Muslim Civilization Section 1Muslim Civilization Section 1

Muslim Civilization Section 1Muslim Civilization Section 1

Preview

• Starting Points Map: Arabia

• Main Idea / Reading Focus

• The Arabian Peninsula

• Muhammad the Messenger

• Map: Islam in Arabia

• Basic Ideas of Islam

The Origins of Islam

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Reading Focus

• What was Arabia like at the time of Muhammad’s birth?

• What were Muhammad’s messages, and how were they received?

• What are some basic ideas of Islam?

Main Idea

Muhammad, a merchant whom Muslims believe was the last prophet, reported that he received messages from God. The religion he taught—Islam—drew many followers.

The Origins of Islam

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Arabia was sparsely populated 1,500 years ago. Small bands of bedouins moved their herds between scattered oases in the desert.

• Farming limited in Arabia

• Commerce lively– Trade routes converged at

Arabian Peninsula

– Ideas as well as merchandise exchanged

– Trade-dependent towns rose near coasts

• Mecca, near Red Sea, most important of coastal towns

The Setting• The Kaaba, cube-shaped

structure, at heart of Mecca

• 500s, already ancient, considered sacred

• Possible meteorite built into one wall, “relic from heaven”

• Idols of local gods inside

• Site drew religious pilgrims

• One god considered supreme: Allah

Religious Function

The Arabian Peninsula

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• Had always been religious man, but faiths of others probably also influenced Muhammad’s thinking

• Took frequent spiritual retreats

• Angel appeared to him during retreat, commanded him to speak messages from Allah

• Muhammad disturbed by visitation, unsure of meaning

• After more visits from angel, Muhammad concluded God had chosen him to be prophet

Muhammad’s Faith• Muhammad ibn Abd Allah born 570

• Parents died, Muhammad raised by uncle, powerful clan leader

• Grew up to have successful career in Mecca as merchant

• Married to older woman at age 25, fathered seven children, all but one of whom died young

• Met followers of Judaism, Christianity while traveling on business

Early Life

Muhammad the Messenger

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Messages

• Among many messages from angel, Muhammad reported Allah one and only true and all-powerful God

• Other messages, instructions on how to live to please Allah, live in paradise

Safety

• Many disliked Muhammad’s criticism of traditional beliefs in many gods

• Only protection of uncle kept him safe

• After uncle’s death Muhammad knew he and followers not safe in Mecca

Public Preaching

• Muhammad originally told only wife, few friends about experiences

• Began to preach in public after about three years, attracted many followers

• Some powerful Meccans did not accept teachings

The Revelations

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Hegira

• 622, Muhammad moved to Yathrib, came to be called Medina, “the Prophet’s City”; journey from Mecca to Medina came to be known as hegira

• Later Muslims marked year of hegira as first year of Islamic calendar

Mecca

• People of Mecca who wanted Muhammad stopped did not give up

• Fought several battles with Muhammad, followers, ultimately lost ground

• 630, Muhammad controlled Mecca, influence unmatched

Building Faith

• Muhammad spent decade building community of fellow believers

• Called faith Islam, meaning “achieving peace through submission to God”

• Followers known as Muslims

Sharing the Revelations

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Muslim Civilization Section 1Muslim Civilization Section 1

Sequence

What events led up to Muhammad’s taking control of Mecca?

Answer(s): Muhammad moved to Medina, number of followers grew; Meccans fought him and his followers but lost

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• As Muhammad gained political power, revelations continued

• Muhammad could not read, write; recited revelations

• Followers memorized words, some wrote them down

• Writings Muslims believe as direct revelations from God collected in Qur’an, sacred test of Islam

• Muslims read from Qur’an to hear Allah’s teachings

• Seek religious experience in rhythm, beauty of words

• Full meaning known only in original Arabic language

• Translations not true representation

Qur’an• Five basic acts of worship central to

Islam, Five Pillars of Islam

• Profession of faith

• Performance of five daily prayers

• Giving of alms to poor, needy

• Fasting during month of Ramadan

• Make pilgrimage to Mecca

Five Pillars of Islam

Basic Ideas of Islam

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Profession of Faith• “There is no god but God…”

• By affirmation, Muslim signals acceptance of the faith

• Denies existence of other gods, accepts Muhammad as prophet

Giving Alms to Poor, Needy• Muslims supposed to give

percentage of income to charity

• Even those with little encouraged to help others

Five Daily Prayers• Worshippers say daily prayers

five times during day

• Always face Mecca to pray, no matter where they are

Fasting During Ramadan• Muslims required to go without

food, drink, dawn to dusk

• Ramadan when Muhammad began to report messages written down in Qur’an

Five Pillars of Islam

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Mecca

Pilgrimage to Mecca

• Muslims physically, financially able required to go to Mecca

• Journey called the hajj

– Gather to pray in mosque

– Perform various rituals, walk seven times around Kaaba

– Climb Mount Arafat, site of Muhammad’s last sermon

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Sunna and Sharia

• Record of Muhammad’s behavior, teachings known as Sunna, “tradition,” provides guidance in personal relationships, business

• Muslim legal system known as Sharia, reflects various rules by which Muslims should live, outlines method of reasoning, argument for legal cases, made up of opinions, writings over several centuries

Guidelines for Behavior

• Qur’an provides guidelines for moral behavior

• Muslims may not eat pork, drink alcohol, must wash before praying

• Qur’an prohibits murder, lying, stealing

• Requires jihad, to defend Muslim community, also means “holy war”

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People of the Book

• Islam monotheistic like Jewish, Christian faiths

• Islamic beliefs:

– Allah the same as God in Jewish, Christian traditions

– Abraham, Moses, Jesus messengers from God

– Muhammad, last of God’s prophets

– Qur’an represents God’s final message

– Muslims told to respect Jews, Christians as “people of the book;” share tradition of prophets who taught, received God’s revelations

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Summarize

What are the acts of worship required of all Muslims?

Answer(s): The Five Pillars of Islam—profession of faith, five daily prayers, giving of alms, fasting during Ramadan, and the hajj