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Islam
The Origins of Islam
Preview
• Starting Points Map: Arabia
• Main Idea / Reading Focus
• The Arabian Peninsula
• Muhammad the Messenger
• Map: Islam in Arabia
• Basic Ideas of Islam
Islam
Do Now
When did Islam really start to grow?
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Islam
The Origins of Islam
Main Idea
Muhammad, a merchant whom Muslims believe was the last
prophet, reported that he received messages from God. The
religion he taught—Islam—drew many followers.
Focus
• What was Arabia like at the time of Muhammad’s birth?
• What were Muhammad’s messages, and how were they
received?
• What are some basic ideas of Islam?
Islam
The Arabian Peninsula
Arabia was sparsely populated 1,500 years ago. Small bands of
bedouins moved their herds between scattered oases in the desert.
The Setting
• Farming limited in Arabia
• Commerce lively
– Trade routes converged at
Arabian Peninsula
– Ideas as well as merchandise
exchanged
– Trade-dependent towns rose
near coasts
• Mecca, near Red Sea, most
important of coastal towns
Religious Function
• The Kaaba, cube-shaped
structure, at heart of Mecca
• 500s, already ancient,
considered sacred
• Possible meteorite built into
one wall, “relic from heaven”
• Idols of local gods inside
• Site drew religious pilgrims
• One god considered supreme:
Allah
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Muhammad the Messenger
Early Life
• Muhammad ibn Abd Allah born 570
• Parents died, Muhammad raised
by uncle, powerful clan leader
• Grew up to have successful career
in Mecca as merchant
• Married to older woman at age 25,
fathered seven children, all but one
of whom died young
• Met followers of Judaism,
Christianity while traveling on
business
Muhammad’s Faith
• Had always been religious man,
but faiths of others probably also
influenced Muhammad’s thinking
• Took frequent spiritual retreats
• Angel appeared to him during
retreat, commanded him to speak
messages from Allah
• Muhammad disturbed by visitation,
unsure of meaning
• After more visits from angel,
Muhammad concluded God had
chosen him to be prophet
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The Revelations
Messages
• Among many messages from angel, Muhammad reported Allah one and
only true and all-powerful God
• Other messages, instructions on how to live to please Allah, live in paradise
Public Preaching
• Muhammad originally told only wife, few friends about experiences
• Began to preach in public after about three years, attracted many followers
• Some powerful Meccans did not accept teachings
Safety
• Many disliked Muhammad’s criticism of traditional beliefs in many gods
• Only protection of uncle kept him safe
• After uncle’s death Muhammad knew he and followers not safe in Mecca
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Sharing the Revelations
Hegira
• 622, Muhammad moved to Yathrib, came to be called Medina, “the Prophet’s
City”; journey from Mecca to Medina came to be known as hegira
• Later Muslims marked year of hegira as first year of Islamic calendar
Building Faith
• Muhammad spent decade building community of fellow believers
• Called faith Islam, meaning “achieving peace through submission to God”
• Followers known as Muslims
Mecca
• People of Mecca who wanted Muhammad stopped did not give up
• Fought several battles with Muhammad, followers, ultimately lost ground
• 630, Muhammad controlled Mecca, influence unmatched
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Sequence
What events led up to Muhammad’s taking
control of Mecca?
Answer(s): Muhammad moved to Medina,
number of followers grew; Meccans fought him
and his followers but lost
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Basic Ideas of Islam
• As Muhammad gained political power, revelations continued
• Muhammad could not read, write; recited revelations
• Followers memorized words, some wrote them down
• The writings that Muslims believe as direct revelations from God are
collected in Qur’an, (aka Koran, Quran) sacred test of Islam
Qur’an
• Muslims read from Qur’an to hear
Allah’s teachings
• Seek religious experience in
rhythm, beauty of words
• Full meaning known only in original
Arabic language
• Translations not true representation
Five Pillars of Islam
• Five basic acts of worship central to
Islam, Five Pillars of Islam
• Profession of faith; BELIEF
• Performance of five daily prayers;
PRAYER
• Giving to the poor, needy;
CHARITY
• FASTING during month of
Ramadan
• Make PILGRIMAGE to Mecca
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Five Pillars of Islam
Profession of Faith - belief
• “There is no god but God…”
• By affirmation, Muslim signals
acceptance of the faith
• Denies existence of other gods,
accepts Muhammad as prophet
Giving Alms to Poor, Needy
- charity
Five Daily Prayers - prayer
• Worshippers say daily prayers
five times during day
• Always face Mecca to pray, no
matter where they are
Fasting During Ramadan fasting
• Muslims supposed to give
percentage of income to charity
• Muslims required to go without
food, drink, dawn to dusk
• Even those with little encouraged
to help others
• Ramadan when Muhammad
began to report messages written
down in Qur’an
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Mecca
Pilgrimage to Mecca
• Muslims physically, financially able required to go to
Mecca
• Journey called the hajj
– Gather to pray in mosque
– Perform various rituals, walk seven times around Kaaba
– Climb Mount Arafat, site of Muhammad’s last sermon
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Guidelines for Behavior
• Qur’an provides guidelines for moral behavior
• Muslims may not eat pork, drink alcohol, must wash before praying
• Qur’an prohibits murder, lying, stealing
• Requires jihad, to defend Muslim community, also means “holy war”
Sunna and Sharia
• Record of Muhammad’s behavior, teachings known as Sunna,
“tradition,” provides guidance in personal relationships, business
• Muslim legal system known as Sharia, reflects various rules by which
Muslims should live, outlines method of reasoning, argument for legal
cases, made up of opinions, writings over several centuries
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People of the Book
• Islam monotheistic like Jewish, Christian faiths
• Islamic beliefs:
– Allah the same as God in Jewish, Christian traditions
– Abraham, Moses, Jesus messengers from God
– Muhammad, last of God’s prophets
– Qur’an represents God’s final message
– Muslims told to respect Jews, Christians as “people of the
book;” share tradition of prophets who taught, received God’s
revelations
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Summarize
What are the acts of worship required of all
Muslims?
Answer(s): The Five Pillars of Islam—profession
of faith, five daily prayers, giving of alms, fasting
during Ramadan, and the hajj
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Kaaba in Mecca
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Circle 7 times…kiss the rock
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Inside the Kaaba