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Origins/Roots of the Belief System
The religion of Islam originates in the Arabian Peninsula. In the Arabian Peninsula, most of the land is Desert. The people who lived along the desert part in the peninsula could not grow crops, so many herded sheep and camels. They became herders known as bedouins. Bedouin families moved in groups from one area to the other. The groups of Bedouins were organized into tribes. The Sheikh was the leader of the tribe. Along the coasts of the peninsula lived people. This region had milder climates that could inhabit more people. In these areas towns grew, and the people who lived there became traders. Throughout trade the Arabs met and influenced different cultures. This is a way in which the religion of began to spread.
The religion of Islam originates in the Arabian Peninsula. In the Arabian Peninsula, most of the land is Desert. The people who lived along the desert part in the peninsula could not grow crops, so many herded sheep and camels. They became herders known as bedouins. Bedouin families moved in groups from one area to the other. The groups of Bedouins were organized into tribes. The Sheikh was the leader of the tribe. Along the coasts of the peninsula lived people. This region had milder climates that could inhabit more people. In these areas towns grew, and the people who lived there became traders. Throughout trade the Arabs met and influenced different cultures. This is a way in which the religion of began to spread.
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History
The history of Islam begins with the Prophet Muhammad. In the religion of Islam, Muhammad is considered the founder. He is accepted by Muslims throughout the as the last of the prophets of God. Muhammad is considered to be Allah's messenger. Muhammad was born in Mecca, in the year of A.D. 570. His parents belonged to the family of the Banu Hashim which belong to the ruling tribe of Mecca. Muhammad's father died before he was born and his mother died when he was six years old. He was orphaned at an early age, and was sent to live with his grandfather in the desert. He made a living as a caravan trader. One day, at the Mountain of Light near Mecca, Muhammad received a message from the archangel Gabriel. This occurred in the year of 610. Gabriel appeared in form of a man and told him that he was called to be the prophet of God and revealed verses for Muhammad to recite. He was instructed to recite and teach them to others.
Muhammad began to do as told, but people began to question and thought that it was false. They criticized his ideas & conducts. The people who had power, even threatened their authority on him. Looking for a more accepting place, Muhammad and his followers settled in the town on Yathrib. This was in AD 622. Yathrib, which is currently Medina, is considered the "City of the Prophet." The journey from Mecca to Yathrib is known as a hijrah. Later in time the HIjrah became the first year of the Muslim calendar. While in Yathrib, he gained followers and tribed began to accept his ideas. With the opposing sides, Mecca and Medina had tension. After years of tension Mecca accepted his ideas and Muhammad returned in A.D. 630.
The Kaaba, which was a place in Mecca with all the idols, was destroyed and dedicated to only one God, Allah. As the years passed, Arabs everywhere began to accept his ideas. His followers became known as Muslims. Eventually, Muhammad created the religion which they all accepted and followed which is Islam.
The history of Islam begins with the Prophet Muhammad. In the religion of Islam, Muhammad is considered the founder. He is accepted by Muslims throughout the as the last of the prophets of God. Muhammad is considered to be Allah's messenger. Muhammad was born in Mecca, in the year of A.D. 570. His parents belonged to the family of the Banu Hashim which belong to the ruling tribe of Mecca. Muhammad's father died before he was born and his mother died when he was six years old. He was orphaned at an early age, and was sent to live with his grandfather in the desert. He made a living as a caravan trader. One day, at the Mountain of Light near Mecca, Muhammad received a message from the archangel Gabriel. This occurred in the year of 610. Gabriel appeared in form of a man and told him that he was called to be the prophet of God and revealed verses for Muhammad to recite. He was instructed to recite and teach them to others.
Muhammad began to do as told, but people began to question and thought that it was false. They criticized his ideas & conducts. The people who had power, even threatened their authority on him. Looking for a more accepting place, Muhammad and his followers settled in the town on Yathrib. This was in AD 622. Yathrib, which is currently Medina, is considered the "City of the Prophet." The journey from Mecca to Yathrib is known as a hijrah. Later in time the HIjrah became the first year of the Muslim calendar. While in Yathrib, he gained followers and tribed began to accept his ideas. With the opposing sides, Mecca and Medina had tension. After years of tension Mecca accepted his ideas and Muhammad returned in A.D. 630.
The Kaaba, which was a place in Mecca with all the idols, was destroyed and dedicated to only one God, Allah. As the years passed, Arabs everywhere began to accept his ideas. His followers became known as Muslims. Eventually, Muhammad created the religion which they all accepted and followed which is Islam.
Beliefs/Values
Six Articles of Faith
1. Belief in one God
2. Belief in Angels
3. Belief in Prophets of God
4. Belief in Reveled Book of God
5. Belief in Day of Judgment
6. Belief in Destiny and Divine Decree
The Five Pillars
1. Declaration of Faith
2. Daily Prayer: Prayer is a method by which a Muslim connects to God and gathers spiritual strength and peace of mind. Muslims perform five formal prayers a day.
3. Zakah: A type of charity. Muslims recognize that all wealth is a blessing from God, and certain responsibilities are required in return. In Islam, it is the duty of the wealthy to help the poor and needy.
4. Fast of Ramadan: Once each year, Muslims are commanded to fast for an entire month from dawn to sunset. The period of intense spiritual devotion is known as the fast of Ramadan in which no food, drink and sex is allowed during the fast. After sunset one can enjoy these things. During this month Muslims practice self-control and focus on prayers and devotion. During the fast, Muslims learn to sympathize with those in the world who have little to eat.
5.The Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca: Every Muslim strives to make once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to the sacred sites in Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia. It is the most intense spiritual experience for a Muslim. Typically, 2-3 million perform hajj every year.
Six Articles of Faith
1. Belief in one God
2. Belief in Angels
3. Belief in Prophets of God
4. Belief in Reveled Book of God
5. Belief in Day of Judgment
6. Belief in Destiny and Divine Decree
The Five Pillars
1. Declaration of Faith
2. Daily Prayer: Prayer is a method by which a Muslim connects to God and gathers spiritual strength and peace of mind. Muslims perform five formal prayers a day.
3. Zakah: A type of charity. Muslims recognize that all wealth is a blessing from God, and certain responsibilities are required in return. In Islam, it is the duty of the wealthy to help the poor and needy.
4. Fast of Ramadan: Once each year, Muslims are commanded to fast for an entire month from dawn to sunset. The period of intense spiritual devotion is known as the fast of Ramadan in which no food, drink and sex is allowed during the fast. After sunset one can enjoy these things. During this month Muslims practice self-control and focus on prayers and devotion. During the fast, Muslims learn to sympathize with those in the world who have little to eat.
5.The Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca: Every Muslim strives to make once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to the sacred sites in Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia. It is the most intense spiritual experience for a Muslim. Typically, 2-3 million perform hajj every year.
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Demographics
According to a study conducted in 2009, about 23% of the World's Population are Muslims. That is approximately 1.57 billion people.
* The darker colors indicate the amount of people.
According to a study conducted in 2009, about 23% of the World's Population are Muslims. That is approximately 1.57 billion people.
* The darker colors indicate the amount of people.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/9/6/26960559/6532910.jpg)
Important Figures
Muhammad- The founder of Islam
Abu Bakr- chosen as Muhammad's successor by Muslims, one of Muhammad's oldest friends and early converts
The Kaaba- place dedicated to Allah in Mecca
Muhammad- The founder of Islam
Abu Bakr- chosen as Muhammad's successor by Muslims, one of Muhammad's oldest friends and early converts
The Kaaba- place dedicated to Allah in Mecca
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Holidays/Celebrations/Significant Days
-Ramadan is a special month of the year for over one billion Muslims throughout the world. It is a time for inner reflection, devotion to God, and self-control. Muslims think of it as a kind of tune-up for their spiritual lives.
-The third "pillar" or religious obligation of Islam, fasting has many special benefits. Among these, the most important is that it is a means of learning self-control. Ramadan is also a time of intensive worship, reading of the Qur'an, giving charity, purifying one's behavior, and doing good deeds.
-As a secondary goal, fasting is a way of experiencing hunger and developing sympathy for the less fortunate, and learning to thankfulness and appreciation for all of God's bounties. Fasting is also beneficial to the health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits or overindulgence.
-Ramadan is a special month of the year for over one billion Muslims throughout the world. It is a time for inner reflection, devotion to God, and self-control. Muslims think of it as a kind of tune-up for their spiritual lives.
-The third "pillar" or religious obligation of Islam, fasting has many special benefits. Among these, the most important is that it is a means of learning self-control. Ramadan is also a time of intensive worship, reading of the Qur'an, giving charity, purifying one's behavior, and doing good deeds.
-As a secondary goal, fasting is a way of experiencing hunger and developing sympathy for the less fortunate, and learning to thankfulness and appreciation for all of God's bounties. Fasting is also beneficial to the health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits or overindulgence.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/9/6/26960559/7920302.jpg?416)
Worship/Religious Practices
Muslims follow the holy book of the Qur'an. The Qur'an is the word of God as revealed to Muhammad. It includes the rules and instructions for living right. Included are the Five Pillars of Islam (mentioned above).
The place where Muslims worship are called Mosque. Their teachings forbid them to use human or animal figures so they use geometric and floral designs.
Muslims observe five formal prayers each day. They are spaced evenly throughout the day.
-Fajr (pre-dawn)
This prayer starts off the day with the remembrance of God; it is performed before sunrise.
-Dhuhr (Noon)
After the day's work has begun, they break shortly after noon to again remember God and seek his guidance.
-'Asr (afternoon)
In the late afternoon, people are usually busy wrapping up the day's work, getting kids home from school, etc. It is an important time to take a few minutes to remember God and the greater meaning of our lives.
-Maghrib (sunset)
Just after the sun goes down, Muslims remember God again as the day begins to become night.
-Isha (evening)
Before retiring for the night, Muslims again take time to remember God's presence, guidance, mercy, and forgiveness.
Muslims follow the holy book of the Qur'an. The Qur'an is the word of God as revealed to Muhammad. It includes the rules and instructions for living right. Included are the Five Pillars of Islam (mentioned above).
The place where Muslims worship are called Mosque. Their teachings forbid them to use human or animal figures so they use geometric and floral designs.
Muslims observe five formal prayers each day. They are spaced evenly throughout the day.
-Fajr (pre-dawn)
This prayer starts off the day with the remembrance of God; it is performed before sunrise.
-Dhuhr (Noon)
After the day's work has begun, they break shortly after noon to again remember God and seek his guidance.
-'Asr (afternoon)
In the late afternoon, people are usually busy wrapping up the day's work, getting kids home from school, etc. It is an important time to take a few minutes to remember God and the greater meaning of our lives.
-Maghrib (sunset)
Just after the sun goes down, Muslims remember God again as the day begins to become night.
-Isha (evening)
Before retiring for the night, Muslims again take time to remember God's presence, guidance, mercy, and forgiveness.
Works Cited-http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/10256/
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/396226/Muhammad/251796/The-advent-of-the-revelation-and-the-Meccan-period
http://www.truthbeknown.com/islam.htm
http://www.colostate.edu/orgs/MSA/events/Ramadan.html
http://www.patheos.com/Library/Islam/Ritual-Worship-Devotion-Symbolism/Worship-and-Devotion-in-Daily-Life.html
Holt World History Textbook
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/396226/Muhammad/251796/The-advent-of-the-revelation-and-the-Meccan-period
http://www.truthbeknown.com/islam.htm
http://www.colostate.edu/orgs/MSA/events/Ramadan.html
http://www.patheos.com/Library/Islam/Ritual-Worship-Devotion-Symbolism/Worship-and-Devotion-in-Daily-Life.html
Holt World History Textbook