ISLAMRise, Triumph, Stagnation

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Arabia, 610

Islamic Caliphate, 732

Islam, today

Who was Muhammad?

He was the son of Abdullah He was orphaned as a young boy He was raised in the Quaraysh tribe in

Mecca He encountered many different types of

people

Muhammad's Revelation

Revelation was from the same God as the God of the Jews and the God of the Christians

Revelation occurred over many years Revelation called for compassion, community and submission

Arkan al-Islam (Five Pillars)

Shahadah – Profession of Faith “There is no God but God, and Muhammad is

his Prophet.” Salah– Ritual Prayer

Five times a day, facing the Ka’aba in Mecca Sawn – Fasting during

Ramadan Abstaining from eating, drinking and sex during day light hours

More Arkan al-Islam

Hajj – Pilgrimage to Mecca Journey to Mecca once a lifetime if able

Zakat – Charitable Giving Tithing 1/40 of accumulated wealth Voluntary giving called Sadaqah

Even more Arkan al-Islam

Aqidah al-Islam (Beliefs)

Tawhid – strict belief in one just one God Qadar – God knows already all that will

ever happen, thus ALL is predestined Malak – Angels are God’s messengers, they lack free will and are thus less than humanity

More Aqidah al-Islam

Anbiya – Prophets are the agents of God who have delivered his message over time

Qiyama – On the day of Resurrection, all will be judged by God

and the righteous will go to Paradise

Even more Aqidah al-Islam

Muslim Values include… Maintaining the self as a temple to God

Islam teaches individuals to live moral lives Loving the Family

Islam teaches individuals to value family Serving Community

Islam stresses hospitality and generosity Islam expects charity to be offered to the less

fortunate Submission to God

Islam teaches that to submit to the will of God is to receive God into your heart and to enjoy God’s Judgment

Sharia

Sharia is the Law of Islam Sharia is derived from…

Qur’an – the Word of God, revealed to Muhammad, Muslim scripture

Hadith – the Word of Muhammad, spoken to his followers

Sunnah – the traditions Muslims normally follow Different groups of Muslims interpret the Law differently

Caliphate

After Muhammad died, his successors created a vast empire called the Caliphate The Caliphate was led by the Caliph

(successor) The Caliph was both a religious and political

leader

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Caliphs lost their independence in 1261 After 1258 Caliphs were only religious leaders Political power was held by Sultans (Emperors) The last Caliph was removed in 1924

Abu Bakr Ali al-Musta-sim Abdulmecid II

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The Caliphate ushered in a lengthy period of peace, prosperity and tolerance

Knowledge expanded due to places like the house of Wisdom

Wealth exploded due to key inventions Paper Currency Letters of Credit Multi-nodal Banking

Islam Today

Women in Islam

Before Islam, Arab women had relatively more rights than other women in the world

Muhammad’s teachings made the place of women even more secure The Quran stresses modesty for both men and

women During Muhammad’s lifetime, his wives wore

Hijab After Muhammad’s death, other women

adopted Hijab

Hijab

More Woman in Islam

When Islam expanded, outside influences made worse the treatment of women Mesopotamian traditions denied basic rights to

women – the were considered property Persians generally did not accept this – Persian Women

continue to be treated better than many Muslim women

Today women in Islamic countries often have restrictions placed on them and few rights In some societies they cannot drive a car In some societies they cannot go out in public alone In some societies they are denied education In some societies they cannot own property

Burqa

Education