Origin

• Muhammad (ca. 570-632 CE) lived and worked in Mecca.
• Was active within the caravan business (a main source of Meccan income).
• Married a wealthy widow named Khadija.

• Was "called" around 610 CE.
• Insisted, as a result, that all people were equal in the sight of God.

Important Terms and Concepts

• The term "Islam" derives from its purpose: full surrender to God which brings ultimate purpose and eternal peace.
• "Allah" means "the God."
• Prior to Muhammad's calling, Arabian religions were polytheistic.
• The spread of Islam (and the victory of Allah) corresponded with the spread of culture and politics.

Five Pillars:

• Shahadah
• Prayer (salat)
• Required alms-giving (zakat)
• Ramadan (sawm, or siyam)
• Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Texts

• Quran means "recitation."
• It is read literally and often considered to be a facsimile of an uncreated Quran in Heaven.
• Its revelation took 23 years.

• The Quran is considered to be the continuation of the Jewish and Christian Bibles.
• Basic theological concepts about God are similar to those in both Judaism and Christianity.

From Yathrib to Medina

• Medina vs. Mecca: an economic showdown.

Theological Building Blocks

• Human beings are the foremost of God's creations
• Because humans were created, they are obligated.
• The individuality of the soul is everlasting.

• On the Day of Judgment, individuals will either go to Heaven or Hell.
• The community (umma) must purify itself for Heaven.
• The teachings of the Quran revolve around the interrelationship of God, creation, the human self, and the Day of Judgment.

Four stages of revelation include:

• Monotheism revealed to Abraham
• Ten Commandments revealed to Moses
• Golden Rule revealed to Jesus
• Quran revealed to Muhammad

"Every Muslim Is a Brother to Every Other."

Ummah

• Statement of social-religious identity (We are community.)
• Statement of interpersonal relations (Protect the community.)
• Statement of function (Preserve the community.)

Islamic Law (Sharia)

Islamic law covers several general areas:

• The attributes of divine law as a legal and political function for society, as well as moral, ethical, and social emphases.
• The revealed law = framework/blueprint

• In part, the intent of the law is to safeguard human rights.
  • Every human being has the right to practice religion.
  • Every human being has the right to life and the possession of private property.

• The attainment of good is the goal of human existence and the purpose of human rights.
  • The "rights" of God are above human rights.

• Religion should protect against tyranny.
  • Governments should be products of their societies.
  • Religion offers the ultimate freedom.