IslamAn Abrahamic Religion

IslamAn Abrahamic Religion Muslims are monotheists.

They believe in the Judeo- Christian God, which they call Allah.

Muslims believe that the Torah and the Bible, like the Qur’an, is the word of God.

Jews, Christians and Muslims are ”Peoples of the Book””Peoples of the Book”

Abraham’s GenealogyAbraham’s Genealogy

ABRAHAMABRAHAM SARAHSARAHHAGARHAGAR

IsaacIsaac

EsauEsauJacobJacob

12 Tribes of Israel

12 Tribes of Israel

Ishmael

Ishmael

12 Arabian Tribes

12 Arabian Tribes

The Prophetic Tradition

The Prophetic TraditionAdam

Noah

Abraham

Moses

Jesus

Muhammad

The Origins of the Qur’an

The Origins of the Qur’an Muhammad’s first revelation

from an angel in 610. 622 Hijrah Muhammed flees Mecca for Medina. *The beginning of the Muslim calendar (Year 1)

Muhammad’s revelations became the Qur’an (Koran) after his death.

The Qur’anThe Qur’an Muslims believe it contains the word of God.

Written in Arabic.

1. The Shahada1. The Shahada

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The declaration of faith:

There is no god except God, There is no god except God, and Muhammad is Hisand Muhammad is HisProphet.Prophet.

There is no god except God, There is no god except God, and Muhammad is Hisand Muhammad is HisProphet.Prophet.

2. The Salat2. The Salat

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The mandatory prayers 5 times a day: * dawn * noon * late afternoon * sunset * before going to bed

Face Mecca and use a prayer rug.

3. The Zakat3. The Zakat

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Charitable donations.

About 2.5% of your income.

4. The Sawm4. The Sawm

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Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.

A method of self-purification.

No eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.

5. The Hajj5. The Hajj

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The pilgrimage to Mecca.

Must be done at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime.

2-3 million Muslims make the pilgrimage every year.

5. The Hajj5. The Hajj

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Those who complete the pilgrimage can add the title hajji to their name.

The Dar al-Islam

The Dar al-Islam

11 22 33 44 55

The WorldThe Worldof Islamof Islam

The WorldThe Worldof Islamof Islam

Unifying sourceCompare to European Catholicism

Other Islamic Religious Practices

Other Islamic Religious Practices

Up to four wives allowed at once.

No alcohol or pork.

No gambling.

Sharia body of Islamic law to regulate daily living.

Three holiest cities in Islam: * Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem.

The Dome of the Rock Mosque in

Jerusalem

The Dome of the Rock Mosque in

Jerusalem

Mount Moriah Rockwhere Muhammad ascended into heaven.

Quiz Bonus Question:

Quiz Bonus Question:Why was Islam

able to spread so quickly and

convert so many people to the new religion?

As we continue, think about which reasons seem more important to you and why.

The Spread of IslamThe Spread of Islam Easy to learn and practice.

No priests.

Teaches equality.

Non-Muslims, who were “Peoples of the Book,” were allowed religious freedom, but paid additional taxes.

Easily “portable” nomads & trade routes.

Jihad (“Struggle”) against pagans and other non-believers (“infidels”).

Problem:Problem:

• No successor to MuhammadNo successor to Muhammad

• They will choose a “Caliph” – They will choose a “Caliph” – Political and religious leader, Political and religious leader, successor to Muhammadsuccessor to Muhammad

SunniSunni• Muhammad left no Muhammad left no

successorsuccessor• Felt caliph should Felt caliph should

be chosen by be chosen by Muslim leadersMuslim leaders

• One is appointed One is appointed from among peersfrom among peers

• Abu Bakr—Abu Bakr—Friend Friend of Muhammadof Muhammad

ShiaShia• Muhammad left a Muhammad left a

chosen successorchosen successor• Felt only true Felt only true

successors were successors were blood descendents blood descendents of Muhammadof Muhammad

• AliAli—Son-in-law, —Son-in-law, cousin of cousin of MuhammadMuhammad

Abu BakrAbu Bakr• SunniSunni• Leader of Umayyads Leader of Umayyads • Proclaimed CaliphProclaimed Caliph

AliAli• ShiiteShiite• Appointed new CaliphAppointed new Caliph

Ali is murderedAli is murdered

UmayyadUmayyadDynastyDynasty

First Three CaliphsFirst Three Caliphs

Abu BakrAbu Bakr

• Expands the faithExpands the faith

UmarUmar

• Brought Jerusalem under controlBrought Jerusalem under control

UthmanUthman

• Murdered—Causes great conflict!!!Murdered—Causes great conflict!!!

Capital moved to Damascus, SyriaCapital moved to Damascus, Syria

Decline and FallDecline and Fall

• Leaders abandon simple lifestyleLeaders abandon simple lifestyle• Many Muslims dissatisfiedMany Muslims dissatisfied

Abbas – Leader of dissatisfied MuslimsAbbas – Leader of dissatisfied Muslims• Allies with ShiitesAllies with Shiites• Revolt against DamascusRevolt against Damascus• Reconciliation BanquetReconciliation Banquet

– Slaughtered UmayyadsSlaughtered Umayyads

AbbasidAbbasid750-1258750-1258

Move to BaghdadMove to Baghdad

• New capital, ideal locationNew capital, ideal location– Close to PersianClose to Persian

capitalcapital

– Spectacular citySpectacular city

– Economic andEconomic andacademic centeracademic centerof Muslim worldof Muslim world

Courtly ExcessesCourtly Excesses

• Untouchable rulersUntouchable rulers

– The “Shadow of God on Earth”The “Shadow of God on Earth”

• Life of luxuryLife of luxury

• Caliph Harun al-Rashid 786-809Caliph Harun al-Rashid 786-809

– ““Golden Age of Muslims”Golden Age of Muslims”• Learning, trade, and governmentLearning, trade, and government

• Civil war after Rashid’s deathCivil war after Rashid’s death