Fast Facts• At least 42 nations are almost completely Islamic

Fast Facts• 1 billion Muslims in the world• Only 20% are Arabs

Muhammad• Born in Mecca in 570 AD• Exposed to the caravan business

• Met Jews and Christians• Learned stories from the Old and New Testament

Muhammad • 610 AD, claimed that Gabriel appeared, told him to

“recite”= 1 and only God• 1st alleged revelations from Allah

Muhammad • Msgs attacked idolatry• 622, forced to leave Mecca for Medina

• Hijra= year “0” on the Muslim calendar

Muhammad • 630, return to Mecca in triumph

• Establish Islam as the official religion

• 632, died before appointing a successor• Arguments over the rightful caused the divisions w/in Islam

• Exist today

Division in Islam• Sunnis• True Caliph should be chosen by those close to

Muhammad; didn’t have to be a relative• Most Muslims (85%) are Sunni

Division in Islam• Shi’as (division) believe he appointed Ali, his son-in-law

• “Included in the Qur’an, but secretly burned”

• True Caliph= direct descendant

Division in Islam• Led to internal battles and assassinations• Islam still spread rapidly

• Middle East into Europe

What made Islam so appealing?

• Christians were perceived as prejudiced; Muslims weren’t• Simple religion• Profitable to convert for business purposes

Qur’an

• “Book of heaven,”• supposedly dictated to Muhammad by Gabriel

• 114 chapters• little shorter than the NT

• Refers to the Torah, Psalms, and “Gospel”• some biblical stories inaccurate

• People of the Book, go not beyond the bounds in your religion, and say not as to God but the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only the Messenger of God, and His Word that He committed to Mary, and a Spirit from Him. So believe in God and His Messengers, and say not, ‘Three.’ Refrain; better is it for you. God is only One God.”

• Qur’an, chapter 4:168

• Submission• Islam means submission; Muslim is “one who submits.”• Allah-hu-akbar means God is great!

• Muslims confess throughout the day, “There is no God but Allah, Muhammad is His prophet.” (1st pillar)

Concepts in the Qur’an

5 Pillars of Islam• 1. Declaration of Faith• 2. Pray 5 times daily, facing Mecca• 3. 2.5% of income to charity/poor• 4. Fasting month of Ramadan• 5. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)

Quick Review• How many Muslims are there and how many are Arabs?

• Explain the Division in Islam.•

What does Islam and Muslim mean?

• What are the 5 Pillars of Islam?

Activity: Movie Trailer• Groups of 4• Life of Muhammad the movie

• Who would you cast for the movie and for which roles?• Who is your target audience? What message are you trying to get

across?• Is this a Drama, Action, Thriller, Comedy?• What would your movie trailer be?