Islam the Prophet Muhammad Founder Muhammad while meditating

Islam & the Prophet Muhammad

Founder: Muhammad • while meditating in a cave he saw a vision of the angel Gabriel who told him to “proclaim” • Muhammad spent his life spreading the word of Islam

Mecca in 570 AD • It was an agricultural center of the Arab World • Nomad Arabs were called Bedouins • Mecca was ruled by the major clans of the city’s population • Mecca would become the center of Islamic faith

Islam – “To Submit” • Born in the Arabian Desert • The Prophet is Muhammad • The Quran was “given” to Muhammad by Allah – Similar stories to Bible • Values: – Honor parents – Protect orphans and widows – Generosity – No gambling, drinking, or eating pork • Laws do not separate church and state – Based on Quran and Hadith (Muhammad’s sayings) – Covers marriage, divorce, family, Kaaba–Islam’s property, and business holiest Shrine

Where? • Arabian Peninsula—this was a crossroads for trade • Important cities are Mecca and Medina

Hijra • In 622 Muhammad fled Mecca and went to Medina—here he found many supporters • 622 became the 1 st year of the Muslim calendar

Basic Beliefs • Monotheistic • One, all powerful, compassionate God • Allah is the Arabic word for God

Five Pillars of Islam Dome of the Rock • Declaration of Faith • Prayer (5 x a day) • Fasting (Ramadan) • Charity • Pilgrimage Built upon the site where Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice Muhammad rose to heaven to learn of God’s will

Sacred Book • Quran (also spelled Koran) • Says that each person is responsible for their actions • Each person will stand before God and be judged and will either go to heaven or hell • The Quran is the final authority on all matters stresses honesty, social justice, and generosity • There is no separation between the “church” and state

Islamic Terms • Muezzin- Crier • Minaret- slender tower from which prayers are called. • Mosque-house of prayer • Imam-prayer leader(Shia) • Hajj-pilgrimmage to Mecca • Shari’ah-Islamic law (combo) • Jihad-holy struggle

Sharia • Body of law that interpreted the Quran and applied its teachings to daily life • Regulates moral conduct, family life, business practices, gov’t, and community • Does not separate religious matters from criminal or civil law religion and gov’t are connected

“People of the Book” • Muslims, Jews and Christians all believe in the same God 3 Branches of Islam • Sunni (86% of Muslims) • Shi’ites • Sufi

Cultural and Scientific Advancements • • • Arabic alphabet/language Arabic numbers Universities Algebra Medicine Expansion of geographic knowledge