2. ISLAM Has over ONE BILLION followers
Where? – mostly in MIDDLE EAST, Africa, SE Asia
MONOTHEISTIC – one god
Arabic word for god – ALLAH
The word Islam means “submission to the will of God”
Followers of Islam are called MUSLIMS
{“ones who have submitted”}
House of worship – MOSQUE
Religious leaders known as IMAMS

3. ISLAM
Muslims believe in the prophets of JUDAISM and CHRISTIANITY – accept the teachings of ABRAHAM, MOSES, and JESUS
However view those leaders as preparing the way for the final prophet - MUHAMMAD

4. MUHAMMAD 570-632 AD born in city MECCA {located today in Saudi Arabia}
Age of 40 claimed to have revelations from God
Began preaching MONOTHEISTIC beliefs {most in the area were polytheistic}
Revelations later collected and written – QURAN
QURAN is the holy book of Muslims

5. HIJRAH Muhammad greeted with HOSTILITY by some
622 – avoids persecution by escaping to MEDINA (city 200 miles to the north of Mecca)
Journey is called the HIJRAH
Considered a very holy event by Muslims
(kept religion alive)
622 is the first year of the Muslim CALENDAR

6. Muhammad’s Conquest While in MEDINA Muhammad attracted more followers
He became a political and military leader as well as a religious leader
630 – led by 10,000 troops Muhammad captures MECCA
Mecca and the surrounding Arab world converts to Islam
632 Muhammad dies

7. FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
1. FAITH – believe in one god (ALLAH) and the final prophet (MUHAMMAD)
2. PRAYER- FIVE times a day facing city of MECCA
3. ALMS (Charity) – supporting less fortunate
4. FASTING – Muslims do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of RAMADAN
5. PILGRIMAGE – visit the holy city of MECCA at least once in your lifetime (this visit is called the HAJJ)