Fast Facts 2 nd largest religion in the world 1 billion followers Monotheistic Founded by a man named Muhammad in 7 th century Saudi Arabia Main location Middle East and North Africa

Life of Muhammad Born in Mecca; grew up to become caravan manager and marry rich widow named Khadija Was troubled by growing gap between rich and poor – went to hills to meditate Muslims believe that Muhammad received revelations from God (Allah) – messages given by angel Gabriel Came to believe that Allah had already revealed himself in part through Moses and Jesus Final revelations of Allah were being given to Muhammad

Out of these revelations came the Quran (holy book of Islam) Contains the ethical guidelines and laws by which the followers of Allah are to live Muslims – those who practice Islam Islam has only one God, Allah, and Muhammad is God’s prophet Muhammad returned home and reflected on his experience Khadija became 1 st convert to Islam Muhammad set out to convince the people of Mecca of the truth of revelations

In 622 AD, Muhammad fled north to the city of Medina to escape growing persecution This event is celebrated by Muslims as the hijira ("flight") and marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar (622 AD = 1 AH) Eight years later, Muhammad returned to Mecca with an army and defeated it easily By Muhammad's death, 50 years later, the entire Arabian Peninsula had come under Muslim control The word "Islam" means "submission," reflecting the religion's central tenet of submitting to the will of God

Sects Death of Muhammad left problems Questions as to who would be Muhammad’s successor Sunni 940 million followers Sunnis have their historical roots in the majority group who followed Abu Bakr, an effective leader, as Muhammad's successor instead of the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law Ali Shiite 120 million followers Shi'ites are those who followed Ali, the closest relative of Muhammad, as Muhammad's successor

Central Practices Following the Five Pillars of Islam Belief There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger Prayer Performing the prescribed prayers 5 times per day toward Mecca Charity Giving alms to the poor Fasting Refraining from food and drink from dawn until dusk through the month of Ramadan Pilgrimage Making a pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime

Quran Sacred text of Islam Muslims believe it contains the literal word of God as gradually revealed to Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel over the course of 20 years Also important is the tradition of the sayings and actions of the Prophet and his Companions, collected in the hadith

Islam and the West Islam and the West have had a rocky relationship for centuries, and in recent years the tension has only seemed to escalate. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine is religiously charged, Western involvement in Middle Eastern affairs is resented, and various hijackers, suicide bombers and terrorists base their actions on their Muslim faith. Many Muslims, however, have denounced this radical minority as violating both true Islam and the true meaning of jihad, and Islam continues to be the fastest-growing religion in the world.

Islamic Places Mecca, Saudi Arabia Most sacred place in Islam Kaaba is a mosque (built by Abraham according to Muslim tradition) built around a black stone The Kaaba is believed to be the first place that was created on earth and the place at which heavenly bliss and power touches the earth directly Medina, Saudi Arabia “city of the prophet” It was to Medina city that Muhammad fled when he was initially driven out of Mecca, and the place where he attracted his first followers Jerusalem Jerusalem is revered because, in Muslim tradition, Muhammad miraculously traveled to Jerusalem by night and ascended from there into heaven The most notable Muslim site in Jerusalem is the Dome of the Rock is built over a sacred stone This stone is holy to Jews as well, who believe it to be the site at which Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac

AfterLife Resurrection of body and soul followed by eternal paradise or hell On the Last Day, resurrected humans will be judged by Allah according to their deeds One's eternal destination depends on balance of good to bad deeds in life They are either granted admission to Paradise, where they will enjoy spiritual and physical pleasures forever, or condemned to Hell to suffer spiritual and physical torment for eternity The day of judgment is described as passing over Hell on a narrow bridge in order to enter Paradise. Those who fall, weighted by their bad deeds, will remain in Hell forever

Exceptions Warriors who die fighting in the cause of God are ushered immediately to God's presence “Enemies of Islam" are sentenced immediately to Hell upon death