IslamAn Abrahamic Religion
IslamAn Abrahamic Religion Muslims are monotheists.
They believe in the Judeo- Christian God, which they call Allah.
Muslims believe that the Torah and the Bible, like the Qur’an, is the word of God.
Jews, Christians and Muslims are ”Peoples of the Book””Peoples of the Book”
Abraham’s GenealogyAbraham’s Genealogy
ABRAHAMABRAHAM SARAHSARAHHAGARHAGAR
IsaacIsaac
EsauEsauJacobJacob
12 Tribes of Israel
12 Tribes of Israel
Ishmael
Ishmael
12 Arabian Tribes
12 Arabian Tribes
The Origins of the Qur’an
The Origins of the Qur’an Muhammad’s first revelation
from an angel in 610. 622 Hijrah Muhammed flees Mecca for Medina. *The beginning of the Muslim calendar (Year 1)
Muhammad’s revelations became the Qur’an (Koran) after his death.
1. The Shahada1. The Shahada
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The declaration of faith:
There is no god except God, There is no god except God, and Muhammad is Hisand Muhammad is HisProphet.Prophet.
There is no god except God, There is no god except God, and Muhammad is Hisand Muhammad is HisProphet.Prophet.
2. The Salat2. The Salat
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The mandatory prayers 5 times a day: * dawn * noon * late afternoon * sunset * before going to bed
Face Mecca and use a prayer rug.
4. The Sawm4. The Sawm
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Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.
A method of self-purification.
No eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.
5. The Hajj5. The Hajj
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The pilgrimage to Mecca.
Must be done at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime.
2-3 million Muslims make the pilgrimage every year.
The Dar al-Islam
The Dar al-Islam
11 22 33 44 55
The WorldThe Worldof Islamof Islam
The WorldThe Worldof Islamof Islam
Unifying sourceCompare to European Catholicism
Other Islamic Religious Practices
Other Islamic Religious Practices
Up to four wives allowed at once.
No alcohol or pork.
No gambling.
Sharia body of Islamic law to regulate daily living.
Three holiest cities in Islam: * Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem.
The Dome of the Rock Mosque in
Jerusalem
The Dome of the Rock Mosque in
Jerusalem
Mount Moriah Rockwhere Muhammad ascended into heaven.
Quiz Bonus Question:
Quiz Bonus Question:Why was Islam
able to spread so quickly and
convert so many people to the new religion?
The Spread of IslamThe Spread of Islam Easy to learn and practice.
No priests.
Teaches equality.
Non-Muslims, who were “Peoples of the Book,” were allowed religious freedom, but paid additional taxes.
Easily “portable” nomads & trade routes.
Jihad (“Struggle”) against pagans and other non-believers (“infidels”).
Problem:Problem:
• No successor to MuhammadNo successor to Muhammad
• They will choose a “Caliph” – They will choose a “Caliph” – Political and religious leader, Political and religious leader, successor to Muhammadsuccessor to Muhammad
SunniSunni• Muhammad left no Muhammad left no
successorsuccessor• Felt caliph should Felt caliph should
be chosen by be chosen by Muslim leadersMuslim leaders
• One is appointed One is appointed from among peersfrom among peers
• Abu Bakr—Abu Bakr—Friend Friend of Muhammadof Muhammad
ShiaShia• Muhammad left a Muhammad left a
chosen successorchosen successor• Felt only true Felt only true
successors were successors were blood descendents blood descendents of Muhammadof Muhammad
• AliAli—Son-in-law, —Son-in-law, cousin of cousin of MuhammadMuhammad
Abu BakrAbu Bakr• SunniSunni• Leader of Umayyads Leader of Umayyads • Proclaimed CaliphProclaimed Caliph
AliAli• ShiiteShiite• Appointed new CaliphAppointed new Caliph
Ali is murderedAli is murdered
First Three CaliphsFirst Three Caliphs
Abu BakrAbu Bakr
• Expands the faithExpands the faith
UmarUmar
• Brought Jerusalem under controlBrought Jerusalem under control
UthmanUthman
• Murdered—Causes great conflict!!!Murdered—Causes great conflict!!!
Capital moved to Damascus, SyriaCapital moved to Damascus, Syria
Decline and FallDecline and Fall
• Leaders abandon simple lifestyleLeaders abandon simple lifestyle• Many Muslims dissatisfiedMany Muslims dissatisfied
Abbas – Leader of dissatisfied MuslimsAbbas – Leader of dissatisfied Muslims• Allies with ShiitesAllies with Shiites• Revolt against DamascusRevolt against Damascus• Reconciliation BanquetReconciliation Banquet
– Slaughtered UmayyadsSlaughtered Umayyads
Move to BaghdadMove to Baghdad
• New capital, ideal locationNew capital, ideal location– Close to PersianClose to Persian
capitalcapital
– Spectacular citySpectacular city
– Economic andEconomic andacademic centeracademic centerof Muslim worldof Muslim world
Courtly ExcessesCourtly Excesses
• Untouchable rulersUntouchable rulers
– The “Shadow of God on Earth”The “Shadow of God on Earth”
• Life of luxuryLife of luxury
• Caliph Harun al-Rashid 786-809Caliph Harun al-Rashid 786-809
– ““Golden Age of Muslims”Golden Age of Muslims”• Learning, trade, and governmentLearning, trade, and government
• Civil war after Rashid’s deathCivil war after Rashid’s death