A combined Arab and Berber army conquered Spain and ruled for 700 years.

27. Islam
Muslims
Defeated the Persian and Byzantine Empires but allowed Jews and Christians to practice their religion.
Grew into three separate empires: Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal.

28. Islamic Empires Ottoman Empire
In the 1200s, Muslim Turks known as Ottomans attacked the Byzantine Empire. They trained janissaries, boys from conquered towns who were enslaved and converted to Islam. In 1453 the Ottomans took Constantinople and renamed it Istanbul. This ended the Byzantine Empire. By 1566 the Ottomans took control of the eastern Mediterranean and part of Europe.
Central Asia /
Europe
North
Africa

29. Islamic Empires Safavid Empire
The Safavids (sah-FAH-vuhds) gained power in the east. They soon came into conflict with the Ottomans. The conflict stemmed from an old disagreement about who should be caliph. In the mid- 600s, Islam had split into two groups—the Sunni and the Shia. The Ottomans were Sunni, and the Safavids were Shia. The Safavid Empire conquered Persia in 1501 and soon grew wealthy, building glorious mosques in Esfahan, their capital.
Iran

30. Islamic Empires Mughal Empire
East of the Safavid Empire, in India, lay the Mughal (MOO-guhl) Empire. The Mughals united many diverse peoples and were known for their architecture—particularly the Taj Mahal. Under the leader Akbar, the Mughal Empire was known for its religious tolerance. But more restrictive policies after his death led to the end of the empire. Mughal Empire represents present-day Pakistan.
India/ Pakistan

31. Islam Today
Muslim Populations