Muslim Civilization Chapter 9

The Birth of Islam What is Islam? One of the major religions of the world Where? Founded in Arabia Has spread to all parts of the world, but most Muslims are found in the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia

Where is Islam practiced?

Islam

Major Beliefs of Islam Islam is Arabic for “submission to Allah” Allah is the Arabic word for God Founded by Muhammad in 610 Followers of the faith are called Muslims

Muhammad Muhammad lived in Mecca An angel, Gibreel (Gabriel) gave Muhammad messages from Allah These messages became the Qur’an, Islam’s holy book

Islam Grows Muhammad shared the revelations with his wife and family Not everyone accepted Muhammad’s teachings –Muhammad and his family were forced to flee their home in Mecca –This event is called the Hejira, or the Flight –They went to Medina

Basic Ideas of Islam The Qur’an is Islam’s most sacred text To God belongs the East and the West, Wheresoever you look is the face of God. Qur'an 2:115 SAY: We believe in God and that which was revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ismail, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the Prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them and unto Him we surrender. Qur'an 2:136

Basic Ideas of Islam Muslims follow the 5 Pillars of Islam –The Profession of Faith –Five daily prayers –Almsgiving, or charity to the poor –Fast during Ramadan –Journey to Mecca

The First Pillar: Shahadah The Profession of Faith: –“There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet”

The Second Pillar: Salah Salah, or 5 daily prayers –Muslims always try to pray facing Mecca

The Third Pillar: Zakat The Third Pillar is Zakat, or almsgiving –To help the poor and needy –To help spread the Islamic faith

The Fourth Pillar: Sawm Sawm, or the Ramadan fast –Ramadan is a month in the Islamic calendar –Muslims avoid food and drink during daytime

The Fifth Pillar: hajj The Hajj- journey to Mecca –All Muslims are encouraged to visit Mecca at least once in their lifetime

Islam Muslims worship in mosques They avoid alcohol and pork “Jihad” is the struggle to defend the Faith; also translated as “holy war”

Divisions of Islam Muslims split in 644 over who should lead them. There are 2 main groups of Muslims: Sunni Muslims (followers of the Prophet) Shi’a Muslims (the Party of Ali) A third group, the Sufis, seek a personal, mystical connection with Allah – Use meditation, trances, dance, poetry

Muslim Expansion Areas conquered by Muslim forces: –Arabia –Egypt (639) –Persia (642) –Judea/ Syria –Northern Africa (661) –Spain (750)

The Muslim Caliphates After Muhammad's death the Muslims were led by caliphs Umayyad Caliphate ( ) – Umayyad capital: Damascus Abbasid Caliphate ( ) – Abbasid capital: Baghdad

Muhammad's Teachings The Hadith – the collected sayings of Muhammad The Sunna- the record of Muhammad's behavior and teachings Sharia – laws based on the teachings of the Quran

Muslim Culture Muslim Achievements –Translated Greek and Roman works into Arabic –Invented the astrolabe, to calculate positions of stars and planets

Muslim Achievements Mathematics –Algebra first explained by Al-Khwarizmi –Trigonometry Medicine –Ibn-Sina (Avicenna)- famous doctor and scholar –Eye surgery –Pharmacy –Doctors had to pass rigorous tests

Muslim Arts No pictures of humans or animals Floral and geometric designs Calligraphy – in books, on walls and household objects

Muslim Literature The Qur’an 1001 Arabian Nights –Ali Baba –Sinbad the Sailor –Aladdin Poetry –Rumi –Omar Khayyam – the Rubiyat