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ISLAM
Founder: Muhammad b. 57O - 632 AD
(also Mohammed, Mahomet)
Islam--"submission" (to God)
Practitioners called Muslims (submitters)
Sacred Texts:
The Qur'an (Koran)
The Hadith ("traditions" of Muhammad
and early Muslim leaders)
Historical Background
7th Century Arabia
Barbarism-warring tribes, settling in Mecca,
trade
Paganism--Polytheism and Animism--pantheon of
gods with Allah, the Moon God and his three
daughters at the top, lesser gods, jinn (genies,
nature spirits)
Month of Fasting in the cult of the moon god
Historical Background
Worship at the Kabah ("cube")--square stone
temple in Mecca with 36O idols
Pilgrimage to Mecca
Prayer towards the Kabah in Mecca
Superstition
The Life of Muhammad
Father dies before birth, "spiritualist"
mother
Orphaned at 5, shuffled around, raised by
uncle
Cave exploration
Early vision--insides stirred
Age 25-4O Marries Khadijah, becomes
caravan owner
The Life of Muhammad
Age 4O Prophetic call--"The Night of Power"
Muhammad's visions--temporal lobe epilepsy?
Muhammad's doubt
Demon possession?
Mental illness?
Suicide attempts thwarted by Gabriel
Hira cave - photo by Nacizane
The Life of Muhammad
Flight to Medina (Yathrib)--success
The Satanic Verses: Is it O.K. to worship Allah's
3 daughters?
Caravan Looting and Pillaging
Plundering of the Jews
Defeat by the Meccans, Muhammad nearly killed
at Uhod
The Life of Muhammad
Muhammad regroups, rebuilds
Treaty with Mecca
Conquest of Mecca
The Character of Muhammad
Charisma, diplomatic skills
Social justice concerns
The Character of Muhammad
Temper
Plunder, torture, assassinations, revenge,
severe punishments
Superstition
Sexual appetite
Zaynab
Aesha
Attitude towards women
Muhammad vs. Jesus
The Five Pillars of Islam
1. The Shahadah: "There is no God but Allah,
and Muhammad is his prophet."
2. Salat: Prayer towards Mecca 5x a day
3. Zakat (annual charitable tax on net worth)
4. Sawm: Fasting during Ramadan (Month in
Muslim calendar)--no eating or drinking
5. Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca (at least once)