Islam

Islam• Islam– Submission to god

• Followers are Muslim– One who submits to god

• 2nd largest religion in world– 2.2 Billion Christians– 1.4 Billion Muslims

• Fastest growing religion

• Africa:–40% Christian–40% Muslim

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/World_Muslim_Population_Map.png

Muhammad

• Muhammad M– Born in Mecca– 25 y/o married– 40 y/o went to a cave to

pray• The angel Gabriel

appeared • Instructed him to write

things down

• Muslims believe god spoke to M. through the angel making him the greatest prophet in Islam

• M. wrote things down in the Quran– Sacred text in Islam

• M is spreading his teachings in Mecca– Many Arabs feel

threatened – Plot to kill M

• M flees to Medina– Hegirajourney

• Home becomes the first Mosque– Building for Muslim

prayer

5 pillars of Islam

1. Shahada (creed)– There is no god but

Allah, and his messenger is M

2. Prayer 5 times a day– Begin at dawn, end at

sunset

3. Fasting– During the month of

Ramadan (circa Sept.)

4. Charity– Giving to the poor

5. Pilgrimage to Mecca• must go at least once &

pray to the Kaaba

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/17/Supplicating_Pilgrim_at_Masjid_Al_Haram._Mecca,_Saudi_Arabia.jpg

Radical Islam

• Jihad• 6th pillar of Islam• “Struggle” to obey Allah

1. self2. Tongue3. Hand4. Sword

Defense of Islam

Islamic views of Heaven

• Believe in Heaven and Hell

• Judgment Day• No guarantee of Heaven– Allah evaluates good and

bad deeds may determine admittance

• Allah may determine non admittance– “bad day”

• Only way guaranteed into heaven through martyrdom

• Death by holy way or jihad

Schism of Islam

• 2 major Denominations of Islam

1. Sunni (85%)2. Shia (15%)• Dispute over the

leadership after M.’s death

• Sunni followed Abu• Shia followed Ali