World Religions Islam

Rank

2

% worldwide

24%

% in US

1%

Muhammad Birth year

570 AD in Mecca (modern day Saudi Arabia)

Muhammad Life story

His father died before he was born, his mother when he was 6, his grandpa at 8, and he is adopted by his uncle after that. His early life is characterized by tragic loss, instability, and vulnerability. This experience leads a great concern for orphans and widows later in life.

Character-- sweet and gentle disposition. He was sensitive to the suffering of others. He was known for being true and trustworthy. But he did not approve of the lack of morality in his city.

Muhammad First wife

At 25 he became a caravan driver and entered into the service of the wealthy widow Khadija. She became his best friend. They eventually fall in love and get married, even though she was 15 years his senior. While married to her, Muhammad never took another wife. They have 4 daughters who survive to adulthood.

What is the Night of Power and what revelation did Muhammad receive?

In 610, Muhammad experiences the moment which shapes the rest of his life. Known as the Night of Power, this evening Muhammad was in his cave on Mt. Hira, praying, and experienced the Angel Gabriel appeared to him, telling him: “Recite!” (also translated as “read”)

At first Muhammad says he cannot, but on the 3rd command, Muhammad begins reciting the words of God. What he realizes is that Allah is the ONLY god, not one of many.

Allah, the word itself, means “The God,” and Muhammad realizes that all the other gods in Mecca are merely idols, powerless and ineffectual.

Muhammad's revelation was the receiving of the Quran, the holy book of Islam, from God (Allah) through the angel Gabriel (Jibril)

What does the word “islam” mean?

“surrender” or “submit”

Is there original sin in Islam?

no

What direction do Muslims face when they pray?

Mecca

What does Allah mean?

“the God”

Do Muslims depict Allah?

No, there are no pictures or paintings

What is the Kaaba? What was it like before Muhammad reclaimed it?

The Kaaba is a big black box in the middle of the Great Mosque

Muhammad reclaimed the Kaaba and removed all of the icons and idols that were in it

Did Muhammad improve or hurt the status of women?

improve

What does Islam teach about women?

On a societal level, Islam affirms the rights of women to maintain their identities, property, and dignity throughout their lives. Even after marriage, a Muslim woman's name remains her own; she is not obligated or expected to adopt her husband's surname

What is a hijab? In what ways is it cultural?

a headscarf worn by many Muslim women that covers the hair, neck, and shoulders, often as a symbol of modesty and religious identity. Its cultural significance is multifaceted: it can be an expression of personal faith, a rejection of Western beauty standards, a statement of cultural identity, a fashion item, or a legal requirement in some places. The meaning and way it is worn vary widely by region and individual.

Women do not have to wear it

What does “Quran” mean?

“recitation”

What is its equivalent in Christianity?

Jesus

What language must it be in and why?

Arabic

It cannot be translated and retain its sacred status. An English translation of the Quran is not considered sacred.

How is Jesus viewed?

A prophet, NOT the Son of God

How is Mary viewed?

a holy and pious woman who was chosen by God to bear Jesus

Mary is not considered a divine being or a goddess, but rather as a righteous and virtuous woman who was chosen by God to bear Jesus

Biblically, who are Muslims traced back to, and through which son?

Abraham, through Ishmael

What is a mosque?

open spaces for praying

Why is Mecca important?

considered sacred as the birth place of Muhammad, and the location of the Grand Mosque and Kaaba

When do Muslims go to mosque?

Muslims can go to mosque to pray during any of the 5 times a day, but the one attended by most Muslims is on Friday

What is Ramadan?

Lunar month of fasting for Muslims–no food, drinks, sex, smoking, nothing from sun up to sun down

What percent of the World’s Muslims identify as Sunni?

85-90%

Defining features of Sunni

Follow the “Sunnah” or the practices and teachings of Muhammad as recorded in the Hadith

The caliph should be chosen by consensus and not necessarily a descendant

What percent of the World’s Muslims identify as Shia?

10-15%

Defining features of Shia

Leadership should have passed down through Muhammad’s family

Special reverence for imams as spiritual leaders

When did Sufi originate?

7th and 8th century AD

How is Sufi different?

Mystical and ascetic branch focused on the inner, spiritual dimension of the religion

Believe more in the importance of the relationship rather than the rules

What is Islamism?

Political ideology that advocates for the reorganization of government and society in accordance with Islamic law

Is Islamism the same as Islam?

NO–one is a religion, one is a political ideology

Essay: What is Islam (problem, solution, technique--including explaining each of the five pillars)?

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