History of Islam Quest Pt. 4 - Religion

Allah

The god in which Muslims believe in

Islam

Monotheistic religion where Allah is God and started w/ Prophet Muhammad in middle east

Muslim

Someone who practices/follows Islam

Ka'aba

• Cube located in Mecca where Muslims travel to during Hajj

• Muslims circle the kaaba during visit to Mecca

• Muslims pray toward it/Mecca

• Square building draped with silk veil/holiest shrine in Islam

Qur’an

Holy book of Islam - revelations given to Muhammad by Allah

Mosque

Islamic place of worship and where Muslims gather for prayer

Five Pillars

1. Declaring faith in God/Prophet Muhammad (Shahada)

2. Praying everyday (Salat)

3. Fasting during Ramadan (Sawm)

4. Giving to the poor (Zakat)

5. Pilgrimmage to mecca (Hajj)

Shiite Islam

• 10-15%

• Ali was 1st true caliph

• Caliphs = descendent of Muhammad

• Ashura = holiday, whipping oneself

Sunni Islam

• 85-90%

• Believed 4 rightly guided caliphs were all politically legitimate

• Relaxed hierarchy

• More flexible

Monotheism

• Belief in only one god

Ideology of Conquest

• Conquest in name of caliphate led to its spread

• When caliphate conquered new areas, did not force islam onto those people

  • muslim culture still often merged with local culture

Hadith

• Important text

• Collection of reports about the Prophet and his companions from early Muslims

• Shiite and Sunni Hadith = different

Twelver Schiism Belief

• Shiite Islam

• The belief that there was a line of 12 imams that were appointed by god

• 12th imam disappeared ini 800s

  • is believed by twelvers to be hidden and will return to lead Islam someday