Five Pillars of Islam Allah Prays for Poor, Hungry people in Mecca!

1. Five Pillars of Islam Allah Prays for Poor, Hungry people in Mecca!

2. Geography Overview • Unit of Study • Middle East • Country: • Saudi Arabia • Cities: • Mecca and Medina

3. The Story of Muhammad (as understood my Mr. P) While escaping it all in a local cave, Muhammad was told to “recite” the word of God (Allah) from an angel named Gabriel. This ability would make him a prophet, or messenger of god. Upon his return home, as you can imagine, many thought he was crazy. The idea of a single God, or monotheism, was defiant of the accepted belief by neighboring tribes and leaders that there were many gods (polytheism). These tribes believed in worshiping idols that represented the gods, some leaders even sold the idols in Mecca. Muhammad fled to Medina. Still, by leading through positive example, slowly he gained followers. Eventually Islam would spread throughout the Arabian peninsula and throughout most of the middle east. He returned to Meeca, which is a holy city today. His revelations of the word of Allah were recorded in the Qu’ran (holybook of Islam). Today, Islam is the second largest religion in the world. There are 1.200 billion muslims in the world according to, CAIR (Council on American-Islamic relations).

4. Five Pillar Introduction • After Muhammad’s death companions desired to maintain an Islamic community. • Muhammad’s companions recorded all of his revelations into Koran (Qur’an), & his life practices in the Sunna (Sunnah-The Haddith interpreted) • Sunna and Koran provide rules and daily life practices for all Muslims to live by • Most basic rules of the Sunna and Koran are in the Five Pillars

5. Pillar 1: Allah, Profession of Faith • There is only one God (Allah) and Muhammad is his Prophet

6. Pillar 2: Prays • States number of times a Muslims should pray. • Five times: dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and dark

7. Pillar 3: Poor, Almsgiving (Zakat) • Islam recognizes that material things are important • So, 2½% of a Muslims annual income goes to the poor. ($40,000=$1,000 a year)

8. Pillar 4: Hungry People, Ramadan • From Sunrise to Sunset no food or drinks during the holy month of Ramadan. • Ramadan is from September 1, 2008- September 29, 2008.

9. Pillar 5: In Mecca, Pilgrimage (hajj) • Those Muslims who are physically and economically able… • Must at one time during their lifetime make a pilgrimage to Mecca.

10. Daily Life of Muslims • Both the Qu’ran and Sunna cover all aspects of muslim life from diet, marriage, divorce, business contracts even how to clean your teeth!!! • Muslims may not drink alcohol, eat pork or gamble. • Some Characterize life as a struggle to “resist evil temptations” • The Qu’ran prohibits women to marry non-muslims

11. Homework Example • Dear Jamal, One day my husband was home working on a new shield, and I was cooking dinner. When it was time to pray, I kneeled on my mat and started to bow, but still my husbands pounding hammer. What should I do? -Prayer Disturbed Dear Prayer disturbed, I think you should make sure your husband prays or he may make a habit of not praying. If he continues not to pray, inform a holyman. -Jamal