ISLAM

1. ISLAM Learning Goals: I will understand what the words “Islam” and “Muslim” mean. I will understand the role of the prophet Muhammad on the Muslim faith. I will understand the 7 Characteristics of Muhammad I will understand Islam’s 6 Essential Beliefs Agenda: Lecture with notes to accompany key learning goals

2. ISLAM Learning Goal: I will understand the 7 Characteristics of Muhammad The Characteristics of Muhammad 1) Visionary:Muhammad spent time alone in the caves around his hometown of Mecca. In them, he heard a voice speaking to him. He came to realize that this was the voice of the angel Gabriel. He understood that the angel was revealing to him messages from the same God who had spoken to earlier prophets. This God was Allah.

3. ISLAM Learning Goal: I will understand the 7 Characteristics of Muhammad The Characteristics of Muhammad 2) Preacher:Although at first Muhammad did not know what to do with the messages that he received from Allah, with the encouragement of his wife, he began to preach the message to others. Muhammad was illiterate; he could neither read nor write. However, he served as a worthy messenger of God and he convinced many people of the truth of God’s message as it was revealed to him.

4. ISLAM Learning Goal: I will understand the 7 Characteristics of Muhammad The Characteristics of Muhammad 3) Political Leader: Muhammad did not view God’s message as limited only to spiritual concerns. For him, God’s word was meant to rule all areas of life. In effect, Muhammad governed the cities of Medina and Mecca and, by the time of his death, all the territory that the Muslims had converted or conquered as well.

5. ISLAM Learning Goal: I will understand the 7 Characteristics of Muhammad The Characteristics of Muhammad 4) Military Leader: Muhammad did not renounce violence. Rather, he saw the use of violence in the defense of God’s word to be acceptable and appropriate. He actually led troops into battle.

6. ISLAM Learning Goal: I will understand the 7 Characteristics of Muhammad The Characteristics of Muhammad 5) Monotheist:In a region dominated by Polytheists, Muhammad strongly affirmed the belief in only one God. At his death, when some of his followers wanted to proclaim him God, his successor, Abu Bakr, forbid it. There is only one God and Muhammad was only God’s messenger.

7. ISLAM Learning Goal: I will understand the 7 Characteristics of Muhammad The Characteristics of Muhammad 6) Moralist:For the most part, Arabs of Muhammad’s time followed a “might makes right” morality. Those in power did as they pleased; those without power made do as best they could. To this morally wanting society Muhammad preached a strict moral code by which all people must abide. A Muslim of whatever degree of wealth or power must follow the same rules set down in the Qur’an as any other Muslim.

8. ISLAM Learning Goal: I will understand the 7 Characteristics of Muhammad The Characteristics of Muhammad 7) Egalitarian: Muhammad stood for equality. In his vision, everyone shares a similar relationship to the almighty God; everyone must surrender to God’s will. When Muslims pray together, all men form a line or, if necessary, additional lines. No one stands out as occupying a privileged position. Women also share a separate but equal position with Muslim men.

9. ISLAM Learning Goal: I will understand Islam’s 6 Essential Beliefs Belief in God/Allah The first and foremost doctrine Muhammad established was the “oneness” of God/Allah!! This doctrine implies the complete denial of polytheism and associating anything with God.

10. ISLAM Learning Goal: I will understand Islam’s 6 Essential Beliefs 2) Belief in Holy Books: For Muslims, the last and final source of revelation is the Qur’an which is the directly revealedrecord of the Angel Gabriel to Muhammad. It was recorded soon after the prophet’s death and so Muslims believe that it is accurate, complete and final. Closely related to the Qur’an is the Hadith which is a collection of writings of unknown origins that describe the words and deeds of Muhammad, the model of Muslim faith.

11. ISLAM Learning Goal: I will understand Islam’s 6 Essential Beliefs 3) Belief in Angels The third Muslim doctrine centers on Allah creating Angels (reasoning beings who exist in a hierarchy). Angels in the Muslim tradition include: Gabriel: who dictated the Qur’an to Muhammad. Asrafel: who will sound the trumpet for the Day of Judgment. Azrael: who is the angel of death.

12. ISLAM Learning Goal: I will understand Islam’s 6 Essential Beliefs 4) Belief in Prophets The Judeo-Christian and Muslim traditions are similar in understanding the importance of prophets. The prophet is like an “authorized spokesperson of God”. They are chosen and called by God to deliver a message or fulfill some sort of mission in the name of God. Although there is a great number of prophets, the predominant ones are: Adam: The chosen of AllahMoses: The speaker of Allah Noah: The preacher of AllahJesus: The word of Allah Abraham: The friend of AllahMuhammad: The apostle of Allah

13. ISLAM Learning Goal: I will understand Islam’s 6 Essential Beliefs 5) Belief in Destiny Muslims believe that everything (both good and bad), happens according to God’s will/plan. Once one has submitted totally to Allah’s will, whatever happens will happen for the best of the individual.

14. ISLAM Learning Goal: I will understand Islam’s 6 Essential Beliefs 6) Belief in The Day of Judgment It is a common Muslim belief that it is Jesus who will bring in the last days. As in the Judeo-Christian tradition, Muslims believe that at the end of the world, God will sit in judgment. Unlike Jews however, Muslims believe that Jesus (as the Messiah) will play a central role in this. Both the Qur’an and Hadith contain descriptions of what will take place on the last day. Muslims also believe in heaven and hell (not purgatory) and in the resurrection of the body. The good will be rewarded and the evil will be punished.

15. ISLAM Learning Goal: I will understand the function and role of the Qur’an on Islam. Agenda: Journal: Words from the Qur’an Quick lecture on the Qur’an including differences and similarities between the Bible and the Qur’an Text Book Reading Blue Book: p. 207-210 Orange Book: 343-345

16. ISLAM Learning Goal: I will understand each of the 5 Pillars of Islam. Agenda: Blue Book pages 196-199 Summarize each of the 5 Pillars How do I do this? Write the title of the pillar Explain what it means. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IVM3Xi8c6Y&feature=related

17. ISLAM Learning Goals (A re-cap of the learning goals we’ve covered): I will understand what the words “Islam” and “Muslim” mean. I will understand the role of the prophet Muhammad on the Muslim faith. I will understand the 7 Characteristics of Muhammad I will understand Islam’s 6 Essential Beliefs I will understand the 5 Pillars of Islam I will understand the cultural impact of Islam. Agenda: Watch the wrap up “Crash Course” video on Islam: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpcbfxtdoI8

18. ISLAM Learning Goals: I will understand the role of women in Islam according to the Qur’an and Muslim faith. I will have an understanding of the current debate over the use of the hijab/burka which for many Muslim women, is a major part of their identity and a choice. Agenda: Read as a class, “My Body is My Own Business” and discuss. Watch 3 You tube videos and discuss each as a class: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXzUuKdfnRE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTxJg8p-Q6Y CNN Debate Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TQL8Tvj3tA

19. ISLAM Learning Goals: I will understand the role of women in Islam according to the Qur’an and Muslim faith. I will have an understanding of the current debate over the use of the hijab/burka which for many Muslim women, is a major part of their identity and a choice. The reality of the role of women within the Islamic faith becomes clouded by the fact they are unable to perform the majority of activities that are at the heart of Muslim practice seen through the Five Pillars. Despite this, the role of women is highly revered among faithful Muslims and women have a special role within Islam even if this means they are not practicing Salat, for example, on a daily basis. Also, seeing as the Qur’an is the primary source for Muslims and their way of life, many of the Islamic views on women come directly from the Qur’an. There is discussion on many different aspects of the role of women.

20. ISLAM Learning Goals: I will understand the role of women in Islam according to the Qur’an and Muslim faith. I will have an understanding of the current debate over the use of the hijab/burka which for many Muslim women, is a major part of their identity and a choice. The issue of “polygamy”, marrying more than one person, is one of the most discussed matters of deprivation towards Islamic women. Muslim men can marry up to four women but Muslim women may only marry one Muslim man. However, the Qur’an outlines restrictions for men. Though he may marry up to four wives, he must treat all four women justly. If he is unable to do this, according to the Qur’an it is better if he marry only one. “…marry of the women, who seem good to you, two or three or four; and if ye fear that ye cannot do justice (to so many) then one (only)…” On the matter of marriage though, the Qur’an outlines that a man has more authority. With this authority comes the responsibility of caring for and respecting his wife. Also, the Muslim wife has legal rights for marriage. Marriage is considered a contract (not a sacrament) and she can dictate the terms of her contract/marriage. Note: The percentage of Muslim men having more than one wife is small and it has been outlawed in countries such as Turkey.

21. ISLAM Learning Goals: I will understand the role of women in Islam according to the Qur’an and Muslim faith. I will have an understanding of the current debate over the use of the hijab/burka which for many Muslim women, is a major part of their identity and a choice. The Qur’an has also outlined traditional views on women. Such customs as keeping the women veiled, stressing their obedience towards men, and valuing chastity and the role of procreation are still strong in Islamic communities today. Therefore, the Qur’an identifies the role of a woman as different from a man due to nature and most restrictions are placed on women because of this. Modern trends have continued to have an impact on the laws governing women and their daily lives. Recent social changes have influenced the lives of women in Islam and though many believe that they are oppressed, many Muslim women are proud to proclaim their faith. They also, for example, physically show they are Muslim through the use of the veil or hijab that they believe eliminates being treated as a sex object.

22. ISLAM Learning Goals: I will understand the role of women in Islam according to the Qur’an and Muslim faith. I will have an understanding of the current debate over the use of the hijab/burka which for many Muslim women, is a major part of their identity and a choice. In modern or non-Islamic societies, we witness numerous amounts of women being scarred by eating disorders, performing endless operations and surgeries to obtain what they believe to be “a perfect body” or image, and the value of sexuality as being sacred has diminished greatly. Muslim women who are proud of their identity as “Muslim” are happy to stray away from trying to become who society or men want them to be. With women in our society constantly trying to conform to what the media classifies as “attractive”, perhaps we should question whether or not we’re the ones who are oppressed.

23. ISLAM Learning Goals: I will understand each of the Islamic festivals and milestones and be able to identify the significance of each. Independent Text Work Blue Book: Pages 201-204 Answer # 1-2 (p.204) and summarize the “Life Cycle Rituals” Orange Book: Copy out the chart on p. 336 summarizing each of the festivals. Note: Make sure to read through each to ensure you understand each.