The Rise Of Islam

What is Islam?

• The word Islam means voluntary “Submission” or “Surrender” to the Will of God.

• The religion of the Muslims, a monotheistic faith regarded as revealed through Muhammad as the Prophet of Allah.

• Monotheistic refers to the belief by Muslims that there is only one God and His name is Allah.

The Revelation of Islam to Prophet Muhammad

• The revelation of the Qur'an began in the laila al-qadr of Ramadan (one of the odd nights after the 21st till end Ramadan)

• After the Prophet Muhammad had passed the fortieth year of his life (that is around the year 610), during his seclusion in the cave of Hira' on a mountain near Makka.

• The revelations marks the beginning of Islam as a religion.

The Five Pillars of Islam

The 'Five Pillars' of Islam are the foundation of a Muslim’s life:• Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality

of the prophethood of Muhammad (Shahad,Iman);• Establishment of the daily prayers (Salah, Salat);• Concern for and almsgiving to the needy (Zakah);• Self-purification through fasting (Sawm); and• The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able

(Hajj).

Testimony on Faith (Shahada, Iman)

• The declaration that "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His prophet."

Testimony on Prayer (Salah, Salat)• General Features of Islamic Prayer• Five prayer times each day:– early morning– noon– mid-afternoon– sunset– evening

• Raq'ah: Bowing and prostration. Represents submission to God.

• Ablutions, symbolic purification by washing hands, feet, etc. with water (or sand).

• Qiblah, direction for prayer towards Mecca. Designated by Mihrab, niche in the wall.

• Du'a, spontaneous private prayer exists, but is less important than communal worship

Testimony on giving to charity (Zakat, Zakah)

• Originally a free-will donation (what is now called Sadaqah).

• Now largely compulsory.• General rate: 2 1/2% of income annually.• Given only to needy Muslims, or for religious

purposes, etc.

Testimony on Fasting (Sawm)

• In memory of the revelation of the Qur'an.• During month of Ramadan, daylight hours.• Those who have medical exemptions etc.

should fast at another time.• 'Id al-Fitr, Feast of Fast-breaking: at beginning

of next month.

Testimony on the Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)

• Every Muslim man and woman (if physically and economically able) should try to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life-time.

• Egalitarian atmosphere, Ihram:– donning of simple white garments.– Refraining from sex, haircuts, jewelry, arguing, etc.

• Importance of the Ka'ba, associations with Abraham, Hagar Ishmael and Muhammad.

The Spread of Islam

They are a number of factors which explains the spread of Islam, prominent of these were:-• Imperial expansion• Islamic inventions • Islamic brotherhood • Military prowess and • Trade.

Islamic Imperial expansion• The expansion of the Arab empire in the years

following Muhammad's death led to the creation of caliphates.

• The caliphates occupied a vast geographical area and conversion to Islam. Caliphates were territories governed by Islamic law.

• This was boosted by missionary activities particularly those of Sufis. Sufis referred to those who practised Islam. The Sufis easily intermingled with local populace to propagate their religious teachings.

• These early caliphates, coupled with Muslim economics and trading led to the spread of Islam.

• The later expansion of the Ottoman Empire, resulted in Islam's spread outwards from Mecca towards both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the creation of the Muslim world.

Islamic inventions• Islamic inventors produced strong ships and

good navigation instruments.

• This made it possible for trade and exploration voyages by Muslim explorers such as Ibn Battuta from Morocco.

Islamic community/brotherhood• The growth and establishment of an international

Muslim Umaar was one of the major factors in the spread of Islam.

• This was because wherever people accepted Islam there became part of an international community.

• These people had a common religion, Islamic laws and a common Arabic language for their prayers and written documents.

• Islamic rulers emphasized the importance and access to learning for all people.

• This had been a privilege for the elite only in most societies before conquest by the Muslims.

• This made the Islamic rulers and the religion popular.

Islamic military prowess• Islamic military conquest of a place did not

destroy the culture of the people instead ruled in a manner which acknowledged local culture. This way many people were receptive to Islam.

• The strong and fearless Islamic army also played a critical role in the spread of the Islamic empire and religion.

Trade• Trading, therefore played an important role in the spread

of Islam in several parts of the world, notably southeast Asia.

• Enterprising Muslim traders undertook long voyages to different parts of the world and introduced the religion to the places they reached.

• This was largely supported by ships and better navigation equipment produced by Islamic inventors.