Islam

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Islam

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Pre-Islamic Life

• Rural Life
• Bedouins Nomadic tribes
• Fairly violent society
• Tribes Clans
• Status is from the group
• Urban Life
• Mecca Trade Center / Land of Haram
• Not as violent
• Status is from wealth
• No concern for poor/weak

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Pre-Islamic Religion

• Polytheism
• Many gods goddesses
• Creator god present in pantheon
• Not worshipped by many
• Animism
• Spirits in the world
• Inhabit rocks, trees, valleys, free-flowing, etc.
• Judaism Christianity known

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Muhammad The Final Prophet

• Muhammad born 570 ce
• Quraysh tribe / Hashim Clan 
• Orphaned young
• Raised by uncle
• Marries Khadijah
• Excellent marriage
• Fatima
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• Disturbed by Society
• Upset by poverty
• Moral system not adequate
• Goes to meditate / pray

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Night of Power

• 610 Angel Gabriel visits M. while he meditates
• Tells M. to recite
• Foundation of the Quran
• suras

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Fundamental Beliefs

• Monotheistic belief
• Only God is worthy of worship
• Polytheism gives other beings worship
• Last Judgment
• Deeds in life will be judged
• Theocentric purpose for life
• Bodily resurrection
• No body/soul dichotomy
• Five Pillars of Islam

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The Five Pillars of Islam

• Recitation of the Muslim act of faith
• There is no God but God, and M. is his prophet
• Obligation of prayer
• 5 times a day facing Mecca
• Charity
• 1/40th income
• Fasting during Ramadan
• Daylight hours
• Pilgrimage (Haj)

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Hegria

• Muhammad escapes Mecca
• Goes to Medina to start an Islamic society
• Islam submission to God
• Muslim one who submits

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Battle of Badr - 623

• New Umma in Medina
• Battles with Mecca show divine support
• Peace treaties with
• Conquered Mecca Jan. 11, 624

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Rule Under Caliphs
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Practices of Islam

• No pork, alcohol halal
• Male circumcision
• Polygamy acceptable/ Monogamy ideal
• Usury forbidden
• Observation of feast days
• Simplicity and asceticism
• Rapid growth and spread of religion

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Main Sects of Islam

• Sunni and Shia traditions
• Sufism mystical dimension of Islam
• Sheyks and disciples
• Retirement in poverty
• Piety and repentance

• Sufi Dancing

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Sufi Writers

• Rumi
• Persian poems (rhyming couplets)
• Discourses on mystical experiences
• Recitation and movement (dervishes)

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Modern Islam

• Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Empire
• World War I
• Modern Islamic states
• Variations in social expression