Islam

The Quran
The Quran occupies a central place in Islam. For Muslims, the Quran is the eternal, uncreated, literal word of God, sent down from heaven and revealed one final time through the angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad as a guide for humankind. Muslims believe therefore that the Quran is the infallible (trustworthy) word of God. Quran means recitation a recitation by Muhammad of Allahs words. The Quran consist of 144 sura (chapters) subdivided into 6000 verses, originally revealed to Muhammad over a period of 22 years. The Quran contains the essential teachings of the unity and power of God, stories of the prophets, and the consequences of good and evil for the life and hereafter. Arabian Peninsula and polytheism o Arabias 1.7 million square kilometres was dominated by desert. o The landscape was dotted with oasis towns and cities such as Mecca, a centre of trade and commerce, and Yathrib (Medina), an important agricultural settlement. o The principal sources of livelihood were herding, agriculture, trade and raiding (looting). o Intertribal warfare was a long-established activity, however was governed by clear guidelines and rules. o Social organisation and identity for the peoples of Arabia were based on membership in an extended family. o The religion of Arabia reflected its tribal nature and social structure. Gods and goddesses served as protectors of individual tribes, and their spirits were associated with sacred objects such as trees, stones, springs and wells. o The value system or ethnical code of Arabia was based firmly in the tribal experience. The Middle East Zoroastrianism, Judaism and Christianity o Both Jewish and Christian communities had been present in Arabia before Muhammad. o All 3 religious traditions (Zoroastrianism, Judaism and Christianity) had been associated with political power they had become the official state religion: Judaism in Palestine, Christianity in the Roman Empire, and Zoroastrianism in the Persian Empire. Muhammad was born into the Quraysh tribe in c.570CE and died c.632CE. He was orphaned at the age of 6. He went to live with his uncle and as a result of this, he felt alone which allowed him to feel concern for the marginalised. Muhammad grew up with war between all of the tribes of Mecca and his uncle taught him to fend for himself. In later years, Muhammad was a moderately successful merchant When he was 25 years old, a wealthy widow, Khadiji, proposed to him. During their 15 years of marriage, they enjoyed a close relationship and had 2 sons who died in infancy and 4 daughters, the most famous being Fatima. Muhammad was apparently deeply disturbed by changes that came with Meccas transition from a semi-Bedouin society to a commercial, urban society. He was greatly respected for his judgement and trustworthiness. It was this attribute that led him to retreat regularly to a cave on Mount Hira. It was on Mount Hira in 610CE that Muhammad received the first of many revelations from God. The angel Gabriel appeared to him and told him that he was to be the prophet of his people. Muhammad continued to receive revelations over a period of 22 years.

Historical and Cultural Context

Muhammad

Muhammads revelations were written down by scribes, as Muhammad was illiterate, and compiled into what is known as the Quran. At first, Muhammad was frightened by his experience and reluctant to speak of what was revealed to him because he feared he was possessed and that others would dismiss his claims. The first 10 years of Muhammads preaching were difficult, loaded with Meccan resistance and rejection. His message was not altogether welcomed for at least 2 reasons: 1) His attack on polytheism threatened the livelihood and prestige of the Meccans. 2) The values that he expressed did not agree with the money-making policy of the rich merchants of the city. For almost 10 years, Muhammad struggled in Mecca, preaching Gods message and gathering a small band of followers. Khadijah and Muhammads cousin Ali became the first disciples and the first converts to a new religion Islam. In 620CE, Muhammad was invited by a delegation from Yathrib (Medina) to serve as a chief judge in a bitter feud between Arab tribes. Muhammad and 200 of his followers emigrated to Medina between July and September in 622CE. This hijra (migration) marked a turning point in Muhammads fortunes. By leaving Mecca, Muhammad broke with the old tribal organisation to create a community of faith, and established a religion with its own institutions. The community in Medina who accepted this religion were called Muslims. Muhammad at Medina Muhammad established his leadership in Medina and united Muslim rule over the remainder of Arabia through diplomatic and military means. On arriving at Medina, Muhammad announced a charter which set out the rights and duties of all the citizens and the relationship of the Muslim community to other communities. Muslims formed a community whose primary identity was no longer of tribal ties but a common religious faith and commitment. In 630CE, Muhammad entered Mecca and granted amnesty to the great majority of his former enemies. The Meccans converted to Islam and accepted Muhammads leadership. Kaba The Kaba is a large building in Mecca that is in the shape of a cube. It is a prison like structure that contained all the idols that were believed in. The Kaba was supposedly constructed by Abraham centuries before and contained a holy rock. The Kaba provided peace in Mecca as only around the Kaba would the tribes stop their fighting. As a result of no fighting allowed around the Kaba, business and commerce flourished as it allowed trade to occur. When Muhammad came to Mecca in 630CE, he destroyed the images and sculptures of the idols within the Kaba but retained the cube structure as the focus of Islam. The Arab world after the death of Muhammad Muhammad had not stated clearly who should succeed him and become caliph and ruler of the Islamic community. The Islamic community was plunged into a series of political crises revolving around leadership and authority. The 4 rightly guided caliphs The first 4 caliphs were all companions of the Prophet: Abu Bakr, Umar ibn al-Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan, and Ali ibn Abi Talub.

The question of who has the right to be caliph was to cause more division and bloodshed in Islam than any other issue. Abu Bakr o Muhammads father-in-law o He united Muslim tribes Umar ibn al-Khattab o Extended Muslim rule to Syria, Egypt, Persia and Armenia. Uthman ibn Affan o Authorised the preparation of the ultimate version of the Quran. o Uthmans murder in 656 was the first in a series of Muslim rebellions that would plague the Islamic communitys political development. Ali ibn Abi Talub o Was Muhammads cousin and son-in-law o Ali moved the capital to Kufa in Iraq, a more central location within the expanding Muslim world. o Ali was assassinated in 661CE by Kharijites. For the Sunni, the head of the Muslim community must be the best-qualified Arab Muslim. The authority of the first 3 caliphs was derived solely form the votes of the community. For the Sunnis, political authority does not depend in a line of succession stretching back to the Prophets family. The Shii believe that only descendants of the Prophet can be the leader of the Muslim community For the Shii, Ali is not the 4th caliph but the 1st imam, or leader of the community After the death of Ali, the 2nd and 3rd imams were the Prophets grandsons, Hasan and Husayn.

Sunni

Shii

5 Pillars of Faith
1) Shahada Declaration of Faith There is only one God, Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger. 2) Salat Ritual Prayer Muslims are required to pray 5 times a day. Prior to the prayers Muslims must ceremonially wash themselves (wadu). 3) Zakat Obligatory (religious) Almsgiving A compulsory percentage of income (2.5%) is given to the poor. 4) Sawn Fasting Fasting each day during the month of Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the lunar calendar. A Muslim during Ramadan is not allowed to eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. 5) Hajj Pilgrimage Making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during a Muslims lifetime, if physically and financially able.