Religion paper

ISLAMprimer.pptx

ISLAM: A PRIMER

A quick overview of a much misunderstood faith

ORIGINS

Prophet Muhammad (570-632) born in Arabia.

Began receiving divine revelations in 610 & for rest of his life. Compiled after his death as the Quran/Koran.

Fled from Mecca to Medina in 622 (=year 0 in Muslim calendar), gains followers.

Mecca falls to Muslim forces in 630 after long struggle with opponents.

PROBLEM OF SUCCESSION

M. left no instructions re a successor, so Abu Bakr, who had led Muslims in prayer, became first caliph (632-34).

Followed by two of M’s close friends, Umar (634-44) & Uthman (644-56).

Then M’s cousin and son-in-law, Ali, but his caliphate was soon usurped, & he was murdered in 661.

Then Ali’s sons, Hasan & Hussein(who died a martyr).

THE BREAKUP

The party (=Shia) of Ali believed in a hereditary caliphate and become the Shiites.

But the majority of Muslims, Sunnis, believed in a democratic caliphate.

Hence, the split began & has divided the Muslim world ever since.

MAIN DIFFERENCES

Sunni Islam is larger (85%), Shia smaller 15%, but dominant in Iran & Iraq.

An imam is prayer leader in Sunni but a descendent of Ali in Shia & bearer of further revelations.

Martyrdom accepted in Sunni, prized in Shia.

Quran interpreted traditionally in Sunni, symbolically/allegorically in Shia.

Mahdi as messianic final imam in Shia.

SIMILARITIES

Quran as God’s (Allah’s) final & definitive revelation.

Practice of “Five Pillars” (recitation of creed, prayer 5x daily, fasting during Ramadan month, pilgrimage to Mecca once in life, charity).

Following of Sharia (Islamic law code).

DEMOGRAPHICS

1.8 mllion Muslims in 2019 (vs. 2.4 million Christians)

57 Muslim-majority countries in OIC

Islam will be largest religion by 2070 (Pew)

1% of US Muslims, and 3% worldwide, would justify terrorism against civilians in defense of Islam