ISLAMThe Faith
1. WHAT IS THIS & WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
2. WHAT IS THIS & WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
3. WHAT IS THIS AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
ANSWERS
1. A cross, a symbol of Christianity and of Jesus’s crucifixion.
2. A Star of David, a symbol of Judaism and of the Jewish people.
3. Allah, the word God written in Arabic and a symbol of Islam.
QUESTION 4
Why do we easily recognize symbols of Judaism and Christianity, while we do not so easily recognize symbols of Islam?
ISLAM-BACKGROUND
The Arabian Peninsula was sandwiched between the Byzantine and Sassanid Empires
Inhabited by Bedouins, nomadic herders who traversed the Arabian Desert
The Bedouins were mainly polytheistic, but were aware of monotheists like Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians
ISLAM-BACKGROUND
Each year, Bedouins made a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca, home of the Black Stone-a shrine to their gods in the Kaaba (cube)
The Quraysh tribe, descendants of Ishmael, were wealthy merchants who controlled the pilgrimage trade
MUHAMMAD
Muhammad ibn Abdallah, born 570 BCE in Mecca
Father died before he was born, his mother shortly after, his grandfather when he was a young child-raised by an uncle
Born into the Quraysh tribe, met Jews, Christians, and Hanifs-another monotheistic group
REVELATION
Muhammad would spend time praying in a cave in Mt. Hira
The angel Gabriel appeared to Muhammad
Revealed that there is one God, the God of Abraham, and Muhammad was to be his greatest and final prophet
MUHAMMAD AS PROPHET
Muslims see Muhammad as the last in a line of “reformers” of Abrahamic religion
Moses
Jesus (not God or son of God)
Muhammad
ISLAM
Muhammad’s new religion would be called “Islam”-submission to God
Followers of Islam would be called Muslims-servants of God
The first Muslim was Khadija, Muhammad’s wife
THE HIJRA
Muhammad’s revelation angered the leaders of Mecca, including his own family members
He left Mecca in 622-The Hijra, or journey
Muhammad was welcomed in the city of Yathrib, which was renamed Medina-the city of the prophet
BATTLE OF BADR
Muslims began attacking the caravans of Mecca
In the ensuing battle, the Muslims were victorious and many of Mecca’s leaders were killed
Legitimized Muhammad as both a spiritual and political leader
An attack by Mecca on Medina called the Battle of the Trench was unsuccessful
RETURN TO MECCA
In 629, Muhammad returns to Mecca with 10,000 followers, peacefully takes over the city
Removes the idols from the Kaaba and prays there
Islam begins to spread, Muhammad is looked at as a leader
THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
To become a Muslim, one must accept the Five Pillars of Islam
Shahada-The Testimony
Salat-Prayer
Sawm-Fasting
Zakat-Almsgiving
Hajj-Pilgramage
SHAHADA
A declaration of the faith of Islam
“There is no God but God (Allah) and Muhammad is His prophet.”
SALAT
Muslims perform five prayers daily
They face Mecca while they pray
SAWM
Muslims fast during daylight hours during the holy month of Ramadan
ZAKAT
Muslims are expected to give 2.5% of their income to the needy
HAJJ
If possible, Muslims are expected to visit the Kaaba in Mecca once during their lifetimes
DIVISIONS IN ISLAM
After Muhammad’s death, controversy arose over who should become caliph (successor)
The caliph was both a political and religious leader
Shi’ites (10-15% of Muslims) believe only descendants of Muhammad’s cousin Ali can be caliph
Sunnis (85-90% of Muslims) believe any devout Muslim can become caliph
HOLY TEXTS
The Quran-The sacred text of Islam, contains the revelations God made to Muhammad
The Quran is written in Arabic
The Hadith-The reports of the teachings, beliefs, and actions of Muhammad-some more reliable than others
WORSHIP
A Muslim house of worship is called a mosque
Muezzin-a mosque official who leads prayers
Many mosques are led by imams-community/religious leaders
OTHER KEY BELIEFS
There is one God. His wishes are carried out by angels
All are equal within the ummah, or community of believers
God has spoken through prophets and handed down holy books-Muhammad and the Quran are the last
A day of judgment will come
Many Muslims do not drink alcohol, use drugs, or eat pork
Sharia-A body of religious law used to govern
Jihad-Struggle
HOLY PLACES IN ISLAM
1. Mecca-Home of Masjid al-Haram (the sacred mosque) and the Kaaba
2. Medina-Where Muhammad took refuge
3. Jerusalem-Where Muhammad ascended to heaven
