Transcript Document 7154614

IslamAn Abrahamic
Religion
 Muslims are monotheists.

They believe in the JudeoChristian 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”
Abraham’s Genealogy
HAGAR
ABRAHAM
Ishmael
SARAH
Isaac
12 Arabian Tribes
Jacob
Esau
12 Tribes of Israel
The Prophetic Tradition
Adam
Noah
Abraham
Moses
Jesus
Muhammad
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’an
 Muslims believe it contains the
word of God.
Written
in Arabic.
1. The Shahada
The
declaration of faith:
There is no god except God,
and Muhammad is His
Prophet.
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2. The Salat
 The mandatory prayers 5 times a
day:
Face
*
*
*
*
*
dawn
noon
late afternoon
sunset
before going to bed
Mecca and use a prayer rug.
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3. The Zakat

Charitable donations.
About
2.5% of your income.
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4. The Sawm
 Fasting during the holy month
of Ramadan.
A

method of self-purification.
No eating or drinking from
sunrise to sunset during
Ramadan.
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5. The Hajj
 The pilgrimage to Mecca.

Must be done at least once in a
Muslim’s lifetime.

2-3 million Muslims make the
pilgrimage
every
year.
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5. The Hajj
 Those who complete the
pilgrimage can add the title
hajji to their name.
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The Dar al-Islam
Unifying source
Compare to European Catholicism
The World
of Islam
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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
Mount Moriah Rock
where Muhammad ascended into heaven.
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 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:
• No successor to Muhammad
• They will choose a “Caliph” –
Political and religious leader,
successor to Muhammad
•
•
•
•
Sunni
Muhammad left no
successor
Felt caliph should
be chosen by
Muslim leaders
One is appointed
from among peers
Abu Bakr—Friend
of Muhammad
Shia
• Muhammad left a
chosen successor
• Felt only true
successors were
blood descendents
of Muhammad
• Ali—Son-in-law,
cousin of
Muhammad
Abu Bakr
• Sunni
• Leader of Umayyads
• Proclaimed Caliph
Ali
• Shiite
• Appointed new Caliph
Ali is murdered
Umayyad
Dynasty
First Three Caliphs
Capital moved to Damascus, Syria
Abu Bakr
• Expands the faith
Umar
• Brought Jerusalem under control
Uthman
• Murdered—Causes great conflict!!!
Decline and Fall
• Leaders abandon simple lifestyle
• Many Muslims dissatisfied
Abbas – Leader of dissatisfied Muslims
• Allies with Shiites
• Revolt against Damascus
• Reconciliation Banquet
– Slaughtered Umayyads
Abbasid
750-1258
Move to Baghdad
• New capital, ideal location
– Close to Persian
capital
– Spectacular city
– Economic and
academic center
of Muslim world
Courtly Excesses
• Untouchable rulers
– The “Shadow of God on Earth”
• Life of luxury
• Caliph Harun al-Rashid 786-809
– “Golden Age of Muslims”
• Learning, trade, and government
• Civil war after Rashid’s death