Islam

Global Studies 9Mrs. Hart and Mrs. Bernier

Roots of Islam: Region of Origin• Islam was

founded on the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East in 622 A.D. by the Prophet Mohammad.

Roots of Islam: Founder, Prophet Mohammed

• Mohammed was from the city of Mecca, where he was a merchant. According to tradition, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and told him that there was only one god, and he was Allah (Arabic word for God).

Roots of Islam: The Hijra• Mohammed’s first

convert to Islam was his wife. Afterward he tried to convert others, but they became angry with him and tried to kill him. Mohammed and his followers fled from Mecca to Medina. This journey was called the hijra.

Roots of Islam: Mohammed’s Return to Mecca

• In Medina, thousands of people converted to Islam. In 630 A.D. Mohammed returned to Mecca, destroyed the idols worshipped by the people in the city, and worked to unite all Arabs under Islam.

Islam Today• Today Islam is the fastest growing religion in

the world. By 2012, experts think that it will be the most popular religion in the world. People who follow Islam are called Muslims.

Islam’s Teachings and Beliefs: The Five Pillars

• All Muslims accept five basic duties known as the Five Pillars of Islam. They are

1. There is only one god, and he is Allah. 2. Muslims must pray five times a day, facing the city of Mecca.

Islam’s Teachings and Beliefs: The Five Pillars

3. Muslims should give money to the poor.4. Muslims must fast from sun-up to sun-down during

the holy month of Ramadan.5. Muslims must try to visit Mecca, the holy city of Islam, at least once in their life-times.

Islam’s Teachings and Beliefs: Jihad

Jihad is another belief of Islam. It means to struggle in God’s service. Some Muslims have

interpreted this to mean “holy war” against non-Muslims.

Islamic Teachings and Beliefs: The Mosque

• Muslims worship in a building called a mosque. Five times a day, the muezzin, a mosque official, give the call for prayer.

Islam’s Sacred Writings: The Quran

The Quran is the holy book of Islam, containing the sacred words of Allah, as revealed to Mohammed.

Islamic Law: The Sharia The Islamic system of law is called the Sharia. It

was developed by Muslim scholars, who interpreted the Quran, and applied its teachings to everyday life. It contains both civil and criminal law.

Branches of Islam: The Sunni

After Mohammed died, divisions arose among the followers of Islam. A branch of Islam called the Sunni developed because they believed that the caliph, or successor to Mohammed, should be chosen by the leaders of Islam.

Branches of Islam: The Shiites Another branch of

Islam developed because other Muslims felt that the caliph should be a direct descendent of Mohammed’s daughter

and son-in-law, Fatima and Ali.

Branches of Islam: The Sufis A third branch of Islam emerged with a

group called the Sufis. They were mystics who looked to be one with Allah through meditation, fasting, and other religious rituals.