IslamIslam

Origin and SpreadOrigin and Spread

The Prophet Prophet MuhammadMuhammad

• Born in the city of Mecca (in Arabia)

• Raised by merchants

• Received God’s revelation during the month of Ramadan

• Muhammad’s monotheism VS Mecca’s polytheism

The Holy Quran

• Muslims believe the Quran is the direct word of God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

• Written and read in Arabic

Mecca and Medina

• 622 CE: The Prophet goes to Medina (the ancient city of Yathrib) and sets up the first Muslim community

• Muhammad’s journey to Medina is called the hijrah

• 622 CE is the start of the Muslim calendar

DEATH OF THE PROPHET

• Muhammad died in 632 and rose into heaven from a rock in Jerusalem.

• Muslims built a mosque on the site called the Dome of the Rock.

• The rock was holy before Muhammad’s ascension into heaven.

• Jews believe the rock is the “Foundation Stone” of Judaism. They believe Abraham prepared the sacrifice of his son Isaac from this site.

The Islamic Caliphate

• After the Prophet’s death caliphs (leaders) controlled the Muslim world.

• Most famous caliphates: the Umayyad dynasty and the Abbasid dynasty.

• Umayyad capital city: Damascus (Syria). Abbasid capital: Baghdad (Iraq).

Spread of Islam

Battle of Tours, 732 ce

• Muslims expand across North Africa, into Spain– Islam threatens to take

over Christian Europe!!!

• Battle of Tours, 732 ce– Charles Martel, king of

the Franks, defeats the Muslims, which stops their expansion into Europe

The Muslim World

• Major groups of Muslims: Sunnis and Shi’ites

• Most Muslims are Sunnis

• Shi’ites are the majority in Iraq and Iran

Sunnis vs. Shi’ites

• Sunnis– The caliph may be elected from

the Muslim community.

• Shi’ites (Shia)– The caliph must be a descendant

of the family of the Prophet.

The Five Pillars of Islam

• Declare the faith: There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.

• Pray daily: Pray 5x each day in the direction of the holy city of Mecca.

• Give charity: Give alms to the poor.• Fast: No food or drink from dawn until

dusk during the holy month of Ramadan.

• Complete the Hajj: Pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.

Hajj

• Muslims make a pilgrimage (journey) called a hajj to visit the Kaaba in Mecca.

• The Kaaba:- Stone from

Heaven- Adam and Eve- Abraham- Ishmael

Sharia law

• Moral, legal code– Governs all aspects of Muslim life– Influences:

• Principles set forth in the Quran• Examples given through the life of

the Prophet

Muslim Architect

ure

Raphael’s School of Athens

Islamic Scholars

hip(Muslim

philosopher, Averroes)