Introduction to Islam

Desert and Town LifeInhabited by Arab nomads

called BEDOUINSOrganized into clans

Provided security and supportBedouin ideals included

courage, loyalty to family, and warrior skills

The city of Mecca was a center of trade Also important for religious

pilgrims The Ka’aba (a shrine with

hundreds of idols to the tribal gods) was located in the city

Muhammad, the ProphetBorn into a powerful

Meccan familyMarried to Khadijah,

wealthy business womanThe angel Gabriel

appeared to him and said he was a messenger of Allah

From then on, Muhammad began to preach the word of Allah

Flight from MeccaMuhammad began to gather followersMuhammad and his followers migrated north

to a city called Medina (originally named Yathrib)This is called the Hijrah, which means “flight”

During this time, Islam gained many followers

Return to MeccaIn 630 C.E. Muhammad

and his followers returned to Mecca

They destroyed the polytheistic idols in the Ka’aba and called the people to prayer from the roof

Many Meccans then converted to Islam

After Muhammad’s death, Islam continued to spread

Beliefs of IslamMain teaching is that there is one God, called

AllahIslam does NOT have a central religious

authorityDoes have a religious scholar class (Ulama)

Holy text is called the Qur’anContains the revelations Gabriel gave to

MuhammadWritten in Arabic

Follow Sunna, which is Muhammad’s example

Sunna and Qur’an assembled into body of law (Shari’a)

The Five Pillars of IslamFive duties that Muslims must complete

PILGRIMAGE

FAITH

PRAYER

ALMS

FASTING

The Five Pillars

There is one God, who is AllahF

AITH

The Five Pillars

PRAYER

Pray 5 times a day, facing Mecca

The Five PillarsThey must fast during the month of Ramadan, from dawn until dusk

FASTING

The Five Pillars

They must make a trip to Mecca, if healthy enough and have enough money to do so

PILGRIMAGE

The Five Pillars

They must give money to the poor

ALMS

The Mosque• The mosque is the center of the Islamic

community• While daily prayers can be performed

anywhere, it is required to attend Friday prayers at the mosque

• In most mosques men and women are separated

• The minaret is the tower-like structure used to call Muslims to prayer

The Mosque of the Prophet

The Blue Mosque

Minaret

Call to Prayer

Islam Quick Facts• Place of Worship: Mosque• Holy Day: Friday• Direct Worship – no clergy• Pork is forbidden (considered unclean)• Alcohol is not allowed• Men & women are segregated at Mosque• Jerusalem (Masjid Al Aqsa) is a sacred site• Largest Muslim populated country is

Indonesia

ISLAM Today

Countries with more than 10% Muslim populationGreen=Sunni Red=Shiite

Foldable InstructionsYou will be creating a foldable of the beliefs

of IslamYou will be graded on neatness, content, and

creativityFold your paper in almost in half (leaving an

inch-wide section on the bottom) and cut five flaps

On each of the flaps you will write one of the five pillars and illustrate itOn the inside of the flap, include a description

of the pillarYou will also title your foldable “The Five

Pillars of Islam”