Islam

SLMS/09
Islam is the third of the three major monotheistic religions. It is
descended from both Judaism and Christianity. People who
practice the religion of Islam are known as Muslims, not Islams.
The term Islam literally means submission (to Allah), and
Muslim means one who submits. Like many religions, Islam
was not immediately accepted by the local population.
Origins of Islam Origins of Islam Origins of Islam Origins of Islam

Muslims believe that Abraham is not only
the father of the Jews, but also of Arab-
Muslims. They trace their descendency
from Abrahams child Ishmael the child
he had with Hagar when he thought he
and his wife Sarah could not have chil-
dren. There is more than a little irony in
the fact that Arabs claim to be the half-
brothers of Jews
In 570 CE, Muhammad was born in the
city of Mecca, in the Arabian peninsula. He
grew up and became a successful busi-
nessman, but he still questioned his life
and the world around him.
In 610, at the age of 40, Mu-
hammad went to a cave outside
of Mecca to pray and to medi-
tate. There he received the first
of his revelations from God.
Muhammad openly taught his revelations
in Mecca, but the people of Mecca did not
accept him as a religious prophet. Muham-
mad fled to the neighboring city of Medina
in 622.
In the city of Medina, people accepted his
teachings, and the religion of Islam took
root. Muhammad returned to Mecca in
630 with an army, and the Meccans fi-
nally submitted to Islam.
Basic Beliefs Basic Beliefs Basic Beliefs Basic Beliefs

Muslims are monotheistic, and believe
there is only one God, Allah. Muhammad is
NOT a god, he is the prophet. In fact, Mus-
lims believe Muhammad is the last (and
greatest) in a long line of prophets begin-
ning with Abraham, including Moses and
Jesus.
Muslims believe Islam to be the
final revelation of Judaism &
Christianity. Jews & Christians
traditionally have been given spe-
cial consideration in Muslim communities
as people of the book.
Muslims follow the 5 Pillars as the corner-
stone of their religion.
-Pillar 1: Faith Pillar 1: Faith Pillar 1: Faith Pillar 1: Faith (Shahada) Declaration of
their faith in Allah.
-Pillar 2: Prayer Pillar 2: Prayer Pillar 2: Prayer Pillar 2: Prayer (Salat) Pray five times a
day toward Mecca.
-Pillar 3: Almsgiving Pillar 3: Almsgiving Pillar 3: Almsgiving Pillar 3: Almsgiving (Zakat) Giving of
alms or charity to the poor and sick.
-Pillar 4: Fasting Pillar 4: Fasting Pillar 4: Fasting Pillar 4: Fasting (Sawm) Fasting during
the holy month of Ramadan.
-Pillar 5: Pilgrimage Pillar 5: Pilgrimage Pillar 5: Pilgrimage Pillar 5: Pilgrimage (Hajj) Making a pil-
grimage to the holy city of Mecca at least
once in a lifetime.
-Pillar 6: Holy War Pillar 6: Holy War Pillar 6: Holy War Pillar 6: Holy War (Jihad) A sometimes
invoked pillar. Holy War must be
proclaimed by a Caliph (religious leader), or
other important leader.
Sacred Symbols & Books Sacred Symbols & Books Sacred Symbols & Books Sacred Symbols & Books

The most widely recognized symbol
of Islam is the crescent moon & star.
It appears on the flags of some Mus-
lim nations, and can be found atop minaret
towers. It is a controversial symbol, since it
is not found anywhere in the Quran. Many
feel it symbolizes the understanding offered
by Islam. The waxing crescent increases in
light and the star provides direction.
The Quran Quran Quran Quran (Koran) is the holiest book in Is-
lam. It contains the revelations that Muham-
mad received from Allah. Because the reve-
lations were received in the language of Ara-
bic, Muslims consider only Arabic copies of
the Quran to be official copies. They believe
that something is lost when the language is
translated. So while English copies of the
Quran do exist, they are not considered to
be official.
The Mosque Mosque Mosque Mosque is the Muslim house
of worship. A traditional mosque is
built with a large open area in
which to pray, and is usually
topped with a large dome. Gener-
ally mosques have tall slender towers called
minarets minarets minarets minarets on the property. Large mosques
may have 4 minarets one at each point of
the compass. Each morning the call to wor-
ship is chanted by the muezzin muezzin muezzin muezzin from atop
the minaret.
The Kaaba Kaaba Kaaba Kaaba is located inside of
the Great Mosque in Mecca, and is
considered the most sacred site in
Islam. The Kaaba itself is a large
granite cube (43 high x 36 x 42). The
Kaaba houses the Black Stone a meteorite
that fell from heaven to show Adam & Eve
where to build an altar for offerings. Abra-
ham later built a kaaba to house the black
stone, and Muhammad rebuilt it. Pilgrims
march around it seven times.
Sects of Islam Sects of Islam Sects of Islam Sects of Islam

Sunni Muslims Sunni Muslims Sunni Muslims Sunni Muslims85% of the worlds Mus-
lims are Sunni. These are considered Or-
thodox Muslims, and follow the example of
Muhammad. They also do not believe the
caliph (leader of Islam like a Pope) needs
to be a direct blood descendent of Muham-
mad, but rather should be chosen
based on their character and example.
Shiite (Shia) Muslims Shiite (Shia) Muslims Shiite (Shia) Muslims Shiite (Shia) Muslims15% of the
worlds Muslims are Shia. This group
believes that the caliph should be a
direct descendent of the prophet. They
also believed the Imams (first 12 leaders of
the Islamic community) were chosen by
God, and were perfect examples for Mus-
lims. The 12th Imam disappeared in the
9th century, and Shias believe he will re-
turn to judge the faithful at the end of the
world.
Sufi Muslims Sufi Muslims Sufi Muslims Sufi MuslimsTiny sect of mystical Mus-
lims who believe that prayer & meditation
can draw them closer to Allah in this life.
Impact on Lives Impact on Lives Impact on Lives Impact on Lives

The Five Pillars all have a direct impact on
Muslims lives. Also, most Muslims go to
religious school to learn the Quran, which
means, most Muslims learn to read Arabic.
Muslims, like Jews, also have dietary laws
forbidding the consumption of pork
products and alcohol.
The Quran dictates that Muslim
women dress and behave in a mod-
est manner. Some Muslim nations
take this more seriously than oth-
ers. In Arab communities of the Middle
East, most women are required to remain
fully covered in loose fitting garb. In some
cases, even the faces of women must be
covered. However in Muslim Indonesia, fe-
male dress codes are much different.
1. What do the terms Islam and Muslim
mean?






2. What is the descendency of Arab-
Muslims?






3. Why is it somewhat ironic that Jews &
Arabs are half-brothers?






4. Summarize the early life of Muhammad.









5. Why did Muhammad go to Medina? What
happened there?





6. What are Muslim beliefs regarding:
Allah-



Muhammad-




7. How do Muslims view Judaism and Chris-
tianity?




8. Label & explain the 5 (6) Pillars of Islam.
a.


b.


c.


d.


e.


(f).


9. What is a widely recognized symbol of Is-
lam? What does it symbolize?
Global History Name ___________________________________
Islam
10. Describe the holiest book in Islam.






11. What is a mosque & what is it like?







12. What is the Kaaba, where is it located &
what is its significance?








13. Describe the 3 sects of Islam.
a.




b.




c.



14. What are some impacts that Islam has on
the lives of believers?
Analysis: Analysis: Analysis: Analysis:

15. What are some similarities between Judaism, Christianity and Islam?



16. Why do Muslims consider their religion an extension of Judaism & Christianity?





17. Islam is a religion that proselytizes (attempt to convert followers). What are some other
religions which do this?