islam

ISLAM ORIGINS & HISTORY STUDY GUIDE

• Islam (derived from the root world meaning “submission to God’s will”): It is 24% of the world and practiced by 1.9 billion people.

• Al-fana (ahl-fuhn’ah; Arabic: “extinction”) The extinction of one’s sense of separate existence before achieving union with Allah; the aim for Sufi mystics

• Caliphs (Arabic: “successors”) The military and political leaders of the Muslim community who succeeded Muhammad after his death.

• Hijra (hij’ruh; Arabic: “emigration”) The emigration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Yathrib (thereafter called Medina) in AD 622; the founding event of the Muslim community.

• Shari’a (Sha-ree’ah) The divine law, derived from the Qur’an and the Sunna, encompassing all and setting forth in detail how much Muslims are to live in their subbmison to god. It is practied in countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Pakistan,

• Shaykh (shayk) A teacher and master in Islam, such as the leader of an order in Sufism

• Shi’i/Shi’a (Shee’ee; from shi’ee; from shi’at ‘Ali: “partisans of Ali”) The division of Islam dominant in Iraq and Iran, originating as a result of an early dispute over leadership; distinguishable from Sunni Islam mainly by its figure of the Imam and strong messianic expectations. Believed that leadership should remain within the Prophet's family, specifically passing to Ali, his cousin and son-in-law.

• Sufi (Soo’fee) An adherent of Sufism, the form of Islam characterized by a mystical approach to Allah, who in experienced inwardly.

• Sunna (soon’nuh; Arabic: “custom” or “traditon”) The teachings and actions of Muhammad recorded in writings known as hadith, which provide the model for being Muslim; Islam’s second most important authority (after the Qur’an).

• Sunni (soon’ nee) The division of Islam practiced by most Muslims, named after the Sunna. Believed any capable leader (caliph) could lead the Muslim community, starting with Abu Bakr.

• Five Pillars The core acts of worship: Shahada, Salat, Sawm, Zakat, and Hajj.

1. Shahada: central confession of faith

   • There is no god except God. Muhammad is the messenger of God. 

     • Monotheism of Islam

     • The uniqueness of Muhammad as a prophet

   • Repeated many times a day during their prayers

   • Pronouncement made by people converting to Islam

2. Salat/Prayer

   • Muslims are required to pray 5 times a day: early morning, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, evening

   • Prayer requires

     • Ritual washing of the hands and face

     • Prostration facing the Kaaba in Mecca

   • Friday: Public prayers are conducted in the mosque

     • Led by imam “leader” 

3. Sawm/Fasting

   • During Ramadan during the 9th month of the Muslim lunar calendar

     • Month in which Muhammad received revelation of the Qur’an

   • From dawn to sunset, Muslims fast and avoid: eating, drinking, smoking, and sex 

     • Post-sunset: the festive breaking of the fast

     • Fasting is required when Muslims reach puberty

   • Muslims are encouraged to read the Qur’an during this month

   • Eid al-Fir “Festival of the Fast-Breaking”

     • Celebrates the completion of the Ramadan fast

     • First day of the month after Ramadan

     • Day of celebration, prayers, fasting, and gift-giving

4. Zakat/Wealth Sharing

   • Requires Muslims to contribute 2.5% of their wealth to a public treasury yearly

     • Poor people are exempt

   • Considered a form of worship

   • Acts of charity should be performed regularly

5. Hajj/Pilgrimage

   • Once in their lifetime Muslims are required to journey to Mecca, Saudia Arabia

     • Mecca: home to the first house of worship of God → the Ka’aba 

       1. Stone cubical structure center of the courtyard of the Great Mosque of Mecca 

       2. It is believed to have been built by Abraham & Ishmael

   • Any pilgrim who dies on the journey to Mecca = martyr (witness to the faith)

   • Captures the communal ideal of the Umma → Muslims globally gather in Mecca

   • Male pilgrims wear white clothing: equality, purity

   • Female pilgrims wear simple colorful clothing of their homelands

   • It takes place a specific month of the year for at least 15 days

   • During Hajj → perform religious acts (ex: the ritual act of circling the Ka’aba)

   • Eid al-Adha “Festival of the Sacrifice”

     • 10th day of the month after the end of the pilgrimage

     • Celebrated by all Muslims 

       1. Special prayers

       2. Feasts

       3. Gifts and the sacrifice of an animal lamb or goat which is given to relatives, friends, and the needy

• Hajj The pilgrimage to Mecca, required of all Muslims who are physically and financially able.

• Imam A leader of prayer in a mosque or a spiritual leader in the community.

• Jihad "Struggle," often interpreted as a personal spiritual journey or, in some contexts, armed struggle.

• Ka’ba The sacred structure in Mecca’s Great Mosque, central to Islamic worship.

• Mosque A place of worship for Muslims, often the center of community life.

• Ramadan The ninth Islamic month, marked by fasting and prayer.

• Shahada The profession of faith, affirming belief in Allah and Muhammad as His messenger.

4 Foundations Lesson:

1. Muhammad: (Not considered to be divine) The last prophet of Islam, was born in Mecca around the year 570. Orphaned before he had reached the age of six, he was raised under the protection of his uncle Abu Talib in a tribal society that reloaded on familial connections. Muhammad began working as a Caravan driver and met his boss and future wife Khadija.  Muhammad and Khadija had four daughters and two sons, both of whom died in infancy.  Then the night of power and excellence happened (see notes below), then he started to gain followers then the hijra happened.Then he gained more and more followers until he died in 632 CE. In total his prophetic career was 22 years.

• Khadija: Muhammad’s wife and the first follower of Islam. Her wealth allowed him the leisure to meditate, and she reassured him of the authenticity of his first revelations. 

2. Iman: Major teachings of Islam (6) (Faith)

• Oneness of God: Allah

• Angels of God: Do God’s will in the world

• Books of God: Allah received his divine message to messengers before Muhammad

  • Torah, Psalms, Scrolls, Gospels, etc.

  • But the Qur’an is the final revelation and the only book in its original form

• Prophets of God: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus

  • But Muhammad is the final prophet (Seal of Prophets)

• Judgment Day: Humans will be judged for their actions

• Divine decree: Muslims believe that God has a divine destiny for all things

3. Qur’an (Kuh-ran’; Arabic: “recitation”) Islam’s primary sacred text, regarded by Muslims as the direct word (114 Suras) of Allah, revealed to Muhammad orally through the archangel Gabriel. It is believed to be Allah’s presence in the world, and can only be worshiped in the Arabic language as it is the one true version and should be recitatited orally. Qur'an memorization (Hafiz) is highly respected in the Muslim world.

4. Umma (oom’ muh; Arabic: “community”) The community of all Muslims.

• Muslim: One who Submitts, a follower of Islam, and a believer that submission applies to every moment of life.

• Night of Power and Excellence: 610 CE; The night when the archangel Gabriel or Jibril first appeared to Muhammad in a cave and told him he was the Prophet of God and gave him the first revelation of the Qur’an. Khadijah was his first follower. It is commemorated each year on the night between the 26th and 27th days of Ramadan.

• Sura: 

• Allah: the most common word to represent God, and humble submission to his will, divine ordinances and commandments is the pivot of the Muslim faith.

• Seal of the Prophets: The title used to designate the last of the prophets, Muhammad.

• 570 AD/CE: Muhammad was born in the tribal society of Mecca.

• 610 AD/CE: At the age of 40, Muhammad is visited by the angel Gabriel while on retreat in a cave near Mecca. The angel recites to him the first revelations of the Qur’an and informs him that he is God's prophet.

• 622 AD/CE: Muhammad and his followers headed to Medina, another oasis town, where they were promised freedom to practice their religion. The move from Mecca to Medina is known as the hijra—the flight—and marks year 1 or the beginning of the Islamic, or hijri, calendar.

• 630 AD/CE: Muhammad returns to Mecca with a large number of his followers. He enters the city peacefully, and eventually all its citizens accept Islam. The prophet clears the idols and images out of the Kaaba and rededicates it to the worship of God alone.

• 632 AD/CE: Muhammad dies; the debate over the next Caliph begins the Sunni and Shia divide

• 680 AD/ CE: Battle of Karbala; the definitive sectarian split between Sunni and Shi'a Islam. In the debate of the successor following the death of the Prophet Muhammad, the Umayyad ruler Yazid I sought to assassinate Husayn, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

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History of Islamic Expansion/Shi’ism/Sufism

After Muhammad's Death (632 CE):

• Dispute Over Leadership:

  • A small group believed leadership should remain in Muhammad's family and supported Ali (Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law) as the rightful successor.

    • This group became known as the Shi’a, derived from the term Shi’at Ali ("Partisans of Ali").

  • The majority believed that any trustworthy elder from the community could lead, regardless of bloodline.

    • This group was referred to as the Sunni.

• Leadership and Governance:

  • Early Islamic community guided by caliphs (successors).

  • After Ali’s assassination in 661 CE (4th caliph), Islam expanded through caliphates:

    • Leadership became dynastic, passed within families.

  • Within 100 years, Islam spread to:

    • The Middle East, Persia, North Africa, and most of Spain/Iberian Peninsula.

Expansion and Evolution:

• As Islam spread to territories of the Persian and Byzantine empires:

  • New Islamic civilizations emerged.

  • Centers of learning flourished.

  • Four major schools of religious law developed.

  • Separation between political and religious authority occurred.

Key Events in Shi’a-Sunni Split:

• After Ali’s Death (661 CE):

  • Shi’a aimed to restore leadership to the Prophet’s family.

• Husayn’s Revolt:

  • Ali’s son, Husayn, led a failed effort to reclaim leadership.

  • Battle of Karbala (680 CE):

    • Husayn was defeated and killed by Sunni rivals.

    • This marked the final division between Shi’a and Sunni, solidifying Shi’ism as a distinct Islamic branch.

Current Demographics:

• Sunni Muslims: Approx. 87% of the global Muslim population.

• Shi’a Muslims: Majority in Iraq and Iran, significant minorities in Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Islam Today

• Second-largest and fastest-growing religion globally.

• Geographic Spread:

  • Major Muslim populations in North Africa, Middle East, South Asia, and Indonesia.

  • Saudi Arabia holds special status due to its sacred Islamic sites.

• In the United States:

  • 4–6 million Muslims, with 40% African-American heritage.

Islamic Mysticism (Sufism)

• Overview:

  • Not a historical division but a mystical form of Islam.

  • Members come from both Sunni and Shi’a communities.

  • Organized into orders, each led by a shayk (master and teacher).

• Core Beliefs:

  • Stresses Allah's immanence (closeness) over transcendence.

  • Ultimate goal: Al-fana (extinction)—eliminating separation from God and achieving personal union with Allah.

Here’s a comparison chart based on the information provided:

Key Terms and Figures

• Caliph: Successor to Muhammad and leader of the Muslim community.

• Sunnism: Majority branch of Islam, believing in community-elected leadership.

• Shi’ism:

  • Shi’at Ali: Partisans of Ali.

  • Ali (d. 661): Fourth caliph and central figure for Shi’a Muslims.

  • Husayn (d. 680): Ali’s son; his death at Karbala was a pivotal event in the Sunni-Shi’a split.

• Sufism:

  • Shayk: Leader of a Sufi order.

  • Al-fana: Mystical concept of union with Allah.

The 2 Eids “eid = festival”

Extra Info:

 IMAN

The Six Major Articles of Islamic Faith

1. Oneness of God—Muslims uphold the absolute oneness of God (a belief known as Tawhid), espousing a strict monotheism. They uphold the concept of Divine Unity: that God’s internal nature—God within Godself—is undivided and one. This means Allah has no offspring, no gender, and no body. The all-knowing, all-powerful, and eternal Allah cannot be fully described in the limited categories of human language, although the 99 Names of Allah provide descriptions of Allah’s attributes, such as “the Just” and “the Merciful.”

2. Angels of God—Muslims believe in angels—unseen beings created by God to carry out God’s orders in the world and spread God’s message to humanity. Angels, such as Jibril (Gabriel), do Allah’s work in the world.

3. Books of God—According to Muslim belief, Allah revealed his divine message to messengers before the Prophet Muhammad in order to guide people to live righteously. These earlier revelations take the form of books or scriptures and include the Torah (revealed to Moses), the Psalms (revealed to David), the Scrolls (revealed to Abraham), and the Gospels (revealed to Jesus). However, Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the final revelation and the only one of the books that remains in its original form.

4. Prophets of God—Muslims believe God has guided humanity and revealed the divine will through the intervention of numerous prophets, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Muslims consider Muhammad the final prophet, the “seal” of the prophets.

5. Day of Judgment—Muslims believe in a final judgement and life after death. Humans will be judged for their actions in life and how they followed God’s guidance.

6. Divine decree—Muslims believe that God has set a divine destiny for all things. Nothing occurs except by the will of Allah. This is not seen as undermining free will.