Islam

By: Ben, Hadi, and Hasani

Important Facts Founded ca. 622 CE Two forms: Sunni/Shia 5 pillars – foundation of Muslim life Found extensively throughout the Middle East,

North Africa, Southeast Asia, India, the Horn of Africa, and also in Southeast Europe.

Founder: Muhammad People accepted on their own, were not forced

to accept. Caliph – successor to prophet Mohammed

Spread Mecca Medina Middle East North Africa South Eastern Europe (Turkey, Balkans,

Russia) Asia (India, China, Mongolia, Indonesia) Spain

Expansion of Islam Black Arrows represent

original spread of Islam

Quran/Literature

Their holy book is the Quran Took 23 years to complete the revelation. Sacred texts sent by God to the Prophet and

people wrote them on their walls and memorized it.

Written in Arabic – Even today. Quran is about how you should act and has

stories. Art of the prophet is forbidden. Muslims compiled and saved lots of important

literature - Odyssey

Shahadah This is the pledge of faith a Muslim

makes. Pledge of faith to Allah and his prophet

Muhammad

Salat This means prayer. Muslims pray 5 major prayers a day.

This is obligatory.

Sawm This is the required fasting during the

month of Ramadan. Ramadan is not a holiday, it is a month

used to thank God and be good. They must fast everyday for one month

from dawn to dusk.

Zakat This is the required charity. (Donations

to the poor.) They must donate at least 2.5% of the

money they own to help the less fortunate.

Hajj This is a pilgrimage a Muslim must

make ones in his/her lifetime. They travel to Mecca and pray towards

the Kabah. They only need to do this if they have

enough money, and are healthy enough.

Holidays/Celebrations Muharram – The new year Mawlid an Nabi – This is the birth of the

Prophet Muhammad The two main Holidays are Eid al Fitr

and Eid al Adha. These are the equivalent to Christmas

for Christians.

Main Teachings There is one God (same God that Jew

and Christians worship Muhammad is the Messenger Be Peaceful They believe in Jesus as a prophet There is an afterlife (Heaven/Hell)

Symbols/Books The main symbol is the crescent and

star. Their version of the Red Cross is the Red

Crescent The main city is Mecca.

Women’s Role Own/Inherit Property Education Divorce Radical political movements have

limited these but these are what the actual religion allows.

Influence State Religion of the Caliphate,

Ottomans, Moors, Mughal Empire, many modern Arabic countries

Important religion of Mongol Empire Helped start the European Renaissance Arabic numerals (1,2,3 …) Preserved Classical Greek Literature

Sources Clark, Charles. Religions of the World Islam. San Diego; Lucent, 2002 Lunde, Paul. Islam Faith Culture History. NY; DK, 2002 Williams Julie. Islam Understanding the History, Beliefs and Culture.

Berkeley Heights, Enslow Inc. 2008 Beyer, Lisa. “The Women of Islam.” Time.com. 25 Nov. 2001. TIME

Magazine. 6 Dec 2011. <http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,185647,00.html>.

Caswell, Thomas. “Islam.” Regentstestprep.org. 2003. Oswego City School District. 6 Dec 2011. <http://www.regentsprep.org/Regents/global/themes/beliefsystems/islam.cfm >.