Islam

Islam

6th Grade Social Studies

Today's Objective

How do the beliefs and practices of Islam shape Muslims' lives?

Anchor Question

• What accomplishment from Islam or Medieval Asia most impacted the world?

Introduction

• Central to Muslim practice are the Five Pillars of Islam

• The Qur'an and the Sunnah lay out the foundation for Muslim practices

• Jihad represents Muslims' struggle with internal and external challenges as they strive to please God

• Shari'ah is the fundamental religious concept of Islam, primarily its law

A Little History

Since the time of Muhammad, Islam has had an impact on world history. Islam spread rapidly throughout the Middle East, across North Africa to Spain, and across Central Asia nearly to China. In addition to sharing a common faith, Muslims also belonged to a single Islamic community, called the ummah, that blended many peoples and cultures.

Interesting Facts

• Islam is the world's second largest religion

• One out of four people in the world is Muslim

• Most people in the Middle East and North Africa are Muslim, but Muslims live in nearly every country of the world

• The majority of Muslims live in Asia

• Islam is also one of the fastest-growing religions in the United States

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT true regarding the religion of Islam?

• Islam is one of the fastest-growing religions in the U.S.

• The majority of Muslims live in Africa

• Islam is the world's second largest religion

• Muslims live in nearly every country of the world

Commonalities

• Islam, Judaism, and Christianity all are monotheistic or believe in one God

• All trace their origins to Abraham

• Their scriptures all include such figures as Adam, Noah, and Moses

• Muslims believe that all three religions worship the same God

• Muslims believe Jesus will return to Earth before the Day of Judgment to restore justice and defeat “the false messiah”

Multiple Select

Which of the following do Islam, Judaism, and Christianity have in common? Select all that apply. There are multiple answers.

• All believe in one God

• All trace their origins to Moses

• Muslims believe that all three religions worship the same God

• Jews and Muslims believe Jesus will return to Earth before the Day of Judgment

• Each of their scriptures include such figures as Adam, Noah, and Moses

Qur'an

• The Qur'an is the holy book for Muslims

• God describes his laws and moral teachings, or the “straight path,” through the Qur'an

• Regarded as the direct word of God, the book holds a central position for Muslims everywhere, and even inspires Muslim art, poetry, and literature

• The Qur'an contains passages that Muslims believe Muhammad received from the angel Gabriel

Sunnah & Hadith

• The Sunnah "practice" is the example that Muhammad set for Muslims during his life

• What Muhammad did or said in a certain situation has set a precedent, or guideline, for all Muslims

• About 300 years after Muhammad's death, 1000s of reports had spread throughout Muslim lands

• Called hadith, these accounts provided written evidence of Muhammad's Sunnah through his own words and deeds

Multiple Choice

Why is the Qur’an the holy book of Islam?

• It tells the story of Muhammad's life and death.

• It records the words of God spoken by Gabriel.

• It is a collection of sermons by the prophet Muhammad.

• It records the history of the Arabs and the spread of Islam.

Five Pillars of Islam

The First Pillar of Islam is shahadah (shah-HAH-dah), the profession or declaration of faith. To show belief in one God and in Muhammad's prophethood, a Muslim testifies, “I bear witness that there is no god but God, and that Muhammad is the messenger of God.”

Five Pillars of Islam

• The Second Pillar of Islam is salat (SAH-laht), daily ritual prayer

• Muslims are called to prayer five times a day: at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and after nightfall

• Beforehand Muslims wash according and then prostrate himself or herself on the ground in the direction of Mecca

• Mecca is the birthplace of Muhammad and is where the Ka'bah, the holiest shrine in Islam, is located

Multiple Select

Why is the city of Mecca important in Muslim tradition? Select TWO answers.

• Most Muslims today live there

• It was the birthplace of Muhammad

• Muhammad moved there with his followers

• It is where the Ka'bah, the holiest shrine in Islam, is located

Five Pillars of Islam

• The Third Pillar of Islam is zakat, or charity

• The Qur'an says wealthy people should share their riches with the less fortunate

• The word zakat means “purification.”

• Muslims believe that wealth becomes pure by giving some of it away, and that sharing wealth helps control greed

• Muslims must share about one-fortieth (2.5 percent) of their surplus wealth each year

Five Pillars of Islam

• The Fourth Pillar of Islam is sawm, or fasting (going without food)

• The Qur'an instructs Muslims to fast for an entire month during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar

• During Ramadan, Muslims fast from daybreak to the setting of the sun

• Pregnant women, travelers, the sick, the elderly, and young children do not have to fast

• Ramadan was the month when God first revealed his message to Muhammad

Five Pillars of Islam

• The Fifth Pillar of Islam is hajj (HAJZH), the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca

• In the twelfth month of the Islamic year, millions of believers from all over the world come together at Mecca

• All adult Muslims who are financially and physically able to make the journey are expected to perform the hajj at least once during their lifetime

• By bringing Muslims from many places and cultures together, the hajj promotes fellowship and equality

Multiple Choice

The Five Pillars of Islam teach Muslims to do all of the following EXCEPT:

• Prayer (salat)

• Charity (zakat)

• Fasting (swam)

• Reading the Quran (shariah)

• Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)

Jihad

• Jihad means “to strive”

• Some people interpret the duty to mean a “physical struggle with spiritual significance”

• The Qur'an tells Muslims to fight to protect themselves from those who would harm them or to right a terrible wrong

• Early Muslims considered efforts to protect their territory and conquests to extend their empire as forms of jihad

• However, the Qur'an forbids Muslims to force others to convert to Islam, so non-Muslims under Muslim rule were usually allowed to practice their faiths

Jihad 

In another interpretation, jihad represents the human struggle to overcome difficulties and do things that would be pleasing to God. Muslims strive to respond positively to personal difficulties as well as to worldly challenges. For instance, they might work to become better people, reform society, or correct injustice.

Jihad

Today, some have used jihad to try to make their government more Islamic or to resist perceived aggression from non-Muslims with acts of violence and terrorism. However, most Muslims reject such actions and believe that to deliberately harm civilians, including non-Muslims, is forbidden in Islam. They agree that although the Qur'an allows war, it sets specific terms for fighting. Muhammad told his followers to honor agreements made with foes and for fighters to not mutilate (remove or destroy) the dead bodies of enemies. He also forbade harming certain people, such as children or the elderly, and destroying property and sacred objects.

Islamic Law: Shari'ah

The search to understand God's law is called shari'ah. Muslims use the Qur'an and the Sunnah as important sources to try to understand shari'ah. Shari'ah covers Muslims' duties toward God and others. It guides them in their personal behavior and relationships with others. Shari'ah promotes obedience to the Qur'an and respect for others.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a guiding principle of the religion of Islam?

• Qur'an

• Shari'ah

• Sunnah

• Torah

Poll

Which of the monotheistic religions are you most fascinated with?

• Christianity

• Judaism

• Islam

Open Ended

What are two central beliefs of Islam? Briefly explain your examples.