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Born in 570 ce

From an aristocratic clan in charge of the holy, Arabic, tribal site—the Ka’ba--in Mecca, a place of pilgrimage for tribal people.

The culture:

Decadent

Loosely governed by Arabic tribes

A polytheistic amalgam of nature religions

Orphaned at an early age

Traveled in merchant caravans with his grandfather and uncle

Became acquainted with Jewish and Christian practice and beliefs.

Aspects of his culture’s religious practice became distasteful:

Lack of consistency

Lack of stability (change)

Sacrifices to influence the divine spirits

Attracted to the One-god concept.

One, all-powerful God

Communicating through persons (prophets)

Devoted to personal meditation

A vision in which the Angel Gabriel appeared and commanded him to recite. This was the first of a number of these occasions.

These experiences of revelation were understood by Muhammad as the direct expression of God’s will.

First convert: Khadija, his wife

Others soon joined them

All of this taking place in Mecca

Muhammad’s tribe became incensed over the new religion—One god vs. many gods.

Many experienced economic loss because the sold pagan goods to those who came on pilgrimage.

The Flight

Muhammad and his group move to Yathrib (now Medina) where they are well received and Islam continues to grow.

Now large enough to take on Mecca and its people, Muhammad leads them.

City is conquered without a major battle

Ka’ba is cleaned out of over 100 idol objects

The black rock remains (meteorite)

Islam means submission.

Allah is master. Worshipper is servant.

One who submits to Allah becomes a Muslim. Allah is the one on whom all Creation depends and is all-powerful.

Allah is impersonal to many and personal to some, especially the Sufis, the mystical branch of Islam. ("an intuitive experience of Allah.")

The revelations to Muhammad

Written down over a period of years

Contains 114 suras (chapters)

These are the Islamic scriptures

Seen by Muslims as directly coming from Allah and not simply Muhammad's thoughts

Broad themes

Teachings about the nature of Allah

Teachings about the nature of humanity

Instructions for daily living

Is Muhammad considered a god?

He is in no sense considered a divine being.

He is considered to be one who communicated with God and shared what was communicated—a prophet.

He is called "the seal of the prophet".

While there is a kind of kinship to Jews and Christians, there are serious objections:

Christians are seen as polytheists based on the theology of the trinity—God is three persons in one, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Jews are seen as not being faithful to the revelation of their prophets.

The scriptures of Jews and Christians are considered flawed as compared with the Qur’an.

The Five Pillars of Islam

One must believe in the one God, Allah, and the revelation of His will through Muhammad.

"There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet."

Prayer must be offered to Allah

Five times a day at specific times

Prayer is best offered in a Mosque, but Muslims can pray anywhere.

The muezzin summons people to prayer, often from a tower of a Mosque.

The Muslim faces toward Mecca, prostrates him/herself symbolizing submission

The groves cut in the carpet of our local Mosque orient the congregation toward Mecca.

A specially designed prayer rug confers sacredness to the place of prayer.

Giving of alms

Contributions to the poor

For the upkeep of the Mosque

Strict fasting

During the month of Ramadan (ninth month of the Islamic calendar

It is a lunar calendar having 12 lunar months in a year of about 354 days. Because this lunar year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, Islamic holy days, although celebrated on fixed dates in their own calendar, usually shift 11 days earlier each successive solar year, such as a year of the Gregorian calendar. Islamic years are also called Hijra years because the first year was the year during which the Hijra occurred—Islamic prophet Muhammad's emigration from Mecca to Medina

Pilgrimage to Mecca – the hadj

Only believers are permitted

Ritual duties during the hadj

moving in a circle around the Ka’ba and kissing or touching the black stone. This re-enacts Muhammad’s flight from Mecca.

Friday at mid-day

Men strongly encouraged to attend

Women given more freedom

Imam (ee-mam)

Leads the worship

Offers a teaching

Encourages lives of submission

Muslims look to the Qur’an and the hadith for instructions in daily living.

The sunna is the moral law formed by trained Muslim jurists (fuguha) using the Qur’an and hadith (sayings of M. and how he lived his life).

Muslims reject:

Eating of pork

Any worship connected with idolatry

Representations of divine, human or animal beings in their mosques

For the faithful

Endless rewards in a blissful Paradise

Both material and spiritual benefits

To the unfaithful

Endless punishment in Hell

Note: Some Muslims believe there is an angel on each shoulder recording everything they do.

Branches or schisms appeared after the death of Muhammad.

Largest group—Sunnis (formerly ran Iraq)

This group accepted Abu Bakr

A principal follower of Muhammad

Mainly responsible for the energetic spread of Islam

Minority group—Shi’ites (Iran)

Family of M wanted a blood relative as successor

More conservative than the Sunnis

Refuse to accommodate non-Muslim influences

The Mystical Branch of Islam

Second quote on pg. 59 of text

Ninth century ce

Stresses direct confrontation with God

Transports them beyond ordinary reality

Concentrates on Allah’s love, the prime aspect of his being

Rumi, thirteenth century

Persian Sufi teacher and poet ("feeling God within") Quote at top of page 59 of text.

Sufi emphasis

Direct

Personal

Encounter with God

Sufi’s are aware of the immanence of God; finding God in all things.

Persecution

Eleventh century Abu Hamid al Ghazali worked to heal the rift between Sunnnis and Sufis.

SEE BELOW FOR VERSES FROM THE QUR'AN ON JIHAD

Source:

http://www.answering-islam.org/Quran/Themes/jihad_passages.html#Fulltext

The Qur’an and hidth regarding Jihad.  Over time, there were changes in attitude.  The following represent the four phases identified.

Phase 1 – Use the revelation to Muhammad as the sword of God.  No literal fighting encouraged.

Phase 2 - FIRST INSTRUCTION IN MEDINA) - DEFENSIVE FIGHTING PERMITTED: [Several months after arrival in Medina the Muslims began looting the Meccan caravans passing through the area. (It is very hard to understand how someone claiming to be a prophet could adopt the carnal, pagan Arab practice of robbing the caravans of other tribes, call it "striving in the way of God" and then say that one fifth of the loot belongs to God!) That practice eventually resulted in their being attacked by the Quraish from Mecca in several battles, beginning with the battle of Badr in 624. At that time permission was given to defend themselves by fighting and killing. The only enemies in the picture were the "unbelievers" of the Quraish tribe in Mecca , who were idol worshipers.]

Sura 22:39-41 (permission is given to go to war to defend themselves)

"To those against whom war is made, [YA: "Several translators have failed to notice that yuqataluna is in the passive voice, ‘against whom war is made,’ not ‘who take arms against the unbelievers’ as Sale translates it."] permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged, and verily, God is most powerful for their aid. (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right, (for no cause) except that they say, ‘Our Lord is God.’ [YA: "This was the first occasion on which fighting - in self defense - was permitted. This passage therefore undoubtedly dates from Medina ."] Did not God check one set of people by means of another, [YA: "To allow a righteous people to fight against a ferocious and mischief-loving people was fully justified. But the justification was far greater here, when the little Muslim community was not only fighting for its own existence against the Meccan Quraish, but for the very existence of the faith in the One True God. They had as much right to be in Mecca and worship in the Ka’ba as the other Quraish, yet they were exiled for their faith. It affected not the faith of one peculiar people. The principle involved was that of all worship, Jewish or Christian as well as Muslim, and of all foundations built for pious uses."] there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques, in which the name of God is commemorated in abundant measure. God will certainly aid those who aid His (cause), for verily God is full of strength, exalted in might, (able to enforce His will). (They are) those who, if we establish them in the land, establish regular prayer and give regular charity, enjoin the right and forbid wrong. [A basic teaching, usually involving force if necessary, to keep other Muslims following Islam.] With God rests the end (and decision) of (all) affairs."

Sura 22:58 (rewards for those who die in jihad)

"Those who leave their homes in the cause of God, and are then slain or die, on them will God bestow verily a goodly provision. [YA: "all the provision necessary to equip the person for a full and happy future life, and also, I think, a provision for his dependants and near and dear ones in this life."] Truly God is He who bestows the best provision."

Phase 3 - STAGE THREE: (REVISED INSTRUCTION IN MEDINA) - DEFENSIVE FIGHTING COMMANDED: [A few months after granting permission to fight in self-defense, the command was given making war (in self defense) a religious obligation. At first, the only enemies in the picture were the "unbelievers" of the Quraish tribe in Mecca , who were idol worshipers. They were the ones who had in a sense declared war on the Muslims. Starting with the battle of Uhud (see sura 3 references below) the hypocrites (Arabs who claimed to be Muslims, but really did not believe) began to show themselves as enemies, and later the Jews were considered enemies. In the beginning of this stage the Jews were not considered enemies because Muhammad was still expecting them to accept him as a prophet like Moses.]

Sura 3:157,165-167,169-171,195b (Martyrs have their sins blotted out and go to paradise, plus bring glory and peace to their loved ones left behind. Believers suffer defeat in battle when they disobey and don't fully strive.)

Think not of those who are slain in God's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord. [Others translate this, "by their Lord" or "from their Lord." Clearly, as is evident from YA's following note, Muslims do not think of Paradise as including intimate fellowship with God in His presence, but rather a place of blessings from the presence of the Lord.] [YA: "... through the gateway of death, they enter the true real life, as opposed to its shadow here. Our carnal life is sustained with carnal food, and its joys and pleasures at their best are those which are projected on the screen of this material world. Their real life is sustained from the ineffable presence and nearness of God."] They rejoice in the bounty provided by God and with regard to those left behind, who have not yet joined them (in their bliss), the (martyrs) glory in the fact that on them is no fear, nor have they (cause to) grieve. [YA: "The martyrs not only rejoice at the bliss they have themselves attained. The dear ones left behind are in their thoughts. It is part of their glory that they have saved their dear ones from fear, sorrow, humiliation, and grief, in this life, even before they come to share in the glories of the hereafter."] They glory in the grace and the bounty from God, and in the fact that God suffereth not the reward of the faithful to be lost (in the least) ... Those who have left their homes, or been driven out therefrom, or suffered harm in my cause, of fought or been slain, verily, I will blot out from them their iniquities, and admit them into gardens with rivers flowing beneath - a reward from the presence of God, and from His presence is the best of rewards."

Sura 61:4,11-13 (God loves those who fight in His cause without wavering. He will give speedy victory, forgiveness of sins and admission to paradise to those who fight with all they have.)

"Truly God loves those who fight in His cause in battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure ... that ye believe in God and His Apostle, and that ye strive (your utmost) in the cause of God, with your property and your persons. That will be best for you, if ye but knew! He will forgive you your sins, and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow, and to beautiful mansions in gardens of eternity. That is indeed the supreme achievement. And another (favor will He bestow), which ye do love - help from God and a speedy victory. So give the glad tidings to the believers." [YA: "The supreme achievement has already been mentioned, viz: the gardens of eternity in the presence of God. But lest that seem too remote or abstract for the understanding of men not spiritually advanced, another type or symbol or metaphor is mentioned which the men who first heard this message could at once understand and appreciate - ‘which ye do love’; viz,: help and victory. For all striving in a righteous cause we get God's help and however much the odds against us may be, we are sure of victory with God's help."] [It should be noted that further description of the delights of Paradise had been given earlier in several of the early Meccan suras. An example is Sura 55:52-58: "In them (each) will be fruits of every kind, two and two... They will recline on carpets, whose inner linings will be of rich brocade. The fruit of the gardens will be near (and easy to reach)... In them will be (maidens), chaste, restraining their glances, whom no man or Jinn before them has touched ... like unto rubies and coral." YA in his notes tells us that all of the description of Paradise is symbolic and that, "Carnal sex has of course no place in Heaven..."]

Sura 48:29a (Muslims fight against unbelievers, but are loving among themselves)

"Muhammad is the Apostle of God, and those who are with him are strong against unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other." [YA: "The devotees of God wage unceasing war against evil, for themselves, and for others, but to their own brethren in faith - especially the weaker ones - they are mild and compassionate."]

Phase 4 - STAGE FOUR: (AFTER CONQUERING MECCA) - OFFENSIVE WAR COMMANDED TO KILL THE PAGANS AND HUMBLE THE CHRISTIANS AND JEWS: [The Muslims continued to gain strength until the Meccans surrendered (in 630 AD). Most of the pagans of the city then became Muslims, so Mohammad and his followers were able to take over the city and cleanse the Ka’aba of some 360 idols resident there. At this point a new order was given to fit the new situation. By this time it was evident that the Jews would not accept Muhammad's claim to be a prophet, so the list of enemies now included all unbelievers - Jews and Christians as well as the pagans. Now it is no longer just defensive fighting, but aggressive Jihad against all unbelievers is commanded. Since this is the final teaching of the Quran regarding Jihad, it is what is still in force today.]

Sura 9:1-6 (Dissolve all treaties with those pagans who haven't kept them, giving them four months notice. But keep your treaties with other idol worshipers till the end of the time agreed upon. In the future, make no more treaties with pagans, but kill those who do not receive Islam.)

Sura 9:19-22 (Jihad is greater than other service, and of the highest rank in the sight of God)

"Do ye make the giving of drink to pilgrims, or the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque, equal to (the pious service of) those who believe in God and the last day, and strive [jihad] with might and main in the cause of God? They are not comparable in the sight of God, and God guides not those who do wrong. Those who believe, and suffer exile and strive with might and main in God's cause with their goods and their persons [YA: "Here is a good description of jihad. It may require fighting in God's cause, as a form of self-sacrifice. But its essence consists in (1) a true and sincere faith, which so fixes its gaze on God that all selfish or worldly motives seem paltry and fade away, and (2) an earnest and ceaseless activity, involving the sacrifice (if need be) of life, person, or property, in the service of God. Mere brutal fighting is opposed to the whole spirit of jihad, which the sincere scholar's pen or preacher's voice or wealthy man's contributions may be the most valuable forms of jihad."] have the highest rank in the sight of God. They are the people who will achieve (salvation). Their Lord doth give them glad tidings of a mercy from Himself, of His good pleasure, and of gardens for them, wherein are delights that endure. They will dwell therein for ever. Verily in God's presence is a reward, the greatest (of all)."

Sura 9:29-31 (fight against Jews and Christians until they are subdued, because God's curse is on them)

"Fight those who believe not in God nor the last day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by God and His Apostle, nor acknowledge the religion of truth, (even if they are) of the people of the Book, until they pay the jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. [YA: "Jizya = the root meaning is compensation. The derived meaning, which became the technical meaning, was a poll tax levied from those who did not accept Islam, but were willing to live under the protection of Islam, and were thus tacitly willing to submit to its ideals being enforced in the Muslim State, saving only their personal liberty of conscience as regarded themselves ... It was an acknowledgment that those whose religion was tolerated would in their turn not interfere with the preaching and progress of Islam ... there were exemptions for the poor, for females and children, for slaves and for monks and hermits. Being a tax on able-bodied males of military age, it was in a sense a commutation for military service."] The Jews call Uzair [Ezra] a son of God, [YA: "I have quoted passages from the Old Testament, showing how freely the expression "sons of God" was used by the Jews. A sect of them called Uzair (Ezra) a son of God, according to Baidhawi."] and the Christians call Christ the Son of God ... God's curse be on them; how they are deluded away from the truth! They take their priests and their anchorites to be their lords in derogation of God, and (they take as their Lord) Christ the son of Mary. Yet they are commanded to worship but One God ..." [YA: "The deification of the son of Mary is put here in a special clause by itself, as it held (and still holds) in its thrall a large portion of civilized humanity."]

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