Islam

Fast Facts2nd largest religion in the world

1 billion followersMonotheisticFounded by a man named Muhammad in 7th

century Saudi ArabiaMain location

Middle East and North Africa

Life of MuhammadBorn in Mecca; grew up to become caravan

manager and marry rich widow named Khadija

Was troubled by growing gap between rich and poor – went to hills to meditate

Muslims believe that Muhammad received revelations from God (Allah) – messages given by angel GabrielCame to believe that Allah had already revealed

himself in part through Moses and JesusFinal revelations of Allah were being given to

Muhammad

Out of these revelations came the Quran (holy book of Islam)Contains the ethical guidelines and laws by which the

followers of Allah are to liveMuslims – those who practice IslamIslam has only one God, Allah, and Muhammad is

God’s prophetMuhammad returned home and reflected on his

experienceKhadija became 1st convert to IslamMuhammad set out to convince the people of Mecca

of the truth of revelations

In 622 AD, Muhammad fled north to the city of Medina to escape growing persecutionThis event is celebrated by Muslims as the hijira

("flight") and marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar (622 AD = 1 AH)

Eight years later, Muhammad returned to Mecca with an army and defeated it easilyBy Muhammad's death, 50 years later, the

entire Arabian Peninsula had come under Muslim control

The word "Islam" means "submission," reflecting the religion's central tenet of submitting to the will of God

SectsDeath of Muhammad left problems

Questions as to who would be Muhammad’s successor Sunni

940 million followers Sunnis have their historical roots in the majority

group who followed Abu Bakr, an effective leader, as Muhammad's successor instead of the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law Ali

Shiite 120 million followers Shi'ites are those who followed Ali, the closest

relative of Muhammad, as Muhammad's successor

Central PracticesFollowing the Five Pillars of Islam

Belief There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger

Prayer Performing the prescribed prayers 5 times per day toward

MeccaCharity

Giving alms to the poorFasting

Refraining from food and drink from dawn until dusk through the month of Ramadan

Pilgrimage Making a pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime

QuranSacred text of IslamMuslims believe it contains the literal word of

God as gradually revealed to Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel over the course of 20 years

Also important is the tradition of the sayings and actions of the Prophet and his Companions, collected in the hadith

Islam and the WestIslam and the West have had a rocky relationship

for centuries, and in recent years the tension has only seemed to escalate. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine is religiously charged, Western involvement in Middle Eastern affairs is resented, and various hijackers, suicide bombers and terrorists base their actions on their Muslim faith.

Many Muslims, however, have denounced this radical minority as violating both true Islam and the true meaning of jihad, and Islam continues to be the fastest-growing religion in the world.

Islamic Places Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Most sacred place in Islam Kaaba is a mosque (built by Abraham according to Muslim tradition) built

around a black stone The Kaaba is believed to be the first place that was created on earth and the place

at which heavenly bliss and power touches the earth directly

Medina, Saudi Arabia “city of the prophet” It was to Medina city that Muhammad fled when he was initially driven out

of Mecca, and the place where he attracted his first followers Jerusalem

Jerusalem is revered because, in Muslim tradition, Muhammad miraculously traveled to Jerusalem by night and ascended from there into heaven The most notable Muslim site in Jerusalem is the Dome of the Rock is built over

a sacred stone This stone is holy to Jews as well, who believe it to be the site at which Abraham

prepared to sacrifice Isaac

AfterLifeResurrection of body and soul followed by eternal

paradise or hellOn the Last Day, resurrected humans will be judged

by Allah according to their deedsOne's eternal destination depends on balance of good

to bad deeds in lifeThey are either granted admission to Paradise, where

they will enjoy spiritual and physical pleasures forever, or condemned to Hell to suffer spiritual and physical torment for eternity The day of judgment is described as passing over Hell on a

narrow bridge in order to enter Paradise. Those who fall, weighted by their bad deeds, will remain in Hell forever

ExceptionsWarriors who die fighting in the cause of God

are ushered immediately to God's presence“Enemies of Islam" are sentenced immediately

to Hell upon death