Islam

1
Islam

• Submission to the one God, Allah
• The worlds fastest-growing and second-largest
  religion
• Central teachings are derived from the Quran, the
  primary sacred text and Islams earthly center.
• Muhammad, the final prophet,. exemplifies human
  perfection.

2
Muhammad

• Muhammad was born about 570 c.e. into the leading
  tribe of Mecca..
• Muhammad was an orphan and was raised by his
  uncle.
• He was a hard-working boy, honest and dependable
  who began his life as a shepherd and later went
  into the trading business.
• He was a caravan manager for a wealthy widow,
  Khadija, whom he eventually married.
• Muhammad was 25 and Khadija was about 40!
• They had at least 6 children and a long and happy
  marriage.

3
Muhammad as a prophet

• The angel Gabriel commanded Muhammad to
  recite!
• Citizens of Mecca were hostile to the message.
• Muhammad fled north to Yathrib, (Medina)
• This was known as the Hijra, an event on which
• the Muslims base their calendar.
• Most of Arabia were converted to Islam by the
• time of Muhammads death in 632.

4
Allah

• Muslims have 99 names for Allah or God.
• Prophets are the link between people and Allah.
• Abraham is the father of the Arab people.
• Moses and Jesus are also revered.
• Muhammad is the last and the seal of the
  prophets.
• Muslims consider human nature as essentially
  good, sin
• occurs when people forget their natural goodness.

5
Th e Five Pillars of Islam

• Confession of faith in one God and
  acknowledgment of Muhammad as a unique prophet.
• Prayer 5 times a day.
• Fasting during Ramadan
• Wealth sharing - 2.5 percent of their gross
  income.
• Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a persons life..

6
Social Teachings

• Shariah Law - Divine law governing most Islamic
  countries.
• Islam regards men and women as equals but with
  different roles.
• Jihad represents the struggle of individuals and
  society to act in accordance with shariah law.

7
Mecca
8
The Hajj
9
Expansion and Varieties of Islam

• Within one century after Muhammads death,
  Islamic civilization spread throughout the Middle
  East, Persia, North Africa, and almost all of
  Spain.
• Currently, the greatest concentration of Muslims
  is across the northern half of Africa, all of the
  Middle East, southwestern and South Asia, and the
  islands of Malaysia and Indonesia.
• Islam is the fastest growing religion in the
  United States.

10
Sunni and Shi/ism

• The majority of Muslims are Sunni.
• They follow the established custom, or sunnah,
  meaning the Sunnah of the prophet, Muhammad.
• Shi/ism believes in Imams. They are religious
  leaders who are direct descendants of Muhammad.
• Iran and Iraq are Shiites.

11
Sufis

• The term comes from the Islams word, suf -the
  coarse wool garment that is worn by Sufis.
• Sufism strives to experience Allah as immanent -
  dwelling within each worshipper.
• The Sufi experiences oneness with Allah and gains
  spiritual fortitude.
• Sufis are not necessarily popular among Muslims.
• Sufis live monastic lives with a shaykh as their
  head.