IslamAn Abrahamic Religion

IslamAn Abrahamic Religion Muslims are strict 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.

Peoples of the BookPeoples 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 Prophetic Tradition

The Prophetic Tradition

Adam

Noah

Abraham

Moses

Jesus

Muhammad

The Origins of the Qur’an

The Origins of the Qur’an Muhammad received his first

revelation from the angel Gabriel in the Cave of Hira in 610.

622 Hijrah Muhammed flees Mecca for Medina. * The beginning of the Muslim calendar (1 A.H.)

Muhammad’s revelations were compiled into the Qur’an after his death.

The Qur’anThe Qur’an Muslims believe it contains the word of God.

114 suras (chapters).

In the name of Allah, the compassionate, the merciful. Written in Arabic.

1. The Shahada1. The Shahada

11

The testimony.

The declaration of faith:There is no god worthy of There is no god worthy of worship except God, andworship except God, andMuhammad is HisMuhammad is HisMessenger [or Prophet].Messenger [or Prophet].

There is no god worthy of There is no god worthy of worship except God, andworship except God, andMuhammad is HisMuhammad is HisMessenger [or Prophet].Messenger [or Prophet].

2. The Salat2. The Salat

22

The mandatory prayers performed 5 times a day: * dawn * noon * late afternoon * sunset * before going to bed

Wash before praying.

Face Mecca and use a prayer rug.

2. The Salat2. The Salat

22

The call to prayer by the muezzin in the minaret.

Pray in the mosque on Friday.

3. The Zakat3. The Zakat

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Almsgiving (charitable donations).

Muslims believe that all things belong to God.

Zakat means both “purification” and “growth.”

About 2.5% of your income.

4. The Sawm4. The Sawm

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Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.

Considered a method of self- purification.

No eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.

Eid MubarakEid Mubarak

End of the Ramadan holiday.

5. The Hajj5. The Hajj

55

The pilgrimage to Mecca.

Must be done at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime.

2-3 million Muslims make the pilgrimage every year.

5. The Hajj5. The Hajj

55

Those who complete the pilgrimage can add the title hajji to their name.

What is the What is the Ka’aba?Ka’aba?

• Located in the center of MeccaLocated in the center of Mecca• Pre-dates Islam (said to have been Pre-dates Islam (said to have been

built by Abraham and Ishmael as an built by Abraham and Ishmael as an altar to God)altar to God)

• Used by pre-Muslim Arabs for Used by pre-Muslim Arabs for worship of their many tribal gods worship of their many tribal gods (idols)(idols)

• Year 630: reclaimed by Muhammad, Year 630: reclaimed by Muhammad, cleansed and rededicated to Allahcleansed and rededicated to Allah

• Center of Islam to this day – place of Center of Islam to this day – place of annual pilgrimage and direction of annual pilgrimage and direction of prayer for Muslims from all corners of prayer for Muslims from all corners of the globethe globe

The Dar al-Islam

The Dar al-Islam

11 22 33 44 55

The WorldThe Worldof Islamof Islam

The WorldThe Worldof Islamof Islam

The MosqueThe Mosque The Muslim place of worship.

What is a What is a Mosque?Mosque?

• A place for prayer, study, A place for prayer, study, socializingsocializing

• No shoes in prayer hallNo shoes in prayer hall• Women cover head, separate Women cover head, separate

from menfrom men• Wudu room for ritual cleansing Wudu room for ritual cleansing

before prayerbefore prayer• Minaret for call to prayer (Minaret for call to prayer (AdhaanAdhaan))

• Prayer hall oriented toward Prayer hall oriented toward Mecca Mecca (qibla)(qibla)

• Imam (prayer leader) stands in Imam (prayer leader) stands in mirahbmirahb(niche) (niche)

The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem

Important MosquesImportant Mosques

The Great Mosque in Mecca

The Prophet’s Mosque in Medina

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.

Islam as a Way of LifeIslam as a Way of Life

Shariah (Islamic Law) Shariah (Islamic Law) • Based on Qur’an + Hadith and Sunnah Based on Qur’an + Hadith and Sunnah • Concerned with preserving human dignity Concerned with preserving human dignity

through five principles:through five principles:– preservation of lifepreservation of life– preservation of progeny (family)preservation of progeny (family)– preservation of intellect (education)preservation of intellect (education)– preservation of wealth (property)preservation of wealth (property)– preservation of religion preservation of religion

• not just for the individual but for not just for the individual but for the societythe society

What about Women in What about Women in Islam?Islam?

• Respected and Protected by Respected and Protected by MenMen

• ““Modest dress” for Modest dress” for bothboth men and womenmen and women– ““Hijab” differs from culture to Hijab” differs from culture to

cultureculture– Heavy cover and veil Heavy cover and veil notnot a a

religious requirementreligious requirement

Rights of Rights of WomenWomen

• Right to vote (citizenship)Right to vote (citizenship)• Right to inheritRight to inherit• Right to work, earn and keep her Right to work, earn and keep her

own moneyown money• Right to keep her own name in Right to keep her own name in

marriagemarriage• Right to initiate divorceRight to initiate divorce• Right to refuse additional wivesRight to refuse additional wives• Female infanticide outlawedFemale infanticide outlawed

Essential Question:Essential Question:

Why was Islam able to spread so quickly and

convert so many to the new religion?

The Spread of IslamThe Spread of Islam Easy to learn and practice.

No priesthood.

Teaches equality.

Non-Muslims, who were “Peoples of the Book,” were allowed religious freedom, but paid additional taxes.

Easily “portable” nomads & trade routes.

Jihad (“Holy War”) against pagans and other non-believers (“infidels”).

Muslims in the WorldToday

Muslims in the WorldToday

Countries with the Largest Muslim

Population

Countries with the Largest Muslim

Population1. Indonesia 183,000,00

06. Iran 62,000,000

2. Pakistan 134,000,000

7. Egypt 59,000,000

3. India 121,000,000

8. Nigeria 53,000,000

4. Bangladesh

114,000,000

9. Algeria 31,000,000

5. Turkey 66,000,000 10. Morocco 29,000,000

* Arabs make up only 20% of the total Muslim population of the

world.

Muslims in AmericaMuslims in America

Muslim Culture in NYC

Muslim Culture in NYC

The Islamic Center, New York City