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Vocabulary

• Mecca• Kaaba• Quran• Sharia• Hijra• Mosque• Hajj• jihad

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Islam

• Religion founded by Muhammad in the 7th Century A.D.

• Is both a religion and a government• Islam means to ‘surrender’ or ‘submission’– Believer fully submits to the will of Allah

• Religion is mainly centered in the Middle East, North Africa, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

• Has many variations– Sunnis– Shi'ism

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Muhammad

• Born in Mecca (Saudi Arabia)

• In his early life he was poor and an orphan

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Muhammad

• 610 A.D – while in his 40’s, had visions from God that put him in a trance-like state

• Allah told him he was a messenger equal to the prophets – Abraham, Noah, and Jesus

• He was persecuted in Mecca so he fled to Medina, Saudi Arabia in 622 A.D.

• Followers their believed in him and allowed him to strengthen his power.

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Muhammad

• Died in 632 A.D. without an heir.

• Islamic followers split into two main groups.– Sunnis– Shi’ite

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Five Pillars of Islam

• Belief that there is no other God but Allah• Ritual Prayer five times day• Giving to the poor• Fasting and self-control during the holy month

of Ramadan– Ninth month of the lunar calendar

• Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime if one is able.

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Jihad• Some Muslims add a sixth tenet.• Means struggle or holy war• Could be as simple as balancing work and daily

prayer• To Impose belief practices on non-Muslims– Some believe it allows them to oppress/kill others– Only a small minority practice this belief

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Sacred Text

• The will of Allah was revealed to Muhammad and recorded in the Koran (Qu’ran)

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Ramadan

• 4th Pillar is the Fast of Ramadan• Believers not allowed eat, drink, or smoke

during daylight hours. • Believe is that Allah revealed the words of the

Koran to Muhammad during this month. • Last 10 days spend studying the Koran – no

working or sexual relations• Businesses in Muslim nations close during the

day.

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Last days spend with family and can correspond to Christmas and Hanukkah

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Pilgrimage to Mecca

• Exist in two forms– Hajj– Umra

• Hajj can only be done the second week of the 12th month of the Muslim year

• Umra pilgrimage can be taken at any time.

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Hajj

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Hajj

• Ritual cleansings, prayers at various locations, the throwing of seven pebbles to denounce evil.

• Walk seven times counter clockwise around the Kaaba

• Kaaba is the holiest site in Islam

• During daily prayers must face the Kaaba ( Mecca)

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Women in Islam

• Women play no part in Islamic public worship

• If at Mosque, remain in back corner or balcony

• Women must dress modestly – with head scarf

• in some countries required to wear a burqa – which covers everything but eyes.

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Sunni / Shiite

• The Shiites, a small minority representing about 10% of Muslims today, believe that Ali ibn Abi Talib was the true spiritual and political heir to Muhammad.

• The Sunni majority, on the other hand, recognizes the first four caliphs and Ali, son-in-law of Muhammad—as the rightful successors to Muhammad.

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Sunni Islam

• Sunnis follow the sunna or customary practice & teachings of the prophet Muhammad.

• The sunna supplements the Quran to avoid misinterpretation of it.

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Shiite Islam

• Shiite means ‘party of Ali’• Doctrine is characterized by the recognition of

imams – spiritual leaders of the Muslim community.

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Sunni Shiite

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Sharia Law

• Body of laws that interpret the Quran and apply it to daily life.

• Regulates moral conduct, family life, business practices and government

• It does not separate religious matters from criminal & civil law.

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Homework Questions

• What are the five pillars of Islam?• What is the main disagreement between

Sunnis and Shiites?• How do the Quran and Sharia law guide the

lives of Muslims?