Islam

Muhammad – greatest prophet - born: 570 C.E. – Mecca - died: 632 C.E. – Medina - is believed he completed a line of prophets from Adam through Moses, to Jesus. Holiest cities of Islam along with Jerusalem Muhammad lived in Mecca and worked in the caravan trade, which at the time was prospering a great deal as Mecca was a pilgrimage destination for all those who wished to venerate the more than 300 deities who were enshrined in its temple, the Ka’aba. At age 40, while meditating in a cave outside of Mecca, the Angel Gabriel appeared to him and ordered him to repeat the words of God which the angel would recite to him. This happened during the Arab month of Ramadan.

Over the next 22 years, the prophet related these words of God (Allah) to scribes who wrote them down as the Qur’an (Koran) – the holy book of Islam. During this time, the people of Mecca with their polytheistic beliefs viewed this as not only heresy, but also as an economic threat to Mecca, worrying it would disrupt the pilgrimages. So… Muhammad was forced to flee and take refuge in the city of Yathrib (modern day Medina = “city of the prophet”) where a largely Jewish population invited them to settle. This became the “year of the flight” and is the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

Eventually, in a bloodless event, Muhammad in 630 A.D. returns to Mecca. Two years later he is stricken with illness and dies throwing the Islamic world into chaos. Not everyone agrees on who should be the successor, or Caliph. - Those who believe that the person with the best leadership skills and greatest piety was the best qualified became known as Sunni, or orthodox, Muslims. - Those who thought that only direct descendants of Muhammad could qualify as Caliphs became known as Shi’a, or Shi’ite Muslims A fierce hatred developed that still exists to this day.

Islam – translates to “submission to one all-powerful God” - Monotheistic religion that incorporates many of the beliefs and practices of the Jewish and Christian faiths. In fact, it is built upon the foundations of these two religions. - Muslims actually call Jews and Christians “People of the Book” and their faith obliges them to be tolerant of these special peoples. Followers of Islam are called Muslim and they subscribe to a rigorous holy law, or Shari’ah, based on the teaching from the Qur’an Muslims keep the Sabbath of Friday and do not eat pork or drink alcoholic beverages.

The Shari’ah requires that all Muslims fulfill the “five pillars of faith. 1. The profession of faith – involves stating and believing the words, “There is no God but the One God and Muhammad is His Messenger.” 2. Must bow in prayer toward the holy city of Mecca five times a day 3. Must give alms (charity) to the poor and needy 4. Must fast during the daylight hours throughout the holy month of Ramadan, the 9th month of the Muslim calendar, during which Muhammad received his first revelation from God. 5. Must make a pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, at least once in their lifetime