Download Islamic Civilization Develops

Islamic Civilization Develops
Features of Islam
Founder: Muhammed
Holy Book: Qur’an (earlier spelling: Koran) written in Arabic, a language sacred to
Muslims because Muhammed’s revelations were written in Arabic)
Beliefs:
 Monotheism (belief in one God, whose name is Allah, meaning “the One”)
 Muhammed is the last prophet from Allah
 Five Pillars of Islam (duties that Muslims must perform)
 All people are equal before God and people should cooperate to carry out God’s
will.
Five Pillars of Islam:
 Shahadah: Declare a belief in one God, Allah, and in Muhammed as His prophet.
to say publicly “La ilaha illal lanu muhammadur rasalul lan,” or “There is no God
but Allah and Muhammed is his prophet.”
 Salah: prayer, 5 times/day facing the holy city of Mecca
 Zakat: charity/alms (gifts to the poor)
 Sawm: fasting (not eating/drinking) during daylight hours of holy month of
Ramadan
 Haj: pilgrimage to holy city of Mecca, to be made at least once during one’s
lifetime
Passages From the Qur’an:
“Be just: the unjust never prosper. Be valiant: die rather than yield. Be merciful:
slay neither old men, children, nor women. Destroy neither fruit trees, grain, nor cattle.
Keep your word even to your enemies.
“The law requires: sincerity to God, severity to self, justice to all people, service
to elders. Kindness to the young, generosity to the poor. Good counsel to friends.
Forbearance with enemies. Indifference to fools. Respect to the learned.”
Muhammad on the Treatment of Converts:
“If you do well and obey God and His apostle and perform prayer, and pay alms,
and God’s fifth of booty and the apostle’s share … and the poor tax … This is what God
has laid upon the believers. Anyone who does more it is to his merit … If a Jew or a
Christian becomes a Muslim he is a believer with his rights and obligations. He who
holds fast to his religion, Jew or Christian, is not to be turned from it. He must pay the
poll tax … one full dinar … He who pays that to God’s apostle has the guarantee of God
and His apostle, and he who withholds it is the enemy of God and His apostle.”