Islam Who Founder Muhammad while meditating in a

Islam • Who? • 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

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

Caliph • A caliph is a successor to Muhammad

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

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

The Five Pillars • The 5 Pillars are duties: – 1. Declaration of faith – 2. Daily prayer facing the city of Mecca – 3. Charity to the poor – 4. Fasting from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan – Hajj—pilgrimage to Mecca – ***a pilgrimage is a holy journey

House of Worship • Mosque

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 Achievements • • • Arabic alphabet/language Arabic numbers Universities Algebra Medicine Expansion of geographic knowledge