IslamSydney Nazloo

Block 2

March 4th, 2013

Origins of Islam

Islam was founded by the prophet Muhammad.

It is said to have began when Muhammad was called to preach by Allah in a dream on “The Night of Power”.

The prophet Muhammad(Beginnings)

The Prophet Muhammad

Muhammad is regarded as the founder of Islam.

He was born in Mecca 570.

Muhammad was orphaned at a young age and raised by his uncle.

It is said that at the age of 40, Allah spoke to Muhammad in a dream. Allah continued to speak to him for 23 years and these became the Muslim holy text, the Quran.

Muhammad began preaching the Quran to his followers until his death at the age of 63.

(Who Is the Prophet Muhammad?)

Major Tenents

The basic beliefs of Islam are:

• The oneness of Allah- there is one god, Allah

• Belief is Allah’s prophets- Allah’s word was given to many prophets in history including Muhammad, Jesus, and Moses.

• Belief in angels- angels do the will of Allah

• Belief in sacred books- believe in the Quran, the Torah, the Gospels, and others

• Judgment Day and Resurrection- when a person dies, their actions during their life determines their fate

• Five Pillars

(What Muslims Believe)An Islamic angel speaks to Muhammad

The Five Pillars of IslamThe Five Pillars of Islam are the fundamental practices of all Muslims.

1. Declaration of Faith- called shahada, it is repeated daily at prayers and when a person becomes Muslim. “There is no god but God and Muhammad is his messenger.”

2. Prayer- Muslims pray five times a day; at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and before bed. Prayer can be alone or in a group and many go to Mosque on the Sabbath, Friday, for noon prayers.

3. Giving charity- called zakat, Muslims must give to the less fortunate. They give 2.5% of their annual savings.

(What Muslims Believe)A group of Muslims praying at the Taj Mahal

The Five Pillars continued

4. Fasting during Ramadan- during Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims abstain from food, water, sex, cigarettes, gossip, and other negative activities. The first Revelation was given to Muhammad during Ramadan.

5. Pilgrimage- called hajj, if able, all Muslims must go to Mecca, Saudi Arabia at least once in their lifetime. They must go to the Kaaba, which is believed to be the first house of worship to Allah.

(What Muslims Believe)

Sacred Texts

The Quran The most sacred text

The literal word of Allah

Revealed to Muhammad during his life

The Hadith Second most sacred text

Sayings of Muhammad and of his followers

Islam has two major holy books. They are both the basis for Islamic practice and Sharia law.

(Islamic Sacred Texts)

Rise of an Islamic Afghan Government

The Soviet Union occupied Afghanistan for some time until they were driven out by a militant Islamic group called the Mujahedeen. (Devichand)

Even after the Soviets left, the Mujahedeen continued to fight the communists left in power. (Devichand)

Their goal was to create an Islamic state. This goal was not met even when the Mujahedeen took Kabul. A long civil war between two sects of Islam broke out. From this war, a radical-Islamic leader named Osama Bin Laden. (Devichand)

The Taliban, an extremist Islamic group, ruled Afghanistan until their fall in 2001.

Rise of an Islamic Afghan Government continued

The current Afghan government is considered an Islamic Republic (World Factbook)

Afghanistan's constitution incorporates Islamic teachings as well as civil and customary law. (World Factbook) Afghan president; Hamid Karzai

Islam in Afghan Society The population of Afghanistan is 99% Muslim. (World

Factbook)

80% Sunni Muslim, 19% Shia Muslim (World Factbook)

Influence on Dress

Men wear traditional Muslim turbans and robes

Women wear long dresses and head coverings such as the burqa, abaya, and hijab.

(The Culture of Afghanistan)

Various kinds of Islamic women’s head coverings

Islam in Afghan Society continued

Shia Muslims are the minority in Afghanistan and face discrimination and an economic disadvantage (Afghanistan: Society)

Works Cited

"Afghanistan: SOCIETY." Afghanistan: SOCIETY. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2013.

"Beginnings." Patheos.com. Patheos, n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.

"The Culture of Afghanistan." Culture. Hilalplaza.com, n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2013.

Devichand, Mukul. "How Islam Got Political: Afghanistan." BBC News. BBC, 11 Oct. 2005. Web. 03 Mar. 2013.

"Islamic Sacred Texts." Sacred Texts of Islam: Quran and Hadith. Religion Facts, 17 Mar. 2004. Web. 02 Mar. 2013.

"What Muslims Believe." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 02 Mar. 2013.

"Who Is the Prophet Muhammad?" A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam. Islam Guide, n.d. Web. 02 Mar. 2013.

"World Factbook: Afghanistan." CIA. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 02 Mar. 2013.