Islam began with the prophet Muhammad, who received revelations from God that were recorded in the Quran. The key beliefs and practices of Islam are articulated in the Five Pillars: the shahadah (declaration of faith), salat (prayer), zakat (charity), sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). Islam spread rapidly after Muhammad established the first Muslim community in Medina in 610 CE due to the zeal of new converts and because the Islamic armies were able to defeat the weakened Byzantine and Sasanid empires.

1. Islam: An Introduction

2. Islam Islam = Peace or surrendering Monotheistic Prophets - Muhammad last prophet Divine scriptures defining Last Judgment “ The unbelievers among the People of the Book and the pagans shall burn for ever in the fire fire of Hell” God’s will supreme

3. In the beginning… Allah created earth in Genesis Adam -> Noah -> Shem (Semite) -> Abraham -> Sarah -> Isaac (Jewish faith) Isaac stayed in Palestine Abraham -> Hagar -> Ishmael (Islam faith)

4. In the beginning… Ishmael went to where Mecca was to rise Hagar and Ishmael were banished after Isaac was born

5. Muhammad 610 A.D. Angel Gabriel speaks to him “ You are the appointed one” The final prophet, the “seal of the prophets” Received Qur’an Considered his miracle

6. From Refugee… 610 C.E. Fled to Medina, converted town “ City of the prophet” Migration = Hijra Muslim calendar First community connected by faith

7. … To Conqueror Masterful politician Ideal blend of justice and mercy Made peace for five tribes (including three Jewish) Returned to Mecca 8 years later as conqueror Died 632 A. D. (10 A.H. After the Hijra)

8. Texts/Laws Sharia - Islamic law, draws no distinction between religious and secular life Qur’an - Words of God as told by Muhammad. Fixed impurities in other docs (i.e. Bible) Hadith - Sayings, teachings, and accounts of Muhammad

9. The Five Pillars The Shahadah - “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is His Prophet.” Prayer- Five times a day Charity/Alms Ramadan - Islam’s holy month Pilgrimage to Mecca - At least once during lifetime

10. Jihad Sometimes called sixth pillar More than “holy war” A struggle to achieve the ways of Allah Modern extremists use concept to rationalize and legitimize acts

11. General Divisions Sunnis About 85% of Muslims Leaders chosen through consensus The sharia was codified and closed by 10th century Shi’ites/Shia/Shii About 15% of Muslims Islam’s leader should be a descendent of Mohammad Religious leaders have authority to interpret sharia

12. Significance? Youngest universal faith 8th century to Renaissance, Arabic the language of mathematics and science Through political authority of dar-al-Islam and the sharia, Islam developed into a way of life derived from religious principles.

13. Big Question How was the Islam religion able to spread to far and so quickly?

14. Big Question Zeal of new converts Attacked weakened Byzantine and Sasanid territories Overtaxed peasants and oppressed ethnic minorities in empires wished for change All equal before Allah