Islam

Muhammad: The Last Prophet

Born in Mecca around 570ADWealthy merchant, but hated the greed of the people

~40 years old heard the voice of Gabriel the Angel

His wife, Khadija, convinces him to be a messenger of God.

From Mecca to MedinaMuhammad is faced with murder

threats and moves to the city of Medina (city of the Prophet)

This happened 622, which is the first year of the Muslim calendar

And back again…The people welcome Muhammad and his teachings

They create communities of MuslimsMuhammad returns to Mecca in 630Once there he destroyed the idols in the Kaaba and rededicated it to Islam

Muhammad dies 2 years later in 632.

Abraham’s Kaaba and Muhammad’s

Qu’ranThe Qu’ran is the holy text (like the Torah

and the Bible)Does not require priests to mediateMuslims believe God (Allah) sent other

prophets, but Muhammad is the last and the greatest

The Qu’ran is the direct, unchangeable word of God, only in Arabic

The 5 PillarsBelief

There is no God but God, and Muhammad is His messenger

Worship5 times a day towards the Kaaba in Mecca

FastingNo food, drink, smoking or sex b/w sunrise and sunset

AlmsgivingGive a certain amount of property to charity every

yearPilgrimage (Hajj)

Travel to Mecca at least once in a lifetime

Back to the regularly scheduled program…After Muhammad’s death, there is confusion about his successor.

Abu Bakr (father-in-law) became the first Caliph

“If you worship Muhammad, Muhammad is dead. If you worship God, God is alive.”

The Big SplitShiite: Muhammad’s son-in-law, Ali, is the true successor. Descendents of Ali and Fatima are called Imams. They are divinely inspired leaders, like pastors.

Sunni: any male from the sunna, Muslim community, can be a caliph. About 90% of Muslims are Sunni.

The empire moves onAfter Ali’s murder the Umayyad empire takes over

It starts in Damascus in Syria, but extends all over the Middle East to Spain.

How could they conquer so much?Weak empires: Byzantine empire and Persian empire

Fighting with camels and horses

They allowed religious freedom to the “People of the Book”

When empires get too big what happens?Things fall apart, the entire is too hard to

control

Our Trip to Saudi Arabia

ReligionStrict version of Sunni Islam

Contains both Mecca and Medina

NO freedom of religion

Muslim womenGranted “equality” in the Qu’ran, but given smaller shares of inheritance

Told to dress moderately in the Qu’ranIn Saudi Arabia All women are required to wear a full black cloak, called an abaya, and a headscarf or headcovering. They can be harassed by the religious police if they do not. Many women also wear a niqāb or face veil.

Akon

Malcolm X

Mos Def

Muhammad Ali