1. Islam

2. Life of Muhammad The founder of Islam was a man named Muhammad
Muhammad was born in a town called Mecca in A.D. 570
Muhammad worked for a tribe called the Bedouins. He worked as a shepherd who led caravans of people and animals across across the desert.

3. Life of Muhammad
Muhammad was a successful merchant as he brought caravans across the desert
Muhammad did not like the greediness of people in his city of Mecca
One day, in his escape from the city to meditate, Muhammad was spoken to by the angel Gabriel who asked him to be a messenger for God
He dedicated his life to worshipping and spreading the word of God, known as Allah

4. Spread of Islam
Muhammad began teaching the word of God around Mecca and asked people to give up their polytheism, or many Gods to worship Allah
Muhammad was threatened by merchants in Mecca that he would be killed if he continued to spread this message
Muhammad and his followers left Mecca for the city of Yathrib
The journey out of Mecca to Yathrib is known as the hijra
The city of Yathrib is now known as Medina which means the “city of the Prophet”

5. Return to Mecca
Muhammad gained many followers in Medina and eventually went to war with Mecca
Muhammad returned to Mecca in 630 AD
Muhammad rededicated the Kaaba or temple in Mecca to worship Allah
Muhammad died in 632 AD while trying to unite the Arab peninsula under Islam

6. Islam & the Qu’ran
Islam is another monotheistic religion like Judasim and Christianity
Islam also believes in prophets like Abraham, Moses and Jesus, but believes Muhammad to be the last and greatest prophet
The most sacred text of Islam is the Qu’ran which contains the words said to Muhammad by God
Beliefs outlined in the Qu’ran are honesty, generosity and justice
The Qu’ran also states that God is all powerful and compassionate
The Qu’ran is written in the original texts so almost all Muslims learn Arabic

7. 5 Pillars of Islam 1) Declare your faith in Allah and Islam
2) Pray five times daily while facing the city of Mecca. Many Muslims pray in their place of worship known as the mosque
3) Give charity to the poor

8. 5 Pillars of Islam
4) Fast from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan
Ramadan is when Muhammad first heard the word from God
In 2013, Ramadan took place in July/August
5) Make a hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca. People must go to Mecca, if possible financially, at least one time in their life

9. Jihad Jihad is a word for struggle in God’s service.
Many Muslims treat this as a personal duty to overcome immorality in their own life
Other, more extreme Muslims, take this to mean a Holy War to defend Islam