The Arabian PeninsulaThe Arabian PeninsulaMostly desertFew oases of fertile land for agricultureCrossroads of three continents: Africa, Europe, Asia

Early InhabitantsEarly InhabitantsBedouins Arab nomadsTribes & groups called clans

Provided security & supportIdeals of courage & loyalty to family

600s – Arabs settled near oases or markets

MeccaMeccaImportant trade cityKa’aba ancient shrine (Black Rock)

Brought religious pilgrims for worshipAssociated w/AbrahamContained over 360 idols, worship of many gods

Origins of IslamOrigins of IslamMuhammad – Meccan businessmanReceived revelation from angel Gabriel outside the Cave of Hira in 610Proclaim! In the name of they Lord and Cherisher, who created man out of a mere) clot of congealed blood. Proclaim! And thy Lord is most bountiful. He who taught (the use of) the pen taught man that which he knew not.

He was one of the prophets

Religion of IslamReligion of IslamArabic term for God = AllahIslam = “submission to the will of Allah”Muslim = “one who has submitted”

ABRAHAMABRAHAM SARAHSARAHHAGARHAGAR

IsaacIsaac

EsauEsauJacobJacob

12 Tribes of Israel

12 Tribes of Israel

Ishmael

Ishmael

12 Arabian Tribes

12 Arabian Tribes

Abraham’s GenealogyAbraham’s Genealogy

The Prophetic Tradition

The Prophetic Tradition

Adam

Noah

Abraham

Moses

Jesus

Muhammad

The HijrahThe Hijrah622 - migrated from Mecca to Yathrib – known as the HijrahYathrib was renamed MedinaIt is from this year that the Muslim calendar begins (1 A.H.)Attracted many followers in Medina

Return to Mecca (630 AD)Return to Mecca (630 AD)Muhammad became military leader – conquered Mecca Umma = Muslim religious communityMuhammad died at age 62 w/no plans for his succession

The golden gate outside Muhammad’s tomb

Swords belonging to Prophet Muhammad

The Dome of the RockThe Dome of the Rock

The Five Pillars

The Five PillarsThe WorldThe Worldof Islamof Islam

The WorldThe Worldof Islamof Islam

11 22 33 44 55

The Five Pillars of The Five Pillars of IslamIslam 1) Shahada – “there is no

God but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah”

2) Salat – Pray 5x’s a day facing Mecca

3) Zakat – almsgiving to the poor & sick

4) Sawm – fasting during Ramadan

Festival of Eid-Al-Fitr – celebration at end of Ramadan

5) Hajj – pilgrimage to Mecca

Mosque = Islamic house of worship

The MosqueThe Mosque The Muslim place of worship.

The Qur’anThe Qur’an Muslims believe it contains the

word of God.

114 suras (chapters)

In the name of Allah, In the name of Allah, the compassionate, the compassionate, the merciful. the merciful.

Written in Arabic.

An Afghan artist and his students display an oversized page from the Koran at the Naser Khusro Balkhi Library during an opening ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Jan. 12, 2012. The Naser Khusro Balkhi Library was founded by The Aga Khan Foundation in Kabul.(MSNBC) Shah Marai / AFP - Getty Images

Islamic Way of LifeIslamic Way of LifeNo priests – only authority is AllahPurpose of serving the communityNo pork, alcoholUlama – scholar class

ImamsSunna – Muhammad’s example as model for proper livingShari’a = Islamic body of law

The Spread of IslamThe Spread of Islam Easy to learn and practice

No priesthood

Teaches equality

Non-Muslims, who were “Peoples of the Book,” were allowed religious freedom, but paid additional taxes

Easily “portable” nomads & trade routes

Jihad (“Holy War”) against pagans and other non-believers (“infidels”)

Muslims in the WorldToday

Muslims in the WorldToday

Countries with the Largest Muslim

Population

Countries with the Largest Muslim

Population1. Indonesia 183,000,00

06. Iran 62,000,000

2. Pakistan 134,000,000

7. Egypt 59,000,000

3. India 121,000,000

8. Nigeria 53,000,000

4. Bangladesh

114,000,000

9. Algeria 31,000,000

5. Turkey 66,000,000 10. Morocco 29,000,000* Arabs make up only 20% of the total Muslim population of the

world.