islam
DESCRIPTION
World History Fall 2008TRANSCRIPT
Islam
Muhammad: The Last Prophet
Born in Mecca around 570ADWealthy merchant, but hated the greed of the people
~40 years old heard the voice of Gabriel the Angel
His wife, Khadija, convinces him to be a messenger of God.
From Mecca to MedinaMuhammad is faced with murder
threats and moves to the city of Medina (city of the Prophet)
This happened 622, which is the first year of the Muslim calendar
And back again…The people welcome Muhammad and his teachings
They create communities of MuslimsMuhammad returns to Mecca in 630Once there he destroyed the idols in the Kaaba and rededicated it to Islam
Muhammad dies 2 years later in 632.
Abraham’s Kaaba and Muhammad’s
Qu’ranThe Qu’ran is the holy text (like the Torah
and the Bible)Does not require priests to mediateMuslims believe God (Allah) sent other
prophets, but Muhammad is the last and the greatest
The Qu’ran is the direct, unchangeable word of God, only in Arabic
The 5 PillarsBelief
There is no God but God, and Muhammad is His messenger
Worship5 times a day towards the Kaaba in Mecca
FastingNo food, drink, smoking or sex b/w sunrise and sunset
AlmsgivingGive a certain amount of property to charity every
yearPilgrimage (Hajj)
Travel to Mecca at least once in a lifetime
Back to the regularly scheduled program…After Muhammad’s death, there is confusion about his successor.
Abu Bakr (father-in-law) became the first Caliph
“If you worship Muhammad, Muhammad is dead. If you worship God, God is alive.”
The Big SplitShiite: Muhammad’s son-in-law, Ali, is the true successor. Descendents of Ali and Fatima are called Imams. They are divinely inspired leaders, like pastors.
Sunni: any male from the sunna, Muslim community, can be a caliph. About 90% of Muslims are Sunni.
The empire moves onAfter Ali’s murder the Umayyad empire takes over
It starts in Damascus in Syria, but extends all over the Middle East to Spain.
How could they conquer so much?Weak empires: Byzantine empire and Persian empire
Fighting with camels and horses
They allowed religious freedom to the “People of the Book”
When empires get too big what happens?Things fall apart, the entire is too hard to
control
Our Trip to Saudi Arabia
ReligionStrict version of Sunni Islam
Contains both Mecca and Medina
NO freedom of religion
Muslim womenGranted “equality” in the Qu’ran, but given smaller shares of inheritance
Told to dress moderately in the Qu’ranIn Saudi Arabia All women are required to wear a full black cloak, called an abaya, and a headscarf or headcovering. They can be harassed by the religious police if they do not. Many women also wear a niqāb or face veil.
Akon
Malcolm X
Mos Def
Muhammad Ali