ISLAM - “to submit”

“There is no god but Allah: Muhammad is the prophet of Allah”

Call to prayer

Muhammad “The Prophet” born @ 570 CE in Mecca raised by an Uncle

– Quraish clan

Hermit: spent time in solitude– prayed in mtn caves– Angel Gabriel appeared to him

“RECITE” became QURAN Ramadan was t/month that Quran was recited to Mu.

Khadija – 1st convert to Islam– Muhammad’s 1st wife– merchant

FIVE PILLARS of ISLAM Proclamation of Faith Prayer five times a day

– facing Mecca

Alms (charity) to the poor & aged Fasting during Ramadan

– Gabriel spoke to Mu– month of Hejira– no food/water btwn sunrise &

sunset

Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca ONCE in a lifetime

KA’ABA

The QURAN Muslim holy book

– sits at the right hand of Allah

exact word of Allah as revealed to Mu. by Angel Gabriel

– God becomes the Word

authority on religion, politics, law, economics & social life

forbidden to translate from Arabic

link btwn all Muslims

Muhammad’s Miracles

Heart cleansed with snow by two angels

ascension to heaven:– Dome o/t Rock

1500 Muslims drank water from one vessel from Mu’s hand

Quranic teachings “people of the book”– Jews & Christians– treat w/ tolerance

be merciful & compassionate repeat 1st Pillar three times in front of male

Muslim to become a Muslim “I divorce you” x3 Paradise or Hell (Judgment Day) SHARIA: Islamic Law Hadith: traditional sayings o/t prophet Inshallah (the will of God)

– Belief in predestination– God controls all that happens

EXPANSION OF ISLAM

Islamic Sects (divisions) Sunni Muslims

– any devout male Muslim can be Caliph– high moral character– majority

Shi’ites (Shiah or Shia)– only descendents of Ali can be Caliph– 12th Imam will return on Judgement

Day– only Imams can guide Muslims to

salvation– minority (except Iran & Iraq)

Sufism: mystical Islam

Mosques

What is a minaret?

What is a muezzin?

Islamic Customs and Laws Follow strict dietary laws-

– HALAL - name of Allah must be mentioned while animal is slaughtered –

– Can’t eat pork Can’t drink alcohol No gambling Can’t kill animals for sport Strict punishments for crimes- In some strongly

Muslim countries there’s little difference between religious laws and country laws. (i.e. Shari’ah)

99 names for God/Allah: http://www.islamicity.com/Mosque/99names.htm

How to pray: http://muslim-canada.org/salaat.html

Women in Islam Men & women are spiritual equals Hijab shows Muslim identity

– recognize intelligence, not sexuality– seen as feminine

Surah 4:3: If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly, then marry only one.

Hadith: “seeking knowledge is mandatory for all Muslims”