Monotheism

ISLAM

RISE OF ISLAM

•Who are the Arabs?

•Semitic people like Phoenicians, Jews,Egyptians, Syrians

•Tradition - son of Abraham throughIshmael

•Roman times - many were Bedouin- livedin desert, usually tribal and polytheistic

•revered Black meteor Ka’ba in Mecca

FOUNDER MUHAMMED 570-632

•Married wealthy widow, managed trade

•Received a message from Gabriel (angel)

•with a new revelation to follow Judaism andChristianity

•spent time in desert contemplating

•returned to convert others – trouble

•Hijra: 622 A.D he left and went to Medina.

•Turning point for Islam - many converts here

FOUNDER MOHAMMED 570-632

•Muhammad returned to Mecca in 630 A.D.

•Destroyed idols in Kaaba

•United Arabs under Islam

•Muhammad died in 632 A.D. but Islam has growninto one of the world’s largest religions.

BELIEFS OF ISLAM

•Qur’an (Koran)- basis sacred book, ethical guide

•Five Pillars

•One God and his name is Allah(Mohammed is his prophet)

•Pray 5 x a day facing Mecca

•Fast during daylight during Ramadan

•Pilgrimage to Mecca - once in life time

•Give alms to the poor

•Laws- no alcohol, pork, dishonest

•Belief in being hospitable

SPREAD OF ISLAM

•Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s father-in-law waschosen as his successor (caliph)

•Ali – Muhammad’s son-in-law (Shiites)

•Leader must come from Muhammad’s daughter

•Others felt any good, devoted male fromMuhammad’s tribe could be leader (Sunnis)

•Today 90% of Muslims are Sunni.

THROUGH THE CENTURIES