Creativity in the Desert
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2nd largest
religion
Fastest growing
Islam = religion
Muslim =
adherent
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“One who
submits (to God)”
Majority found in
North Africa &
Asia
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Tribal society on the Arabian Peninsula
Caravan traders, nomadic shepherds
 Tribal organization
 Claimed descent from
Abraham
 Blood feuds
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Pre-Mohammad Religion
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animism
Mecca
 trading & religious center
 Ka’ba
 controlled by Umayyad Clan
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Early Life
City of Mecca
Marriage & Business
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Worked for Khadijah trading goods
Married Kahdijah, 15 years his senior
Marriage was idyllic
Contemplative person
Went to a cave at Mount Hira to meditate
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While there…
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Angel Jibreel appeared
Revelations from Allah
 Taught the basics of Islam
 Qur’an (Koran)
 similiar to the doctrine and
covenants
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Non-revealed teachings called
hadith
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Stories & sayings of Mohammad
Obligation to teach the world
Mohammad = the Prophet
Mohammad not accepted in
Mecca and left
 Why was he not accepted?
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The Hijrah (Hegira)
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Mohammad’s trek from
Mecca to Yathrib
 marks 1st year of
Muslim calendar
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Settled in Yathrib
Message was accepted
 Jewish converts &
interactions
 Umma = Muslim
community
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Yathrib renamed
Medina
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“City of the Prophet”
1st Muslim community
1st mosque still exists
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Returned to Mecca
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Now a religious, political, & military leader
War against Umayyads
Destroyed idols
Changed Ka’ba to a mosque
Umayyads convert
Died in 632 CE
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Who will lead?
Abu Bakr (best friend) chosen as Caliph
 Religious & political successor of Mohammad
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Ali overlooked (cousin)
 Question of leadership sets up rift in Islamic faith
 Sunni vs. Shiite
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Wars of Islamic Expansion led by Umayyads
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1.
2.
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5.
5 Pillars of Islam
Profess the faith
Pray 5 times daily
Fasting during the month of Ramadan
Give alms to the poor
Make a Hajj
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Appeals to people of many different
backgrounds:
Accepted many monotheistic beliefs of Jews &
Christians
 5 Pillars can be followed easily by everyone
 Polygamy permitted
 Well-to-do encouraged to care for the needy
 No priesthood developed
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 Prayer leaders instead
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Equality of all people in the eyes of Allah
 vs. in the eyes of man
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Interactions with Christians & Jews
Dhimmi = “People of the Book”
 Believe in the same God
 Need to accept Mohammad as last prophet
 Christ is “word of God”
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 He did not die and was not resurrected
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Definition of who were dhimmi changed as Islam
expanded
 ex. Hindus of India would later be included
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Jihad
Means suffering or struggle
 Can be personal or national
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 To draw closer to God
 People must unite in war to follow Allah’s will
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Today
 Terrorists call for jihad because of threat
 BUT – innocent are killed and Muslims are not united in
these jihads
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Shari’a Law
Based on Qur’an & hadith
 Muslim way of life; customs
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