Islam Means submission to Allah Started in Saudi Arabia Definition: the monotheistic religion of the Muslims

Islam Means: “peace through submission to the will of Allah” Those who follow Islam are called Muslim – “one who submits”

People of the Arabian Peninsula Nomads: no settled home Knowledge of desert, good guides for traders Mecca: Important trading center Goods traded: perfume, spices, incense, cloth, elephant tusks and gold

Muhammad the Prophet Allah spoke to him through an angel and Mohamed experienced a revelation. Muhammed recited “inspired” words Recognized Moses and Jesus as prophets Muhammad is from Mecca. Traveled to Medina to speak of his message.

More on Muhammad Followers to Medina: called hijra. The year is 622. This is the first year on the Muslim calendar. Although Muhammad is the leader, he is NOT divine Images of Muhammad are forbidden

The Quran Final revelations of Allah given to Muhammad Muhammad’s revelations make up the Quran contains ethical guidelines

Teachings of the Quran Only one God, Allah, and Muhammad was his prophet Allah is omnipotent Those who followed Allah’s commands would be rewarded, those who did not punished

The Kaaba Abraham and Ishmael built Kaaba (house of worship) cornerstone sacred- Black Stone supreme god Allah along with the tribal gods

Muslims, Mosques, Minarets

View on Christianity View Christians and Jews as people of the book Recognize prophets. See Jesus as prophet. Muhammad was last prophet

Important Facts Monotheistic Don’t see Jesus as Savior, but as a prophet Holy Book- Quran

Hilal e Ehmer

The five pillars of Islam Follow the Five Pillars to Islam and you will go to heaven Proclamation of Faith, Prayer, Fasting, Pilgrimage, Alms

1. Proclamation of Faith Must affirm faith in 1 god- Allah and Muhammad is his last prophet last in long line of human prophets not a new religion but revival of true word that God revealed to Abraham and others

2. Prayer Pray 5 times a day at intervals from dawn to sunset face Kaaba and bow in submission Friday is day of communal worship Gather at noon in mosques

3. Fasting Fast from dawn to dusk during month of Ramadan This is month that Muhammad received revelation time of atonement and reminder

4. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) Make pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime Reminder to Muslims of their shared faith keep pilgrimage route safe

5. Alms Annual wealth tax that Muslims must pay developed in practice to 2.5% of wealth and assets

Divisions based on succession Muhammad never named a successor There is a division of Muslims based on who should be Muhammad’s successor

Sunni Muslims Sunni: accept the best person caliphs are mortals with no divine powers No man should interpret God’s message Most Muslims: 85%

Shia Muslims Only accept descendents of Muhammad as true rulers of Islam Divine inspiration passed down from caliph to caliph Explain messages from God

Most Muslims in the Middle East are Sunni, Majority in Iran /Iraq are Shia Spread of Islam beyond Middle East to Africa, Asia, Europe and US