Introduction to Islamic Beliefs

• Many stories from the Torah and the Ten Commandments influenced Islamic teachings.
• Islam recognizes prophets from Abraham to Jesus
• Judaism and Christianity are referred to as "People of the Book" in the Quran.
• Islam shares a belief in one God, Allah, with Judaism and Christianity.
• Islam originated in the Arabian Peninsula
• Medina and Mecca are central cities where Islam developed.
• Mecca is particularly important as the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad.
• Muhammad was a merchant
• Muhammad was initially rejected in Mecca due to his monotheistic teachings.
• Muhammad migrated to Medina, gained followers, and launched a series of conquests.

Religious Belief (Theology)

• The Quran is the sacred book of Islam, revealed in Arabic.
• Arabic is the language of Islamic prayer.

Five Pillars of Islam

• Belief in one God (Allah).
• Muslims are required to pray five times a day, facing Mecca.
• Muslims are expected to give to the poor.
• Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.
• Muslims must make a pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) at least once in their lifetime if able.

Sharia (Islamic Law)

• Sharia is derived from the Quran and Hadith
• Sharia is divine law governing all aspects of a Muslim’s life.
• Fiqh refers to human interpretations of Sharia law.
• The application of Sharia is debated among traditionalists and reformists.

Jihad

• Jihad means "struggle" or "striving."
• Personal spiritual struggle to live a good life is the internal meaning
• Defense of Islam or spreading the faith is the external meaning
• Military: sometimes misinterpreted as "holy war."

Islamic Expansion

• Islam spread across Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe.
• Islam expanded from Spain to the Indus Valley, and further east to Indonesia.
• Islam reached West Africa via trade routes
• Islam reached Southeast Asia mainly through merchants.
• Expansion was largely through military conquest, especially in the early years of the Caliphates.
• Islam also spread through peaceful trade and cultural exchange in regions like West Africa and Southeast Asia.

Golden Age of Islam

• The Umayyads rose after the fall of the Rashidun Caliphate.
• Hereditary leadership and territorial expansion marked the Umayyad Caliphate's rise.
• The Umayyad Caliphate controlled land across three continents.
• Many Umayyads fled to the Iberian Peninsula after the Abbasid revolt
• The Umayyads established the Cordoba Caliphate
• The Cordoba Caliphate was known for religious tolerance, peaceful diplomacy, and cultural flourishing.
• The Abbasids, centered in Baghdad, focused on building a community of believers
• The Abbasids fostered intellectual and cultural advancements.

Advances in Science and Culture

• Islamic scholars made significant contributions to understanding the stars and planets.
• Muslim architects created mosques, palaces, and universities.
• There were advances in medical science and the establishment of hospitals
• Schools and libraries were built in key Islamic cities.
• The preservation and translation of Greek and Roman knowledge helped preserve classical learning.
• Spanish architecture and literature were notably influenced by Islamic culture.

Divisions in Islamic Tradition

Key Sects in Islam

• Sunni Islam: the majority group, emphasizing community consensus
• Sunni Islam promotes the leadership of the most qualified.
• Shia Islam is the second largest group
• Shia Islam focuses on leadership through the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad.
• Kharijites are a minority group advocating for strict adherence to Islamic principles.
• Initially, divisions were political, arising from disagreements over rightful leadership after Muhammad’s death.
• Divisions evolved into theological and juridical differences regarding interpretation and practice.