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Islam
Pre-Islamic Life
• Rural Life– Bedouins – Nomadic tribes
• Fairly violent society– Tribes & Clans– Status is from the group
• Urban Life– Mecca: Trade Center / Land of Haram
• Not as violent– Status is from wealth– No concern for poor/weak
Pre-Islamic Religion
• Polytheism – Many gods & goddesses– Creator god present in pantheon
• Not worshipped by many
• Animism– Spirits in the world
• Inhabit rocks, trees, valleys, free-flowing, etc.
• Judaism & Christianity known
Muhammad – The Final Prophet
• Muhammad – born 570 ce– Quraysh tribe / Hashim
Clan – Orphaned young
• Raised by uncle
• Marries Khadijah– Excellent marriage
• Fatima
• Disturbed by Society
– Upset by poverty– Moral system not adequate– Goes to meditate / pray
Night of Power
• 610 – Angel Gabriel visits M. while he meditates
• Tells M. to “recite”
• Foundation of the Qur’an – suras
Fundamental Beliefs
• Monotheistic belief– Only God is worthy of worship
• Polytheism gives other “beings” worship
• Last Judgment– Deeds in life will be judged
• Theocentric purpose for life
– Bodily resurrection• No body/soul dichotomy
• Five Pillars of Islam
The Five Pillars of Islam
• Recitation of the Muslim act of faith– There is no God but God, and M. is his prophet
• Obligation of prayer– 5 times a day – facing Mecca
• Charity– 1/40th income
• Fasting during Ramadan– Daylight hours
• Pilgrimage (Haj)
Hegria
• Muhammad escapes Mecca
• Goes to Medina to start an Islamic society
• Islam – submission to God
• Muslim – one who submits
Battle of Badr - 623
• New Umma in Medina
• Battles with Mecca show divine support– Peace treaties with
• Conquered Mecca – Jan. 11, 624
Rule Under Caliphs
Practices of Islam
• No pork, alcohol – halal
• Male circumcision
• Polygamy acceptable/ Monogamy ideal
• Usury forbidden
• Observation of feast days
• Simplicity and asceticism– Rapid growth and spread of religion
Main Sects of Islam
• Sunni and Shi’a traditions
• Sufism = mystical dimension of Islam– Sheyks and disciples– Retirement in poverty– Piety and repentance
Sufi Dancing
Sufi Writers
• Rumi
– Persian poems (rhyming couplets)
– Discourses on mystical experiences
– Recitation and movement (dervishes)
Modern Islam
• Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Empire
• World War I
• Modern Islamic states– Variations in social expression