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ISLAM

Founder: Muhammad b. 57O - 632 AD (also Mohammed, Mahomet)

Islam--"submission" (to God)Practitioners called Muslims (submitters)Sacred Texts:

The Qur'an (Koran)The Hadith ("traditions" of Muhammad and early Muslim leaders)

Historical Background

7th Century Arabia

Barbarism-warring tribes, settling in Mecca, trade

Paganism--Polytheism and Animism--pantheon of gods with Allah, the Moon God and his three daughters at the top, lesser gods, jinn (genies, nature spirits)

Month of Fasting in the cult of the moon god

Historical Background

Worship at the Kabah ("cube")--square stone temple in Mecca with 36O idols

Pilgrimage to Mecca

Prayer towards the Kabah in Mecca

Superstition

The Life of Muhammad

Father dies before birth, "spiritualist" mother

Orphaned at 5, shuffled around, raised by uncle

Cave explorationEarly vision--insides stirredAge 25-4O Marries Khadijah, becomes

caravan owner

The Life of Muhammad

Age 4O Prophetic call--"The Night of Power"

Muhammad's visions--temporal lobe epilepsy?

Muhammad's doubt

Demon possession?

Mental illness?

Suicide attempts thwarted by Gabriel

The Life of Muhammad

The Satanic Verses: Is it O.K. to worship Allah's 3 daughters?

Flight to Medina (Yathrib)--success

Caravan Looting and Pillaging

Plundering of the Jews

Defeat by the Meccans, Muhammad nearly killed at Uhod

The Life of Muhammad

Muhammad regroups, rebuildsTreaty with MeccaConquest of Mecca

The Character of MuhammadCharisma, diplomatic skillsSocial justice concerns

The Character of Muhammad

TemperPlunder, assassinations, reprisals,

severe punishmentsSuperstitionSexual appetite

ZaynabAesha

Attitude towards womenMuhammad vs. Jesus

The Five Pillars of Islam

1. The Shahadah: "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet."

2. Salat: Prayer towards Mecca 5x a day3. Zakat (annual charitable tax on net

worth)4. Sawm: Fasting during Ramadan (Month

in Muslim calendar)--no eating or drinking

5. Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca (at least once)