The Birth of Islam Pgs 286 291 Muhammad

The Birth of Islam Pgs 286 -291

Muhammad • Born in 570 AD in Mecca • Orphaned at 6, raised by his Uncle – Leader of the Qurayrsh – Very powerful tribe • Worked leading caravans across trade routes. – Known as “Al-Amin” - the honest • Married Khadija – Wealthy widow, had 3 daughters and adopted his cousin Ali as his son.

Muhammad’s Revelation • Praying (mediating) in a cave outside Mecca. • The angel Gabriel appears in a dream. • Gabriel tells Muhammad that he is a prophet. • Revealed that there is no God but Allah. • Started the religion of Islam – people who follow Muhammad were known as Muslim.

The Revelation

Mecca – Holy City • A main trading city • People prayed at the Kaaba – “cube” – Square-shaped temple that holds a sacred black rock and the gods & goddesses of the tribes.

The Religion of Islam • Muhammad wanted people to give up their old gods/goddesses and follow Allah. • Started to teach others about Allah, and people began to follow his ideas. • Meccan tradespeople were angry because they thought that they would lose business. • Criticized their way of life.

Hijra • Meccan leaders were threatening him, Muhammed leaves. • Travels to Medina in 622. • Religious leader in Medina. • The trip from Mecca to Medina (the hijra) starts the Islamic calendar. • Many people started to follow him in Medina.

Return to Mecca • Muhammad returns to Mecca with 10, 000 followers and takes over the city. • Smashes the idols in the Kaaba.

The Death of the Prophet • Muhammad dies in 632 AD after uniting most of Arabia. • His followers wrote down his teachings after his death. – Called the Quran (Koran, Qur’an)

Quran • Holy book of Islam • Contains the revelations of Allah to Muhammad AND • Serves as a guide for living to the Muslims. • Final revelations of Allah.

Five Pillars of Islam • Five duties of every Muslim: – Believe in one God, Allah – Pray five times (facing Mecca) each day – Give to those in need – Fasting during Ramadan – Go on a hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca at least once.

Islam Grows • • • Islam spreads quickly through the Middle East. 5 billion Muslims today Islam varies from country to country. No clergy Ramadan is a month long fast

Mecca

Women in Islam • In the Quran, and in Muhammad’s teachings, women are equal to men. • In daily life, women do not have many rights. • Public life is restrictive. Family life is more open.