The Rise/Origins of

Islam

OriginsArabs

-Arabian Peninsula, arid climate

Nomadic, Semitic-speaking people

Organized into tribes and were led by a sheikh who was chosen from a council of elders.

The tribes were independent, but worked together

TradeImportant center for trade.

The city of Mecca became rich from the caravan trade traffic which passed through the area.

Known as a “crossroads”

Early Religion-Most polytheistic, recognized a chief, or supreme god

-Allah :Arabic for “God.”

-Allah symbolized by a sacred stone called the Black Stone which was placed in the shrine called the Kaaba.

-This shrine was located in the city of Mecca (now Saudi Arabia.)

the Ka’bah

Origins

• Began with the prophet Muhammed/Mohammed/ Mohammad

The Life of Muhammad

Muhammad was born in Mecca to a merchant family (570 AD)

His parents died when he was young and he ended up living with his uncle who was a merchant and he became a caravan manager.

Muhammad in

Arabic Calligraphy

Muhammad married an older widow named Khadija.

He was troubled by idol worship and the moral ills of society.

He decided to visit the hills to meditate.

He was meditating in the hills and received revelations from God through the Angel Gabriel calling him to be the messenger of God

Muhammad’s Revelation

Angel Gabriel told Muhammad to recite what he heard- There is one god, Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger (a summary)

This final revelation became the religion of Islam. Which means submission to the will of God.

• Muhammad’s wife encouraged him to accept the call of God

• She was the first convert to the Islam faith

After the Revelation

He tried to convert the people of Makkah to his message, but he was unsuccessful.

The Hijra-A Turning Point

• His rejection of idols outraged those merchants who sold idols

• Fearing for his life he fled to Medina (known then as Yathrib)

• Journey became know as the Hijra• Welcomed and converted many• Years later returned to Mecca in triumph and

destroyed the idols

The TeachingsIslam is Monotheistic, like Judaism and Christianity.

A belief in an afterlife.

Muslims do not believe the Muhammad was divine, they believe that he was a man.

Seen not just as a religion, but as a way of life.

The Quran (Koran)

The Quran, the holy book of Islam.

The Quran contains ethical guidelines and laws by which Muslims (followers of Islam) should live their lives.

The Nature of The QuranWritten in Arabic, which was the language of

Muhammad.

Considered to only be true when it is written in its original language.

The Muslim observance of Ramadan is to commemorate the recording of the holy text.

• Converts of Islam often learn Arabic so they can read the Koran in its original form.

• Muslims believe it is God’s final word

• Torah and Bible are contain partial revelations from God so Jews and Christians are referred to as “people of the book” –classified as superior to polytheistic idol worshippers

Sharia• Islamic law system• Derived from the interpretations of the Koran• Regulates-moral conduct, family life, business

practices, dietary laws and government• Doesn’t separate religious matters from

criminal or civil law

Rules about Diet

Dhabah-slaughter• Animal or bird must be the one that is permitted• Alive, healthy and conscious at the time of slaughter• Clean and hygienic (Tayyab, wholesome)• Slaughterman – Muslim, trained / licensed • Knife should be clean and sharp• Allah’s name must be invoked (Bismillahi Allahu

Akber) at the time of slaughter• Neck arteries, veins, windpipe should be severed by a

rapid stroke• Blood should be allowed to flow freely

More Sharia• Muslims are expected to practice honesty and

justice in dealing with others • Forbidden to gamble, eat pork, drink alcohol,

or engage in dishonest behavior.

Five Pillars of Islam• Set of 5 rules all

Muslims must live by.• Given by Muhammad

in the Sunna- “The Words and Deeds of Muhammad”

The Five Pillars of Islam• 1-Declaration of Faith (Shahada)

– Muslims must state that there is not God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet.

• 2. Daily Prayer (Salah)– Muslims must pray five times a day facing the

Kaaba in Mecca. • Pre Dawn• Noon• Afternoon• Sunset• Evening

Ablution (washing) before PrayerAblution (washing) before Prayer

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10

Five Pillars Continued . . .

3. Charity (Zakat)– Muslims are supposed to help others and donate

part of their income to charity.

4. Fasting (Saum)Fast from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan which celebrates the recording of the Quran.

Hajj• 5. Pilgrimage: Hajj

– Once in a lifetime, if they are physically and financially able , Muslims are to journey to Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia and perform the rituals of the Hajj.

Hajj is expected to fall between Hajj is expected to fall between October 13-18, 2013October 13-18, 2013

Religion

The Qu’ran Muhammad Shahada

Salah

Zakat

Saum

Hajj

Compare and contrast the 3 monotheistic religions