📿World Religions Unit 12 – Islam: Muhammad, Quran, and Five Pillars

Origins and Historical Context

• Islam emerged in the 7th century CE in the Arabian Peninsula, a region characterized by a nomadic Bedouin culture and polytheistic religious practices
• The city of Mecca was a significant trading hub and pilgrimage site, housing the Kaaba, a sacred shrine believed to have been built by Abraham and Ishmael
  • The Kaaba contained 360 idols representing various deities worshipped by Arab tribes
• Arabia was strategically located at the crossroads of major trade routes connecting the Byzantine Empire, Sassanid Persia, and the Indian Ocean
• Monotheistic influences from Judaism and Christianity were present in the region, particularly in the city of Medina (Yathrib)
• Social and economic disparities existed in Meccan society, with a wealthy merchant class and a significant population of poor and marginalized individuals
• The tribal structure of Arab society emphasized loyalty to one's clan and family, often leading to conflicts and vendettas between tribes

Life of Muhammad

• Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was born in Mecca around 570 CE into the Banu Hashim clan of the Quraysh tribe
• Orphaned at a young age, Muhammad was raised by his grandfather Abdul Muttalib and later his uncle Abu Talib
• As a young man, Muhammad worked as a merchant and gained a reputation for his trustworthiness, earning the title "Al-Amin" (the trustworthy)
• Around the age of 25, Muhammad married Khadija, a wealthy widow and successful businesswoman 15 years his senior
  • Khadija became Muhammad's confidante and the first convert to Islam
• Muhammad often retreated to the cave of Hira for meditation and reflection, seeking answers to the social and moral issues he observed in Meccan society
• At the age of 40, during one of his meditations in the cave, Muhammad received his first revelation from the angel Gabriel (Jibril), marking the beginning of his prophetic mission
• Faced with opposition and persecution from the Meccan elite, Muhammad and his early followers migrated to the city of Medina in 622 CE, an event known as the Hijra, which marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar
• In Medina, Muhammad established the first Islamic state, creating a constitution (the Constitution of Medina) that governed the diverse religious and tribal communities in the city

Revelations and the Quran

• Muslims believe that the Quran is the literal word of God, revealed to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years
• The revelations were initially transmitted orally and memorized by Muhammad and his companions, later compiled into a written text during the caliphate of Uthman (644-656 CE)
• The Quran consists of 114 chapters (surahs) of varying lengths, with each chapter divided into verses (ayat)
  • The chapters are not arranged chronologically but roughly by length, with the longest chapters appearing first
• The Quranic text is considered the primary source of Islamic law (Sharia) and guidance for Muslims in all aspects of life
• The Quran addresses a wide range of topics, including religious doctrines, moral and ethical principles, social and economic issues, and historical accounts of previous prophets and nations
• The language of the Quran, classical Arabic, is considered a linguistic miracle by Muslims, with its poetic style, rhetorical devices, and inimitability (i'jaz) serving as evidence of its divine origin
• Muslims engage with the Quran through recitation (tilawah), memorization (hifz), and study (tafsir) to derive guidance and spiritual nourishment

Core Beliefs and Teachings

• The central belief in Islam is the oneness of God (tawhid), emphasizing that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah
• Muslims believe in the existence of angels as created beings who serve God and act as intermediaries between God and humans (Jibril)
• Prophets and messengers are believed to have been sent by God throughout history to guide humanity, with Muhammad being the final prophet (seal of the prophets)
  • Notable prophets in Islam include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus
• The Quran and the authentic sayings and actions of Muhammad (Hadith) form the basis of Islamic law (Sharia) and provide guidance for Muslims in all aspects of life
• Muslims believe in the Day of Judgment (Yawm al-Qiyamah), when all individuals will be held accountable for their deeds and face either eternal reward in Paradise (Jannah) or punishment in Hell (Jahannam)
• The concept of predestination (qadar) holds that God has knowledge of and control over all events, while humans have free will to choose their actions within the limits set by God
• Islam emphasizes the importance of social justice, charity (zakat), and the equality of all human beings before God, regardless of race, ethnicity, or social status

The Five Pillars of Islam

• The Five Pillars of Islam are the fundamental practices that every Muslim must adhere to, serving as the foundation of Islamic faith and worship
  1. Shahada (declaration of faith): Professing the belief in the oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad
  2. Salah (prayer): Performing the five obligatory daily prayers (Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha) facing the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca
  3. Zakat (almsgiving): Giving a portion of one's wealth (2.5% annually) to the poor and needy as a means of purification and social welfare
  4. Sawm (fasting): Abstaining from food, drink, and intimate relations from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan, fostering spiritual discipline and empathy for the less fortunate
  5. Hajj (pilgrimage): Undertaking a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime, if physically and financially able, to perform prescribed rituals and commemorate the life of Abraham
• These pillars are considered obligatory for all adult Muslims who are of sound mind and have the means to fulfill them
• The Five Pillars serve to unify the global Muslim community (ummah) and provide a shared sense of identity and purpose

Islamic Practices and Rituals

• In addition to the Five Pillars, Islam encompasses various practices and rituals that shape the daily lives of Muslims
• Wudu (ablution) is the ritual washing performed before prayers, symbolizing physical and spiritual purification
• Adhan (call to prayer) is recited by a muezzin to summon Muslims to the five daily prayers, traditionally from the minaret of a mosque
• Jumu'ah (Friday prayer) is a congregational prayer held every Friday at midday, accompanied by a sermon (khutbah) delivered by an imam
• Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are the two major Islamic festivals celebrated by Muslims worldwide
  • Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is a time for feasting, family gatherings, and charitable giving
  • Eid al-Adha commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son and is celebrated during the Hajj pilgrimage
• The Islamic calendar, based on a lunar cycle, governs the timing of religious observances and festivals
• Dietary laws in Islam prohibit the consumption of pork, blood, carrion, and alcohol, and require animals to be slaughtered according to specific guidelines (halal)
• Modesty in dress and behavior is encouraged for both men and women, with specific guidelines varying across cultures and interpretations

Spread and Development of Islam

• Following Muhammad's death in 632 CE, Islam spread rapidly through military conquests, trade, and missionary activities
• The Rightly Guided Caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali) led the early expansion of the Islamic state, conquering territories in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia
• The Umayyad Caliphate (661-750 CE) further expanded the Islamic empire, reaching the Iberian Peninsula in the west and the Indus Valley in the east
  • The Umayyad period saw the development of Islamic art and architecture, including the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem
• The Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258 CE) shifted the center of power to Baghdad and ushered in the Golden Age of Islam, characterized by advancements in science, philosophy, literature, and theology
  • Notable scholars during this period include Al-Khwarizmi (mathematics), Ibn Sina (medicine), and Al-Ghazali (theology)
• The spread of Islam also led to the emergence of diverse schools of Islamic law (madhhabs) and theological traditions, such as Sunni, Shia, and Sufi
• The Islamic world experienced political fragmentation and the rise of regional dynasties (Fatimids, Seljuks, Mamluks) following the decline of the Abbasid Caliphate
• Islam continued to spread through trade networks, particularly in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, adapting to local cultures and traditions

Islam in the Modern World

• Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, with over 1.8 billion followers (Muslims) across diverse cultures and regions
• The Islamic world encompasses nations in the Middle East, North Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as significant minority populations in Europe and the Americas
• The 20th century saw the end of colonial rule and the emergence of independent Muslim-majority nation-states, many of which grapple with issues of modernization, secularization, and Islamic identity
• Islamic revivalist movements, such as the Muslim Brotherhood and the Iranian Revolution, have sought to reassert the role of Islam in public life and governance
• Islamophobia, or prejudice against Muslims, has increased in some Western societies, particularly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and subsequent "War on Terror"
• Muslims have made significant contributions to various fields, including science, literature, art, and politics
  • Notable contemporary figures include Nobel laureates Malala Yousafzai (education activist) and Muhammad Yunus (microfinance pioneer)
• Intra-Muslim dialogue and cooperation have grown through organizations such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Islamic Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ISESCO)
• Muslims continue to navigate the challenges of balancing religious tradition with the demands of modern life, seeking to apply Islamic principles to contemporary issues such as social justice, environmental sustainability, and interfaith harmony