Islamic Religion

What is Islam?

• Second largest religion in the world– 1.2 Billion Muslims (20% of earth population)

• Began in modern day Saudi Arabia

• Based on beliefs on Jews & Christians– Abraham is first important figure– Belief in the same, single God

• Follows the teachings of the prophet Muhammad

What is the Qur’an?• Holy Book of Islam

• Revealed to Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel

• Contains the words of Allah.

• Ideally, it should be read and printed in Arabic only.

• Contains parts of the Torah and Bible

Who is Muhammad?

• A prophet of God, but not a god himself– He is not worshipped

• Born in Saudi Arabia, in city of Mecca

• A trader until age 40, when Qur’an revealed to him.

• His teachings are the foundation of Islam.

Who is Muhammad?• Claimed to travel with Angles to Jerusalem one night

– Given tour of Heaven and Hell– Temple built over the site where he went to heaven.

• He and his followers make polytheists in Mecca angry, move to Medina. (hijra)

• After a decade, he invades Mecca.

• Later, he leads some battles himself to “defend the faith.”

• Dies in Medina at age 63– No male sons– Only one daughter

Basic Islamic Beliefs

1. One unique god, without a partner or son.

1. Belief in God’s revealed books: - Torah, Bible, Qur’an

2. Belief in all Gods prophets: - Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad

3. A final day of judgment.

4. Belief in the angels of God.

Other Beliefs

• Islam Emphasizes:– Tolerance, Humility, Justice, generosity,

obedience to law, and courage.

• Islam Forbids the consumption of:– Pork (pigs believed to be unclean)

– Alcohol

The Five Pillars of Islam

• Muhammad said five pillars held up the building of Islam:

1. Testimony of Faith- “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.”

2. Prayer: - 5 times a day

3. Charity:- 2.5% of Muslim income goes to the needy, mosques, etc

4. Fasting- During Ramadan, no eating during the day

5. Hajj:- Travel to Mecca at least once, if physically/financially able.

The Hajj• The Fifth Pillar of Islam

– Pilgrimage to Mecca

• 3-6 days of rituals and prayer

• Focus is on the Ka'ba, the holiest shrine and supposed first house of mankind.

• Pilgrims are called “hajji”– Not to be used as a derogatory word– Women may not go without men.

Sects of Islam• Two Major Sects:

– Sunni– Shi’a (Shiite)

• Sunni– approx 90% of Muslims– Believe successors to Muhammad should be chosen by the community– Do not believe in intermediary (middle-man) between Allah and people.

• Shi’a (Shiite)– approx 10% of Muslims– Think Muhammad’s successor should be his relatives– Believe in an intermediary called an Imam– Those with religious authority should rule govn’t too.

Successors of Muhammad

• Abu Bakr is chosen as Caliph– Bakr’s advisor becomes caliph later.

• To avoid civil wars of succession, each diverted attention by invading neighboring, non-Muslim nations.

• Weak Persian and Byzantine empires made conquest easy.

Spread of Islam

Spread of Islam

• Islam spreads despite major geographic barriers including mountains and deserts.

• Is at first spread along the major trade routes to Mecca and Medina.

• Arabic language facilitated trade and intellectual activities.– Arabic was the language of the Koran– Therefore, all Muslims could communicate in Arabic.– Traders thus spread the religion and other ideas as they traded.

Arabs as Conquerors• Tolerant of conquered people.

• Conquered people had three choices:1. Convert to Islam2. Don’t convert, pay annual tribute

* Non-Muslims could not be in government3. Refusal of both meant death

• Muslims conquer major cities of Jerusalem and Damascus.

• Muslim invasion into Europe stopped at battle of Tours when Franks defeat the Moors of Spain.

• In less than 100 years, Muslim/Arab empire spread from India to Spain.

Spread of Islam

The Crusades

• Muslims called Seljuk Turks invade Byzantium.

• Westerners try to “recapture” the Constantinople and other “Holy Lands.”

• Seljuk Turks defeated.

• Crusades spread Arab ideas, culture, and art to Western Europe.

• 200 years later, the Ottoman Turks finally defeat Byzantine Empire in 1453 AD.

Little Political Unity

• Despite a common language and religion, political unity if the first Muslim Empire was short-lived.– People fought over who should be Caliph– Sunni / Shi’a split

• Eventually the Muslim world split into three caliphates (areas).– Capitals at Cordova (Spain), Cairo (Egypt), and

Baghdad.– Each had its own caliph.