PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Founder: Muhammad The Prophet and messenger of God.
Geography: Originated in the Arabian Peninsula in the city of Mecca and spread to the city of Medina.
Eventually Islam spread (by trade routes from Mecca and Medina) to Asia, Africa, and Spain.
Today, Muslims live all over the world
Sacred Text: Qur'an (Koran)
Muslims believe the Qur'an was revealed to Muhammad gradually (over 23 years).
The Qur'an contains many similar beliefs about Christian and Judaic profits such as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus
Mary (known as Maryam) even has her own chapter
Sacred Cities: Mecca (the birthplace of Muhammad) and Medina (where Muhammad fled to with his followers)
Sacred Practices:
5 Pillars of Faith
Shahada: reciting (and believing in) Profession of faith
Salat: prayer performed five times a day (in the direction of the Kaaba)
Zakat:paying charity to help the poor and needy
Sawm: fasting while the sun is up during the month of Ramadan
Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca
After Muhammad passed away, there was debate as to who should succeed The Prophet
Many Muslims believed that the new leader should be appointed by the community (Sunni)
Others believed that only blood relatives should succeed Muhammad (Shi'a)
This debate became especially important when deciding whether Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, should be the leader
This division resulted in a Civil War within the Muslim Empire, in which Ali and his sons were killed
These events created even more division between the two sects, which still can be seen today
