Mohammad: The Founder of Islam

Which Symbol Represents Islam? Crescent moon and Star “Star of David” Judaism Holy Cross Christianity

Mohammad Terms to Know Muslim – Believer in Islam Arab = Person who lives in or around Arabia Prophet = Someone who speaks the spiritual voice of God Scripture = written words of God Qur’an (Koran) = Holy book of Islam Sunna = Rules for Muslims to live by based on how Mohammad lived his own life. Allah = What Muslims call God

What was life in the Middle East like before Mohammad? Most people were Bedouins (Arabians who believed in many Gods and had their own religions) Nothing united them together. The center of trade = Mecca. Why is his picture not shown?

Mecca Today

Question: Who was Mohammad? Born around 571 AD. Businessman in early life By age 40, Mohammad felt he had a higher calling, but didn’t know what. He began to meditate in caves trying to find the answer.

Question: How did Mohammad become a prophet? One day, Mohammad was meditating in a cave when he saw the Angel Gabriel. The Angel Gabriel told him that his new mission in life was to teach the Scripture. Mohammad had more encounters with Gabriel and was given more scripture.

Question: _________________? After Mohammad’s death in 632, his friends continued to write Mohammad’s revelations from the Angel Gabriel. These writings became known as the Qur’an.

The Spread of Islam

Five Pillars of Islam

Question: What are the 5 Pillars of Islam? The main guiding rules for Islam. Pillar #1 – Faith (“Shahada.”) Professing faith to Allah. Muslims chant, “There is no God but Allah, and Mohammad is the prophet.” Allah in Arabic

Pillar #2 – Prayer (“Salat. ”) Muslims pray five times a day Pillar #2 – Prayer (“Salat.”) Muslims pray five times a day. Wherever they are, they have to face the direction Mecca is in.

Pillar #3 – Charity (“Zakat. ”) Pay 2 Pillar #3 – Charity (“Zakat.”) Pay 2.5% of your income to charities/poor.

This picture is wrong, no water either. Pillar #4 – Fasting (“Sawm.”) No eating until sunset during holy month of Ramadan.

Pillar #5 – Pilgrimage (“Hajj. ”) Journey to Mecca Pillar #5 – Pilgrimage (“Hajj.”) Journey to Mecca. All Muslims must pay a visit to Mecca at least once in their lives.