Pre-Class: Reading from the Qur’an
(handout)
Place a checkmark (5 total) next to each
conclusion you can make about Islam
based on the excerpts AND underline the
evidence for each conclusion checked.
1
Understanding Islam
Why should we study the religion of Islam?
There are over 1 billion Muslims in the world.
Islam Identifications
• Muslim: person who follows Islam
• Ka’aba: Islam’s holiest shrine – located in Mecca – Arabic for
cube
• Qu’ran: secret text, holy book of Islam
• Mecca: birth place of Islam, holiest city, Saudi Arabia
• Mosque: Muslim house of worship
• Allah: Arabic for God same as J and C
• Medina: first Islamic community, 2nd Holy city, Muhammad
gains political and religious power – City of the Prophet
• Hejira: 622 – Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Medina;
marks first expansion of Islam
3
• Jerusalem: 3rd Holiest city to Islam – Dome of the Rock
Five Pillars of Islam
• Islam means: (#2)
– to submit/submission
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Five Pillars of Islam: (#3)
Declaration of Faith (Shahada)
Prayers (Salah)
Charity (Sawm)
Fasting (Zakat)
Pilgrimage (Hajj)
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The Rise and
Spread of
Islam
Arabia in the 7th Century
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Arabian People
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Nomads/Bedouins
Farmers
Traders
Tribes
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Paganism
• Worshipped many
gods
• Chief god was
“Allah” meaning
simply “the God.”
Al-Uzza
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Mecca
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Arabia
These Arab people were pagans, meaning they
worshipped many gods.
The center of Arabic pagan worship was in a town
called Mecca.
Pilgrims would travel to Mecca to worship the Kaaba
The Kaaba: sacred shine that housed images of all the
Arab gods. Also contained a black stone-probably a
meteorite, which the Arabs thought was sent from
heaven
Trade
Routes
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Muhammad (#4)
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Born CE 570
From Quraysh tribe
Marries Khadija
Merchant/trader
Meditated in desert
Daughter Fatima
married to cousin Ali
• Video 3:29
13
Muhammad: Founder of Islam
• Muhammad was born in Mecca about 570.
• His parents died when he was very young, but
he was sent to live with his uncle, who was a
Bedouin tribesman, even before they died.
• Muhammad became a merchant.
• When he was 25, he met a wealthy widow
named Khadija, and married her.
Muhammad (#5)
• Final Prophet/Founder
of Islam
– Means to
surrender/submit (#2)
• Messages from God
compiled in the Qur’an
• Spread the message of
one God
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The Quran
• Muhammad memorized, word for word,
everything the Angel Gabriel spoke to him. It
was eventually written down by scribes.
• These writings are known as the Quran.
• Quran means “recitation.”
• it is the holy book for Muslims, containing
guidance in all matters
The Quran (Koran)
• The Quran provides guidance on every aspect of
human life: from history and economics to morality,
criminal and civil law, gender issues, social values,
Judaism and Christianity, past prophets, and even
science*
• Any translation of the Quran from Arabic into a
different language means that it is not entirely
accurate
Similarities with Christianity and
Judaism
Universality of Humankind
• Along with Judaism and Christianity, Islam
emphasizes the dignity and equality of
humankind:
“No Arab has any superiority over a nonArab…Nor does a white man have any
superiority over a black man, or the black man
any superiority over the white man. You are all
the children of Adam, and Adam was created
from clay.”
Similarities with Christianity and
Judaism
Belief in an Afterlife
• Along with Jews and Christians, Muslims
believe that we will be held accountable for
our actions in the next life:
“We shall set up scales of justice for the day of
Judgment, so that not a soul will be dealt with
unjustly in the least.”
The Hejira
• Muhammad began to speak
about this new religion to the
Arab tribes people around
Mecca.
• Some began to follow him.
Others did not like his
message, and plotted to kill
both him and his followers.
• In 622, Muhammad and his
followers fled from Mecca to
Yathrib, a town to the north.
• This journey was known as
the hejira.
• Yathrib was later renamed
Medina, which means “City of
the Prophet.”
Medina and Hejira 622
Marks the beginning of expansion of Islam (#10)
21
Sacredness of Jerusalem
• “Night Journey” from the nearest
mosque to the farthest (“alAqsa”) mosque - 619 AD in
Jerusalem
• Is believed to be when
Muhammad “flew” to Jerusalem
and met with the old Prophets:
Abraham and Moses
The Night Journey
1
23
People of the Book (# 6)
• Muhammad’s Term for Jews and Christians
– Cause followed Gods teachings
• Old and New Testament were God’s words but
had been corrupted over time
• Christianity and Judaism influenced Islam
24
Return to Mecca – 628AD
Mecca
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Kaaba
• Housed 360 idols
• Muhammad Smashed idols
and dedicated to God (360)
(#5)
• Pilgrimages during holy
month Dhul-Hijjah
Ka’bah
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Al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca
.
What do you think?
What are some of the implications that flowed from
Muhammad’s smashing the idols at the Ka’bah?
28
“Farewell Speech”
• Tribes throughout
Arabia acknowledged
Muhammad’s authority
and converted to Islam
• Muhammad delivered
farewell speech in 632
• Muhammad died
without designating a
successor
Mosque of the Prophet, Medina
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Spread of Muslim Rule
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Spread of Muslim Rule
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Spread of Muslim Rule
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Spread of Muslim Rule
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Spread of Muslim Rule
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Spread of Muslim Rule
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Two Main Branches of Islam
Battle of Karbala: 661 A.D.
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Schism
• Disagreement over style and
qualifications
• Bloody massacre
• (#11) Split into Sunni and
Shi’a during Umayyad
Dynasty – Mid 600’s
• over the choosing of caliph
– successor to Muhammad
as leader of Islamic
community (#11)
• (#12) Sunni – 80% caliph
based on merit – anyone
• Shi'ite/Shi’a – caliph
descendent of Muhammad
37
Shrine at Karbala
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Concept of Jihad
• According the the Quran:
”You may fight “in the cause of God” against
those who attack you, but do not aggress. God
does not love the aggressors.” 2:190
• This directive has often been misinterpreted
as sanctioning “Holy War.”
7. Hadith, Quran, and Sunnah make up the Sharia
Sharia – sacred law of Islam
Hadith: accounts and sayings of Muhammad
Sunnah: custom; the way of life of Muhammad
8. oneness of God and Muhammad Final Prophet
9. Birth, Marriage, Death
10. Hejira (622), Muslim Army united by
Jihad (to struggle to be the best Muslim/Holy War)
and promise of riches, resentment of foreign rule,
Conversion (equality of believers), tolerance
40
11. Umayyad, choosing a caliph
12. Shi’a (Shiite) and Sunni
13. Halal
In Arabic, the word halal means permitted or lawful.
Halal foods are foods that are allowed under Islamic
dietary guidelines
No pork or alcohol
41
Five Pillars of Islam
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•
•
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Declaration of Faith (Shahada)
Prayers (Salah)
Charity (Sawm)
Fasting (Zakat)
Pilgrimage (Hajj) Video 2:00
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43
Ramadan (#14)
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9th month of the Islamic/lunar calendar
Month that Qur'an to Muhammad
Fasting from sunup to sundown
Focus on relationship with God/spiritually
Night of Power:
– last days of the month it is believed that
Muhammad first received the Qur'an.
• Eid ul-Fitr:
– holiday that marks the end of Ramadan and fasting
44
Islam, Christianity, and Judaism
Similarities
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Monotheism
Prophethood
Old Testament
Golden Rule
10 Commandments
Jerusalem Holy
Judgment Day
Heaven
Prayer
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Fasting
Charity
Coming of Age
Pilgrimage
Dietary Laws
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Early Islamic Empires
The Spread of Islam
• Within 120 years of the Prophet Muhammad’s
death, the religion of Islam had spread from
the Arabian Peninsula to include the following
areas:
• http://www.explorethemed.com/RiseIslam.asp
Early Caliphates
Umayyad
Dynasty
(661-750 A.D.)
Capital:
Damascus,
Syria
Emphasis on
Arab Culture &
Language
Sunni Muslim
Umayyads (661–750)
49
Umayyad Culture
Dome of the Rock,
Jerusalem
Al-Aqsa (“furthest”) mosque, built CE 715
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Shi’ism Today
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Umayyad Decline
• Fragmentation
– split
• Non-Arabs
• Leadership
problems
52
Early Caliphates
Abbassid Dynasty (750-1250 AD)
Capital: Baghdad
Golden Age of Muslim
Civilization
Included People from other
cultures
Persians
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Advances in architecture
Control of trade routes
Advances in science,
medicine, mathematics
Poetry and philosophy
Indians
Turks
Abbasids (750–1258)
First 100 years 1st Golden Age (#15)
Because of economic power, medicine, science, math,
and architecture
54
Islam’s First Golden Age
The Abbassid Caliphate was established in 750 A.D.
The capital of this new Islamic Empire was
established in Baghdad, not Damascus.
Founded by al-Mansur, the second caliph of the
Abbassid Dynasty.
This new caliphate was more inclusive of different
people, including Persians, Turks, and Indians,
which gave it more appeal.
Islam’s First Golden Age
Commerce and Economics
This new empire controlled the trade routes
between the East (India and China) and the
Mediterranean, Africa, and Europe.
This led to thriving, wealthy cities, such as
Baghdad.
To help trade prosper, the Abbassids developed
many useful business practices.
Abbasid Culture
• Trade revival
• Arabic numerals
• Algebra
57
Science and Medicine
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Astrolabe
Medicine
Ibn Sina (Avicenna)
Muhammad Al-Razi
Muslims used the
magnetic needle to
produce the mariner’s
compass, as well as the
astrolabe.
• These inventions would
become VERY
important during the
Age of Discovery
hundreds of years later.
Astrolabe
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Medieval Renaissance Man
Ibn Sina – known
also as Avicenna
Wrote more than
100 books on
astronomy, music,
philosophy,
medicine, and
poetry
Islam’s First Golden Age
Advances in Learning:
Muslim scholars translated ancient Greek
works on philosophy, science, and
mathematics.
Muslims also made advances in the fields of
medicine, mathematics, and architecture
They gave us beautiful poetry, such as The
18Rubaiyat, and A Thousand and One Nights
Islam’s First Golden Age
Muhammad al Razi
• Muslim doctor who stressed eating a balanced
diet.
• Encouraged high professional standards for
doctors, including education and qualifying
exams.
• Wrote 50 books on medicine
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Hadith
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Mosques
63
Abbasid Decline
Mosque of Abbasid Caliph AlMutawakkil
64
The Moors:
The Visigoths had ruled Spain until 711, when the Moors crossed into
Spain from North Africa. For the next three centuries, the Moors
controlled most of Spain by establishing a “caliphate,” or religious
center, in Cordoba. Spain enjoyed a “golden age.” The Moors were able
administrators who built Spain into a thriving center of culture and
scholarship. The Moors were Muslims, but they were generally tolerant
of the Christians and Jews who lived in Spain. Spanish Jews benefited
from the tolerant policies of the Moors. This enabled them to have one of
the most prosperous periods in their history.
Christian kingdoms in northern Spain and France slowly began the
Reconquista (or reconquest) of Spain, a struggle that lasted almost 500
years. Quarrels among the Moors led to the overthrow of the caliphate of
Cordoba in 1031. The Moors remained in Spain until King Ferdinand of
Aragon, and Queen Isabella of Castille merged their kingdoms and
forced the Muslims and Jews to leave Spain
65
Islam’s First Golden Age
Alhambra: Islamic architecture produced some
of the most stunning buildings in history.
Row 5
16. Life long learners/education important
- translated Greek and Sanskrit works on philosophy and
science
House of Wisdom – Baghdad – Al Mamun
– preserved ancient learning – diffused to Europe
17. Medicine: Diagnosis/treatment/qualifying examinations
Muhammad al-Razi and Ibn Sina – all influenced the West
Math – algebra
Science
Architecture - minarets
18. Letters of credit – receipts – bills of lading
67
Comparison of Statistics and Basics
Islam
Judaism
Christianity
adherents called
Muslims
Jews
Christians
current adherents
1.3 billion
14 million
2 billion
current size rank
2nd largest
12th largest
largest
major
concentration
Middle East,
Southeast Asia
Israel, Europe,
USA
Europe, North and
South America, rapid
growth in Africa
sacred text
Qur'an (Koran)
Bible
Bible (Jewish Bible +
New Testament)
other written
authority
Hadith
Talmud, Midrash,
Responsa
church fathers, church
councils, papal decrees
(Catholic only)
religious law
Sharia
Halakhah
Canon Law
clergy
imams
rabbis
priests, ministers,
pastors, bishops
mosque
synagogue
church, chapel,
cathedral
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
house of worship
main day of
worship
68
Comparison of Origins and History
Islam
Judaism
Christianity
date founded
622 CE
unknown
c. 33 CE
place founded
Saudi Arabia
Palestine (def)
Palestine
founder
Muhammad
Moses or
Abraham
Jesus
Arabic
Hebrew
Aramaic, Greek
little expansion;
mostly confined
to Palestine
within 60 years,
churches in major cities
in Palestine, Turkey,
Greece and Rome
(map); entire Roman
Empire by end of 4th
cent.
original
language(s)
early expansion
major splits
within 12 years,
entire Arabian
peninsula; within 100
years, Muslim world
stretched from the
Atlantic to China
Shia/Sunni, c. 650
CE
Catholic/Orthodox, 1054
Reform/Orthodox,
CE; Catholic/Protestant,
1800s CE
1500s CE
69
Comparison of Religious Beliefs
Islam
Judaism
Christianity
type of theism
strict monotheism
strict monotheism
Trinitarian monotheism
ultimate reality
one God
one God
one God
names of God
Allah (Arabic for God)
Yahweh, Elohim
Yahweh, the Holy Trinity
other spiritual beings
angels, demons, jinn
angels and demons
angels and demons
revered humans
prophets, imams
(especially in Shia)
prophets
saints, church fathers
identity of Jesus
true prophet of God, whose
message has been
corrupted
not prophet
Son of God, God incarnate,
savior of the world
Not part of beliefs
Not part of beliefs
affirmed
through Muhammad,
recorded in Qur'an
through Prophets,
recorded in Bible
through Prophets and Jesus
(as God Himself), recorded in
Bible
correct belief, good deeds,
Five Pillars
belief in God, good
deeds
correct belief, faith, good
deeds, sacraments (some
Protestants emphasize faith
alone)
eternal paradise: heaven
views vary: heaven
eternal heaven
Jews and Christians are
respected as "People of the
Book," but they have wrong
beliefs and only partial
revelation.
Islam and Christianity
are false
interpretations and
extensions of Judaism.
Judaism is a true religion, but
70
with incomplete revelation.
resurrection of Jesus
divine revelation
means of salvation
good afterlife
view of fellow
Abrahamic religions