What is Islam and how is it related to Judaism and Christianity?

Islam = “peace,” “submission” Muslim = “submitter” Not “Mohammedanism”

Abraham’s two sons: Isaac the Hebrews (Judaism Christianity) Ishmael the Arabs (Islam)

Islam respects the two earlier Abrahamic religions as “Peoples of the Book”

Who was Muhammad

b. 570 CE, d. 632 CE Prophet/founder; human, not divine Lived in Arabia, near Mecca Orphaned by age 6, raised by grandfather and

uncle Worked as a caravan driver for a woman –

Khadija – 15 years his senior Age 25: accepted offer to marry Khadija Sired six children, only one daughter – Fatimah

– had children of her own Age 40: Revelation begins 610 CE, continues

throughout remainder of the Prophet’s life

What is the Qur’an?

Qur’an = “recite,” “recitation” Holy book of Islam Revealed to Muhammad by God through angel

Gabriel Written piecemeal by scribes during or shortly

after Muhammad’s life Compiled as a whole about 20 years after

Muhammad’s death Comprised of 114 chapters (called surahs)

Hadith and Sunnah (stories, sayings, and traditions of Muhammad)

Qur’an + Hadith and Sunnah = Shariah (Islamic Law)

The Development of Islam

Early persecution by Meccans Year 619: wife and uncle both die Year 622: Hijrah - migration to Yathrib (Medina =

“City of the Prophet”) (year 1 AH) Success in Medina, defense against Meccan

attacks Year 630: Reclaiming of Mecca Year 632: first Muslim pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca,

led by Muhammad who died a few months later, having united the Arab tribes under the banner of Islam

Within 100 years, spread east toward India and west into north Africa and Spain

Who are Muslims?

More than one billion Muslims in the world today

Two major groups: Sunni: 80% in many locations throughout the world Shi’ite: 15%, mostly in Iran

Difference is political, basic beliefs and practices are the same

Sufis are Muslim mystics, come from both Sunni and Shi’ite backgrounds

Most Muslims are not Arab and not all Arabs are Muslim

Muslims in America today

What do Muslims Believe?

One God (Allah) Spiritual beings:

Angels, Jinn and the Devil (“Iblis,” “Shaitan”) Prophets & Messengers:

Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, Muhammad… Holy Books:

Torah, Psalms, Gospels, Qur’an Decrements (destiny) – Inshallah (“if God

wills”) End Times (eschatology)

Resurrection, Judgment day, Heaven & Hell

How is Islam Practiced?The Five Pillars

Shahada – Witness: “There is no God but The God (Allah) and

Muhammad is the Prophet of God Salat – Prayer, five times every day Zakat – alms giving to the poor and

needy Sawm – fasting, sun-up to sun-down

during month of Ramadan Hajj – Pilgrimage to Mecca (at least

once in a Muslim’s life, if able)

What is the Ka’aba?

Located in the center of Mecca Pre-dates Islam (said to have been built

by Abraham and Ishmael as an altar to God)

Used by pre-Muslim Arabs for worship of their many tribal gods (idols)

Year 630: reclaimed by Muhammad, cleansed and rededicated to Allah

Center of Islam to this day – place of annual pilgrimage and direction of prayer for Muslims from all corners of the globe

The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem

Other Sacred Places

The Great Mosque in Mecca

The Prophet’s Mosque in

Medina

Muhammad’s Night Journey

What is a Mosque?

A place for prayer, study, socializing No shoes in prayer hall Women cover head, separate from men Wudu room for ritual cleansing before

prayer Minaret for call to prayer (Adhaan) Prayer hall oriented toward Mecca

(qibla) Imam (prayer leader) stands in mirahb

(niche)

Prohibitions

Halal (permissible) and Haram (prohibited)

No eating of pork (other dietary regulations = halal)

No gambling No intoxicants No usury (charging or paying

interest on loans) (the rich shall not profit from helping the poor)

What about Jihad?

“Struggle” not “Holy War” Inner: spiritual and moral struggle

between good and evil Outer: struggle to maintain proper

social setting according to God’s will Struggles in the Holy Land

Palestinian vs. Israeli, not Muslim vs. Jew (political, not religious)

What about Women in Islam?

Respected and Protected by Men “Modest dress” for both men

and women “Hijab” differs from culture to

culture Heavy cover and veil not a religious

requirement

Wearing Hijab in America

Rights of Women

Right to vote (citizenship) Right to inherit Right to work, earn and keep their own

money Right to keep their own name in

marriage Right to initiate divorce Right to refuse additional wives Female infanticide outlawed

Resources:

Jannah.org http://www.jannah.org/ World Assembly of Muslim Youth

http://www.wamy.co.uk/ Discover Islam Online

http://www.discover-islam-online.com/ (posters)

PBS Documentaries: Islam: Empire of Faith http://www.pbs.org/empires/islam/ Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet

http://www.pbs.org/muhammad/ Muslims (Frontline):

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/