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Basic Tenets of Islam What is Islam and how is it related to Judaism and Christianity? Islam = “peace,” “submission” Muslim = “submitter” Abraham’s two sons: Isaac the Hebrews (Judaism Christianity) Ishmael the Arabs (Islam) Islam respects the two earlier Abrahamic religions as “Peoples of the Book” “The People of the Book” Judaism, Christianity, & Islam share the same God, the God of Abraham: Yahweh = God = Allah! Who was Muhammad? b. 570 CE, d. 632 CE Prophet/founder; human, not divine Lived in Arabia, near Mecca Orphaned by age 6, raised by grandfather and uncle Worked as a caravan driver for a wealthy woman – Khadija – 15 years his senior Age 25: accepted offer to marry Khadija Sired six children; only one daughter – Fatimah – had children of her own Age 40: Revelation begins Arabia Mecca Mecca was the center of a booming pilgrimage industry, with much of the local economy reliant on worshippers traveling to the city to pray to the gods at a religious shrine known as the Ka’aba When Muhammad began teaching against those gods in favor of Allah, or the one true God, local leaders began to see him as a threat The Hijra (Hegira) Muhammad and his followers were forced to flee from Mecca to the town of Yathrib (Medina) in 622 AD to avoid assassination and religious persecution The Development of Islam Early persecution by Meccans Year 619: wife and uncle both die Year 622: Hijrah - migration to Yathrib (Medina = “City of the Prophet”) (year 1 AH) Success in Medina, defense against Meccan attacks Year 630: Reclaiming of Mecca Year 632: first Muslim pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca, led by Muhammad who died a few months later, having united the Arab tribes under the banner of Islam Within 100 years, spread east toward India and west into north Africa and Spain The Death of Muhammad Died in 632, just months after delivering his “Farewell Sermon” Buried in Medina Tomb next to him remains empty, awaiting the return of the prophet Jesus What do Muslims Believe? One God (Allah) Spiritual beings: Prophets & Messengers: Angels, Jinn and the Devil (“Iblis,” “Shaitan”) Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, Muhammad… Holy Books: Torah, Psalms, Gospels, Qur’an Decrements (destiny) – Inshallah (“if God wills”) End Times (eschatology) Resurrection, Judgment day, Heaven & Hell What is the Qur’an? Holy book of Islam Revealed to Muhammad by God through angel Gabriel Written piecemeal by scribes during or shortly after Muhammad’s life Compiled as a whole about 20 years after Muhammad’s death Comprised of 114 chapters (called surahs) Other Sources: Hadith and Sunnah (stories, sayings, and traditions of Muhammad) Qur’an + Hadith and Sunnah = Shariah (Islamic Law) The Qu’ran (Koran) Islam as a Way of Life Shariah (Islamic Law) Based on Qur’an + Hadith and Sunnah Concerned with preserving human dignity through five principles: preservation of life preservation of progeny (family) preservation of intellect (education) preservation of wealth (property) preservation of religion not just for the individual but for the society The Five Pillars Shahada – Witness: “There is no God but The God (Allah) and Muhammad is the Prophet of God Salat – Prayer, five times every day Zakat – alms giving to the poor and needy Sawm – fasting, sun-up to sun-down during month of Ramadan Hajj – Pilgrimage to Mecca (at least once in a Muslim’s life, if able) The Five Pillars of Islam 1. Shahada Profession of faith “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet” Prohibits images of religious figures Places limitations on the creation of an organized central “church” Should be the first and last things one hears in life 2. Salat Daily prayer 5 times a day at set times (dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, nightfall) Must face in the direction of Mecca Prayer has a specific pattern to how it should be performed Prayer Rug with Compass What is a Mosque? A place for prayer, study, socializing No shoes in prayer hall Women cover head, separate from men Wudu room for ritual cleansing before prayer Minaret for call to prayer (Adhaan) Prayer hall oriented toward Mecca (qibla) Imam (prayer leader) stands in mirahb (niche) Mosque = Muslim house of worship 3. Zakat Give alms to the poor Purifies wealth Creates dependable means of caring for the needy Not as burdensome as the Christian tithe (2.5% vs. 10%), does not go to the “church” but to the needy! 4. Siyam (Sawm) Fast (no food, drink, or sex) from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan Renews spirit, brings one closer to Allah Teaches self-discipline, sense of community Not required for certain groups (children, pregnant or nursing women, the ill) 5. Hajj A pilgrimage to Mecca Should be undertaken at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime May be excused if it is unaffordable or if the Muslim is not physically capable The Ka’aba Older than Islam Supposedly first built by Abraham Eastern corner houses “the Black Stone” Covered in black silk with gold Shahada Entrance to interior is strictly limited Prohibitions Halal (permissible) and Haram (prohibited) No eating of pork (other dietary regulations = halal) No gambling No intoxicants No fornication (homosexuality, adultery, prostitution, etc.) No usury (charging or paying interest on loans) (the rich shall not profit from helping the poor) Who are Muslims? More than one billion Muslims in the world today Two major groups: Sunni: 80% in many locations throughout the world Shi’ite: 15%, mostly in Iran Difference is political, basic beliefs and practices are the same Sufis are Muslim mystics, come from both Sunni and Shi’ite backgrounds Most Muslims are not Arab and not all Arabs are Muslim Islam broke into two major branches: Sunnis & Shiites Sunni v. Shia Sunnis … Believe that any devout Muslim can be the spiritual leader of the Islamic people Almost 90% of modern Muslims Shiites … Believe that only a descendant of Muhammad is qualified to be the spiritual leader of Islam Less than 10%, mostly in Iran