Power Point 10 Slides--The Origin and Rise of Islam and Muslim Culture

Question 1

What do Muslims believe about God?

Answer 1

Muslims are strict monotheists. (one God)

They believe in an all-powerful God whom they call Allah.

This is the same “God” as the Judeo- Christian God.

Question 2

Who was Muhammad in Islamic beliefs?

Answer 2

Muslims believe that Muhammad is the (corrected; perfected) Messenger of God

Question 3

What is the sacred text of Islam?

Answer 3

The Qur’an is the TRUE word of God. It is the definitive and final word of God.

Question 4

What do Muslims believe about the sacred texts of Christianity and Judaism?

Answer 4

The Jewish Torah and the Christian Bible are ‘godly inspired works’; however, they are misinterpretations of God’s message and they are not the final revelations.

Question 5

What are the three “revealed” religions and who is the main patriarchal figure, or founder, for all of them?

Answer 5

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Their founding patriarch is Abraham.

Question 6

Who are Isaac and Ishmael?

Answer 6

They were the sons of Abraham.

Isaac was the ancestor of the 12 tribes of Israel. Ishmael was the ancestor of the 12 tribes of Islam.

Question 7

What does Islam think about the prophets?

Answer 7

They believe Moses, the founder of Judaism, and Jesus, the founder of Christianity, were both prophets but their followers misinterpreted their messages.

Question 8

According to Islam, what is the role of Muhammad?

Answer 8

Muhammad is the final prophet and his revelation of the Koran is the final interpretation of God’s message.

Question 9

In what part of the world did Islam begin?

Answer 9

Arabia

Question 10

What city was Muhammad born in?

Answer 10

Mecca

Question 11

To which city did Muhammad make his pilgrimage with his followers?

Answer 11

Medina

Question 12

What was the geography like in the region where Muhammad was born and lived?

Answer 12

It was very arid (dry) and was a harsh environment. Very little land can be farmed.

Question 13

How was life organized socially where Muhammad grew up?

Answer 13

It was a Tribal Organization:
Bedouin Tribes Fought over scarce resources
Patriarchal (headed by men)
Hierarchical (levels of status)
Life (Thinking) was in communal Groups; not individually

Question 14

What was Muhammad’s life like up to the year 610?

Answer 14

Born around 570
Orphaned
Adopted by his uncle
Rose to leadership position in Quraysh Tribe
Known as Muhammad al-Amin--faithful and trustworthy
Married a well off widow Khadija
Very wealthy but deeply unsatisfied 
Would go on retreats to pray at Mt. Hira

Question 15

What happened to Muhammad in the Cave of Hira in 610?

Answer 15

The Angel Gabriel appeared to him.
Very unclear in the sources what happens to him during the “Revelations” but Islam is revealed to him
He is told to share this revelation with others
(Has he been exposed to Christian and Jewish sources before this happens?)
Revelations will happen again and again in his life.
Lead to a trance where he recites messages.

Question 16

What does Islam literally mean?

Answer 16

Literally means: “Submission with peace to the “Will of Allah”

Question 17

When compared to the other “revealed” faiths, what is unique about Islam?

Answer 17

Compared to Judaism and Christianity, it spread very quickly.

Question 18

What do Muslims believe about the Qu’ran?

Answer 18

it contains the word of Allah given to Muhammad over 22 years from the Angel Gabriel
It is the final word of God.
It is ALL-INCLUSIVE and NON-NEGOTIABLE
No councils to determine God’s “meaning”
No Separation between “Church” and “State”
The Religious Leaders are the Government
Your ENTIRE LIFE (what you eat, what you wear, how you speak, how to properly conduct yourself, etc.) is all guided by the Qur’an.

Question 19

When is the Qu’ran written down?

Answer 19

650’s–after Muhammad died–but it is still closer to the prophet’s life than the Gospels in relation to the life of Jesus.
Written by people who spoke to Muhammad and memorized his revelations.

Question 20

How many chapters are there in the Qu’ran?

Answer 20

114–called Surahs.

Question 21

What is the Sunna?

Answer 21

The written practices of Muhammad–how he lived his life. These became the tradition that must be followed in living life for all Muslims. Governs all aspects of life.

Question 22

What is Dar al Islam?

Answer 22

The community of Muslim believers.

Question 23

What holds the community of believers together?

Answer 23

The Community is held up by the faithful’s sense of Responsibility to follow the 5 Pillars of the Islamic faith.

Question 24

The first pillar of Islam is The Shahada? What is it?

Answer 24

The testimony
 The declaration of faith:
God is most great.
- There is no god but God. 
- Muhammad is the messenger of God.

(“Allahu Akbar” are the Arabic words for “God is most Great”)

Question 25

What is The Salat?

Answer 25

The Second Pillar of Islam:
The mandatory prayers performed 5 times a day:
* dawn * noon * late afternoon * sunset
* before going to bed
Must Wash hands and feet before praying.
Must Face Mecca & use a prayer rug.
Muslims formally pray in the mosque as a community on Fridays

Question 26

The Third Pillar of Islam is the Zakat–which is?

Answer 26

Almsgiving (charitable donations).
Devout Muslims believe that all things belong to God.
5 to 10% of your income annually

Question 27

The 4th Pillar of Islam is the Sawm? What is it?

Answer 27

Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan  (August/September)
Considered a method of self-purification.
Derived from the Sunna of Muhammad (tradition)
No eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.

Question 28

Can you describe the 5th Pillar of Islam–.The Hajj?

Answer 28

The pilgrimage to Mecca

Must circle the Ka’ba 7 times to re-enact the capturing of Mecca by Muhammad’s Islamic army in 630

Must be done at least once in a devout Muslim’s lifetime

2-3 million Muslims make the pilgrimage every year

Question 29

Can you briefly list the 5 Pillars of Islam?

Answer 29

1. Declaration of Faith
2. Prayer 5 times a day
3. Almsgiving
4. Fasting during holy month of Ramadan
5. Pilgrimage to Mecca

Question 30

Islam spread very rapidly to what areas?

Answer 30

Arabian Peninsula
Northern Africa
Spain
Persian Empire
Northern India
Central Asia
Caucasus (between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea)

Question 31

Where were the Muslim forces held back after a long siege?

Answer 31

Constantinople