ISLAM By Alia Ahmadi, Ashley Selsor, Melanie Duckworth, and Teddy Monteith

HEARTH AND FOUNDER Islam prevalence began in the early seventh century. Its hearth can be found in the city of Mecca, which still exists today in modern day Saudi Arabia. One of Islam’s principle beliefs is that it has existed forever and will exist eternally. Due to this belief, Islam has no official founder, but was popularized by its central prophet, Muhammad. In Islamic legend, Muhammad was pondering in silent meditation when he was visited by the angel Gabriel, who told him that it was his duty to spread the words of Allah, the Islamic god.

SIX MAJOR BELIEFS Muslims, followers of Islam, have six basic beliefs: 1. The belief that Allah is the one and only God 2. The belief that angels exist 3. Belief that the Qur’an is the word of Allah 4. The belief in the words of their prophets 5. The belief in a Day of Judgment 6. The belief in Predestination

ALLAH Allah is the name that Muslims give to their God. Much like the Christian God, Allah is eternal. He will never fade and has no creator. He is all knowing, and can do anything that can be done. He is transcendent and has no form, but watches over his people as a judge.

RITUALS Many Islamic rituals are not unique to Islam, but rather have diffused to or been drawn from the practices of Christianity, Hinduism, and Judaism. Many of its rituals center on the appreciation and preservation of life. Birth rituals focused on the purification of the child. The first words that the child hears are the adhaan, or the Muslim call to prayer. These words are whispered into the baby’s right ear by its father. Its first tastes must be something sweet. On its 7 th day of life, it is given its name, its head is shaved, and boys are circumcised. When it comes to marriage, traditions vary as they are mixed with modern culture. No matter the place, it is the religious ceremony, not the legal confirmation, that counts as marriage. Marriage is not a “sacrament”, but a social contract. They are often arranged, and the bride does not have to be present at the ceremony.

ADHAN- CALL TO PRAY

HOLY DAYS Milad un Nabi- the celebration of the birthday of Muhammad, families tell stories to their children and donate to charities. Eid ul Adha- a four day festival. Domesticated animals are sacrificed and the meat is given to family, friends, and the poor Ramadan- This is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims fast during daylight hours for a full thirty days. Eid ul Fitr- This is the end of Ramadan. It is a day of forgiveness. Special services are held in mosques, presents are given, and Muslims eat their first daytime meal in a month.

PILLARS OF FAITH 1. Shahadah: The basic statement of Islam- “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.” 2. Salat: Muslims prayer five times a days- once before dawn, once after the sun passes its highest point, once in late afternoon, just after sunset, and lastly between sunset and midnight. 3. Zakat: Muslims must give tithe, or give money to charity throughout their lives. 4. Sawm: Muslims must fast on certain holy days. 5. Hajj: At some point in their lives, if they are capable, a Muslim must make a pilgrimage to Mecca, the Islamic holy city. This pilgrimage is called a Hajj, and must be made at least once in a Muslim’s life.

DIFFUSION OF ISLAM By the seventh century, followers of Islam had spread out from Mecca and Arabia into Damascus, Cairo, Alexandria, and Isfahan. Around the year 711 AD, a group of Muslims invaded Spain via the Strait of Gibraltar. They then entered into India. Between the many lands that they controlled and the regions with whom they traded, Muslims were in contact with almost all of the known world. Their geographic location, being situated between eastern Europe and the central plains of Asia, allowed for the spread of knowledge and the diffusion of their religion.

ETHNIC OR UNIVERSAL? Islam is a universal religion. It was spread as its followers traded with others of different faiths who then converted and spread it to their homelands. It spread through relocation diffusion as its people were forced to leave their homeland and move to other areas. It spread hierarchically as wealthy citizens adopted it. It spread via conquest as its followers moved across the continent with their armies. It is the second largest religion in the world and has over one billion followers.

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