Islam Mr. Davis Spring 2013

Muhammad Born into an important family in Mecca in 570 C.E. Managed a caravan business At age 25, Married Khadijah.

Becoming a Prophet When Muhammad was 40, he went to meditate in a cave. An angel spoke to him. Muslims believe that God spoke to Muhammad through the angel.

Being Muslim The messages Muhammad received is the basis of Islam. In Arabic, Islam means “to submit to God.” Followers of Islam are called Muslim.

Muhammad’s Teachings Follower’s memorized his messages After his death they collected them and wrote them down to form a book called The Qur’an. The Qur’an also gives guidelines for worship is in Mosque, moral behavior, and social life.

Five Pillars of Islam 1. Shahadah: There is no god, but God, and Muhammad is his prophet. 2. Salah: Pray five times a day. 3. Zakat: Give to the poor. 4. Saum: Fasting. 5. Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca

Islamic Law Sunnah: examples of Muhammad’s actions and teachings, basic rules about how to treat others. The Qur’an and Sunnah form the basis for the Islamic law, called Shariah. Islamic law is not found in one book. Instead, it is a set of opinions and writings.

Sunni vs. Shia Caliph: a title that Muslims use for the highest leader of Islam. In Arabic, it means successor. Shia: Muslims who thought that only Muhammad’s descendents could be caliphs. Sunni: Muslims who thought a caliph did not have to be a descendent of Muhammad.

Ramadan Ninth month of the Islamic calendar A time of worship and contemplation. Every Muslim is expected to fast from sunrise to sunset. They get up before dawn and have a light meal. Ramadan concludes with Eid-ul-Fitr. It’s the breaking of fasting at the end of Ramadan. It lasts three days.

Dhu Al-Hijja The month of pilgrimage during which all Muslims, at least once in their life, should try to make to Mecca.