Islam Unit 2, SSWH 5 a & c
Origins of Islam Muhammad (founder), Allah sent him an angel, Gabriel – Muhammad was told he is a messenger. Islam: “submission to the will of Allah” in Arabic Muslim: “one who has submitted” Muhammad: considered the last & greatest prophet
Beliefs 5 Pillars: Faith, Prayer, Alms, Fasting, & Pilgrimage People are responsible for their own actions Qur’an or Koran: Muslim holy book People follow the Sunna (Muhammad’s example) & Shar’ia (law)
Religion Divides Muhammad died in 632 A.D. & didn’t tell how to choose a successor (caliph) Muslims split over the next caliph: Sunni and Shi’a “Rightly Guided Caliphs” 4 were chosen after Muhammad’s death: loyal friends of Muhammad
Sunni Believed 1st four caliphs were correct Believed Muslim rulers should follow the Sunna, Muhammad’s example Claimed Shi’a distorted the meaning of the Qur’an
Shi’a Believed Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law, should have succeed Muhammad Believed Muslim rulers should descend from Muhammad Didn’t recognize the authority of the Sunna Claimed Sunni distorted the meaning of the Qur’an