islam the faith. 1. what is this & what does it mean?

ISLAMThe Faith

1. WHAT IS THIS & WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

2. WHAT IS THIS & WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

3. WHAT IS THIS AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

ANSWERS

1. A cross, a symbol of Christianity and of Jesus’s crucifixion.

2. A Star of David, a symbol of Judaism and of the Jewish people.

3. Allah, the word God written in Arabic and a symbol of Islam.

QUESTION 4

Why do we easily recognize symbols of Judaism and Christianity, while we do not so easily recognize symbols of Islam?

ISLAM-BACKGROUND

The Arabian Peninsula was sandwiched between the Byzantine and Sassanid Empires

Inhabited by Bedouins, nomadic herders who traversed the Arabian Desert

The Bedouins were mainly polytheistic, but were aware of monotheists like Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians

ISLAM-BACKGROUND

Each year, Bedouins made a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca, home of the Black Stone-a shrine to their gods in the Kaaba (cube)

The Quraysh tribe, descendants of Ishmael, were wealthy merchants who controlled the pilgrimage trade

MUHAMMAD

Muhammad ibn Abdallah, born 570 BCE in Mecca

Father died before he was born, his mother shortly after, his grandfather when he was a young child-raised by an uncle

Born into the Quraysh tribe, met Jews, Christians, and Hanifs-another monotheistic group

REVELATION

Muhammad would spend time praying in a cave in Mt. Hira

The angel Gabriel appeared to Muhammad

Revealed that there is one God, the God of Abraham, and Muhammad was to be his greatest and final prophet

MUHAMMAD AS PROPHET

Muslims see Muhammad as the last in a line of “reformers” of Abrahamic religion

Moses

Jesus (not God or son of God)

Muhammad

ISLAM

Muhammad’s new religion would be called “Islam”-submission to God

Followers of Islam would be called Muslims-servants of God

The first Muslim was Khadija, Muhammad’s wife

THE HIJRA

Muhammad’s revelation angered the leaders of Mecca, including his own family members

He left Mecca in 622-The Hijra, or journey

Muhammad was welcomed in the city of Yathrib, which was renamed Medina-the city of the prophet

BATTLE OF BADR

Muslims began attacking the caravans of Mecca

In the ensuing battle, the Muslims were victorious and many of Mecca’s leaders were killed

Legitimized Muhammad as both a spiritual and political leader

An attack by Mecca on Medina called the Battle of the Trench was unsuccessful

RETURN TO MECCA

In 629, Muhammad returns to Mecca with 10,000 followers, peacefully takes over the city

Removes the idols from the Kaaba and prays there

Islam begins to spread, Muhammad is looked at as a leader

THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

To become a Muslim, one must accept the Five Pillars of Islam

Shahada-The Testimony

Salat-Prayer

Sawm-Fasting

Zakat-Almsgiving

Hajj-Pilgramage

SHAHADA

A declaration of the faith of Islam

“There is no God but God (Allah) and Muhammad is His prophet.”

SALAT

Muslims perform five prayers daily

They face Mecca while they pray

SAWM

Muslims fast during daylight hours during the holy month of Ramadan

ZAKAT

Muslims are expected to give 2.5% of their income to the needy

HAJJ

If possible, Muslims are expected to visit the Kaaba in Mecca once during their lifetimes

DIVISIONS IN ISLAM

After Muhammad’s death, controversy arose over who should become caliph (successor)

The caliph was both a political and religious leader

Shi’ites (10-15% of Muslims) believe only descendants of Muhammad’s cousin Ali can be caliph

Sunnis (85-90% of Muslims) believe any devout Muslim can become caliph

HOLY TEXTS

The Quran-The sacred text of Islam, contains the revelations God made to Muhammad

The Quran is written in Arabic

The Hadith-The reports of the teachings, beliefs, and actions of Muhammad-some more reliable than others

WORSHIP

A Muslim house of worship is called a mosque

Muezzin-a mosque official who leads prayers

Many mosques are led by imams-community/religious leaders

OTHER KEY BELIEFS

There is one God. His wishes are carried out by angels

All are equal within the ummah, or community of believers

God has spoken through prophets and handed down holy books-Muhammad and the Quran are the last

A day of judgment will come

Many Muslims do not drink alcohol, use drugs, or eat pork

Sharia-A body of religious law used to govern

Jihad-Struggle

HOLY PLACES IN ISLAM

1. Mecca-Home of Masjid al-Haram (the sacred mosque) and the Kaaba

2. Medina-Where Muhammad took refuge

3. Jerusalem-Where Muhammad ascended to heaven