1. THE
TEACHINGS OF
ISLAM

2. What are the major teachings of Islam?
Essential Question:
What are the major teachings of Islam?

3. ISLAM’S ORIGIN
Islam is a religion that was founded in the early 600s in Arabia (present-day Saudi Arabia)

4. ISLAM’S ORIGIN
An Arabian named Muhammad was inspired to become a prophet after a vision of the angel Gabriel told him he was sent to Earth by God to do so
The new religion he invented would be called Islam and his followers called Muslims

5. BELIEFS OF ISLAM
Muslims (as well as Jews and Christians) all trace their origins back to Abraham, who was the “father of the Hebrews”

6. BELIEFS OF ISLAM
According to Muslim belief, the words of the angel Gabriel to Muhammad are what makes up the Qur’an, which is Islam’s holy book

7. BELIEFS OF ISLAM
Muslims believe that the Jews’ Torah and the Christians’ Bible are also God’s word, but they believe that the Qu’ran is God’s FINAL revelation to the world, showing the way God wants people to behave and worship

8. BELIEFS OF ISLAM
Because the Muslims respect parts of the Bible and Torah, they consider Christians and Jews “People of the Book”

9. BELIEFS OF ISLAM
Islam is monotheistic, worshipping only one God (the same God of Judaism and Christianity)

10. BELIEFS OF ISLAM

11. BELIEFS OF ISLAM
The rules and guidelines Muslims go by in regards to their religious practices are called the Five Pillars of Islam

12. FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM: SHAHADAH
The First Pillar is called shahadah, or “profession of faith”, in which Muslims declare their belief in one God and in Muhammad’s role as the final prophet

13. FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM: SHAHADAH
“There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God”

14. FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM: SHAHADAH
Shahadah means Muslims not only believe in God (or “Allah”), but pledge their submission to God to gain the reward of Heaven in the afterlife
Muslims share the same Judeo-Christian belief that God rewards good people with Heaven and punishes evil people with Hell

15. FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM: SALAT
The Second Pillar is Salat, which means “daily ritual prayer”; prayer must be done five times per day (dawn, noon, midday, sunset, and at night)

16. FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM: SALAT
Before praying, Muslims must perform ritual washings of their hands, arms, face, and feet

17. FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM: SALAT
Muslim places of worship are called mosques; however, Muslims may worship anywhere

18. FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM: SALAT
Wherever they are in the world, Muslims face in the direction of Mecca when they pray

19. FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM: ZAKAT
The Third Pillar is “zakat”, which means “alms-giving”; this is giving money to the poor
Muslims believe sharing wealth makes it pure and helps control greed
Zakat is similar to the charitable donations made by Jews and Christians to support their communities

20. FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM: ZAKAT
According to Islam, Muslims must donate one-fortieth (or 2.5%) of their income with their poorer neighbors

21. FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM: SIYAM
The Fourth Pillar is Siyam, or fasting (going without food)

22. FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM: SIYAM
Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar
Ramadan honors the month Gabriel revealed God’s message to Muhammad
Muslims go without food or drink from sunrise to sunset, then attend special prayer sessions at mosques
Fasting teaches them self-control and reminds them of what it would be like to be poor

23. FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM: SIYAM
Ramadan ends with a celebration feast day called Eid al-Fitr

24. FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM: HAJJ
The Fifth Pillar is “hajj”, which is a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca; every 12 months in the Islamic calendar, millions of Muslims gather at Mecca

25. FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM: HAJJ
Part of the five days of rituals is circling the Ka’aba seven times while conducting prayers and dressed in simple white clothing

26. FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM: HAJJ
The purpose of the hajj is to promote fellowship and equality as Muslims from many countries around the world meet in Mecca
They honor Abraham (who they believe built the Ka’aba) and Muhammad and partake in four days of feasts

27. FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM: HAJJ
All adult Muslims who are able to are expected to make the hajj once in their lifetime

28. “Jihad” means “to struggle”
Early Muslims considered battles to defend their territory and expand their empire to be a form of jihad

29. JIHAD
Muhammad declared that fighting with enemies was “lesser jihad”, while the battle to control oneself was the “greater jihad”

30. JIHAD
Unfortunately, many extremist Muslims today see jihad as a battle against any non-Muslims (“non-believers”) and use violence to achieve their goals

31. Islamic law is shari’a, or “path to be followed”
SHARI’A LAW
Islamic law is shari’a, or “path to be followed”
The Qu’ran gives Muslims their duties to God, while caliphs served as judges in disputes
Shari’a law grew as the Muslims’ empire expanded, providing a guide for Muslim life

32. SHARI’A LAW
Shari’a law encourages some behaviors, while forbidding others, such as eating pork, drinking alcohol, or gambling
Shari’a also commands women to “not show their beauty”, so many Muslim women cover themselves to one degree or another

33. Islam’s “Crescent Moon and Star” symbol; there are several theories about what it means
One is that the points of the Moon cover the ends of the Earth and the five points of the Star represent the Five Pillars of Islam

34. Closure Activity: Review Quiz

35. Closure Activity: Review Quiz

36. Closure Activity: Review Quiz