ISLAM
EQ: What are some key beliefs of Islam?
History
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Originated in Arabia in
622CE
Muhammad, born in
Mecca in 570CE
spreads the message
of Islam
622CE: Muhammad &
his followers leave
Mecca & make their
hijra
Life of Muhammad (570632CE)
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An Arab born in Mecca (a city in
today’s Saudi Arabia)
A merchant, married, had children
Didn’t like Arabs worshipping idols
The angel, Gabriel, commands
Muhammad to spread the message of
Islam (he becomes God’s greatest
prophet)
Hijra/Hegira
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hijra = the journey from Mecca to
Medina (aka Yathrib)
Muhammad had to make this journey
because Meccan merchants wanted to
kill him
Muslim converts in Medina welcomed
Muhammad
The religions grows because of this
Hijra
Muslim Beliefs
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Followers of Islam are called Muslims
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM – 5 basic
duties
1. Belief in one compassionate & allpowerful God, Allah
2. Pray 5 times a day
3. Give $$$ to the poor
4. Fast from dawn to dusk during the holy
month of Ramadan
5. Make a pilgrimage to Mecca
Facts About Islam
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Sacred text = Quran (Koran)
– Islam’s sacred scriptures
– Guide to life for Muslims
– Final authority on any topic or situation
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Sharia = body of laws
– developed by Muslim scholars
– These laws cover all aspects of life
– Able to unite Muslims of various
backgrounds
Spread of Islam
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Caliph = successors to Muhammad
The 1st caliph is Abu Bakr, who succeeds
Muhammad in 632CE
Muslims are ruled by caliphs from 632 into
the 900s - this period is called the
“caliphate”
Muslim world expands during the caliphate
– Mid-East
– Spain
– S.E. Asia
-N. Africa
-Sicily
-India
Spread of Islam:
How/Why?
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Over 3 continents:
Military conquests, skilled fighters
Build trading empires
– Trade considered an honorable
occupation
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Treat conquered peoples fairly
– Many of those conquered convert to
Islam
– Islam appeals because it focuses on
honesty, social justice, and generosity
Describe a major belief of
each of the following
belief systems.
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Hinduism
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Buddhism
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Judaism
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Christianity
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Islam
Confucianism
Taoism
5 Pillars
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Fold your paper into 5 sections
Put the 5 pillars in order – one in each
section
List the pillar & draw an example of
the pillar
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http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n
ews/2002/09/0910_muslimkids.html
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n
ews/2003/10/photogalleries/InsideMec
ca/index.html