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 Islam 2. Don’t convert, pay annual tribute * Non-Muslims could not be in government 3. 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.