ISLAM - “to submit” “There is no god but Allah: Muhammad is the prophet of Allah”

Muhammad “The Prophet” n 570 CE in Mecca n raised by an Uncle n hermit; spent time in solitude – prayed in mtn caves – Angel Gabriel appeared to him n “RECITE” n became QURAN n Ramadan was t/month that Quran was recited to Muhammad. n Khadija – 1st convert to Islam – Muhammad’s 1st wife

The QURAN n Muslim holy book – sits at the right hand of Allah n exact word of Allah as revealed to Mu. by Angel Gabriel – God becomes the Word n authority on religion, politics, law, economics & social life n forbidden to translate from Arabic n link btwn all Muslims

FIVE PILLARS of ISLAM n Proclamation of Faith n Prayer five times a day – facing Mecca n Alms (charity) to the poor & aged n Fasting during Ramadan – Gabriel spoke to Mu – month of Hejira – no food/water btwn sunrise & sunset n Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca ONCE in a lifetime

HEJIRA n 622 CE n first year of Muslim Calendar n migration of Mu. & Muslims fm Mecca to Medina n Yathrib changed to Medina (city o/t Prophet) – 2nd holiest site in Islam n 630 CE: war w/ Meccans – captures Mecca n dedicates KA’ABA to Allah n smashes all idols n holiest site in Islam

Women in Islam n Men & women are spiritual equals n Hijab shows Muslim identity – recognize intelligence, not sexuality – seen as feminine n Sunnah 4:3: If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, tow or three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly, then marry only one. n Hadith: “seeking knowledge is mandatory for all Muslims” (writings of Sunnahs)

EXPANSION OF ISLAM n Arab armies united by their belief in Islam n Muslim warriors who died in combat won a place in paradise – Jihad n lure of riches (booty) n tolerant conquerors – special non-believers tax n Commerce spread

Quranic teachings n “people of the book” – Jews & Christians – treat w/ tolerance n be merciful & compassionate n repeat 1st Pillar three times in front of male Muslim to become a Muslim n “I divorce you” x3 n Hadith: traditional sayings of the prophet

Golden Age of Islam (1st four Caliphs: successors to the Prophet) n Abu-Bakr ( CE) n Mu’s father-in-law – Ayesha n united all Arab tribes n Umar ( ) – Ridda Wars – captured Baghdad & Jerusalem – most of Persia conquered – murdered by Persian slave n Uthman ( ) – captured Egypt & N. Africa – assassinated by fellow Muslims n Ali ( ) – Mu’s son-in-law (Fatima) – assassinated by own people

Islamic Sects (divisions) n Sunni Muslims – any devout male Muslim can be Caliph – high moral character – majority n Shi’ites (Shiah) – only descendents of Ali can be Caliph – 12th Imam will return on Judgement Day – only Imams can guide Muslims to salvation – minority (except Iran & Iraq)