1. Islam

2. Important Terms
Hagar and Ishmael – Abraham’s second family, ancestors of Islam
Mecca – Islam’s holiest city
Kaaba – large cube-shaped structure in the heart of Mecca
Muhammad – messenger of God
Hegira – Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Medina
Q’uran – Islamic holy book

3. The Origins of Islam
Abraham (same person found in the Torah and the Bible) had a wife named Sarah, who could not have children
Abraham took a second wife named Hagar, and they had a son, Ishmael
Sarah then became pregnant and had a son, Isaac
Sarah was very jealous of Hagar and Ishmael and ordered Abraham to cast them away
Abraham took them into the desert to keep them safe from Sarah

4. Hagar and Ishmael in the Desert
While in the desert, Hagar and Ishmael could not find water
One day Hagar fell to the ground and called out to God, and a spring appeared in front of her
Abraham came back to the desert and found the miracle spring
He built a large cube (the Kaaba) over it to honor God
The spring continued to flow and people traveled from all over the world to drink from it
The city of Mecca formed around the Kaaba and the spring

6. Muhammad His parents died when he was young, so an uncle raised him
Muhammad became a really successful merchant and married a woman named Khadijah
They had six children, but five died while they were young
He was deeply religious and would frequently live in a cave to meditate and pray

7. Muhammad and the Cave
During one of his retreats to the cave he was visited by the angel Gabriel
Gabriel commanded him speak, and when he did he spoke revelations from God
Muhammad had many encounters with Gabriel after that and learned God had chosen him to be his prophet

8. Spreading the Message
When Muhammad began telling others about the messages he received from God, he quickly gained followers in Mecca
Some powerful people in Mecca didn’t accept his teachings and forced Muhammad to leave
Muhammad made the journey from Mecca to Medina (a nearby city), where people were more receptive to his message
This journey was known as the Hegira, or Withdrawal
Muhammad spent the last ten years of his life spreading his faith – Islam became the fastest growing world religion over the next few centuries

9. Basic Beliefs
Muhammad’s revelations and teachings are collected in the Q’uran
The Five pillars of Islam
Profession of faith - “There is no god but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the messenger of God
Pray five times a day facing Mecca
Giving charity to the needy
Fast during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month
The Hajj - make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once

10. Codes of Conduct Muslims may not eat pork or drink alcohol
They must wash before praying to be pure before God
The Sharia – a legal code outlining how Muslims should live
Murder, lying, and stealing are forbidden
The Jihad – a “holy struggle”
The struggle to improve oneself or society against Satan’s influence, personal aspects, or a visible threat to the Muslim community
People interpret Jihad in many ways and it is one of the most controversial aspects to Islam

11. People of the Book
Muslims believe that Allah is the same God described in the Torah and the Bible and that both of these books came from God as well
The Q’uran has more authority than the Torah or the Bible because it represents God’s final message to humanity
Muslims believe Muhammad is the last and greatest prophet in a long line of prophets including Abraham, Noah, Moses, and Jesus
Muslims are told to respect all “people of the book” because they are all from the same tradition of prophets