Muslim+Beginnings

Muslim Beginnings

By Brianna Dinan, Stephanie Lim, Mike Finkle, and Sam Philips __The Basics of the Muslim Faith and Its Ties to Christianity __

 The father of all of Islam is a man named Muhammed. Muhammed as born in Makekah in 570 AD, when Christianity was not fully established in Europe. After being orphaned at a very young age, he was raised by his uncle, who lived in the respected tribe of Quarysh. Growing up, Muhammed became known for his generosity, honesty, and sincerity. At the age of 40, while meditating in a cave, he recieved a message from God through the angel Gabriel. He recieved messages from Gabriel for 23 years. This messages are now known as the //Quaran.// Soon after he began to spread the messages from Gabriel, Muhammed and his followers suffered bitter persecution, which got so bad that God told them to leave. This event is known as the Hijra (or "migration"), when they left Makkah for Madinah, marks the beginning of the Muslim Calendar. Within a century of his death, Islam had spread to Spain and in the West and as far east as China.

__The Five Pillars of the Muslim Faith__

1. **Shahadah:** Declaration of Muslim faith 2. **Salah:** Muslims must pray directly to the Quaran 5 times a day 3. **Sawm:** Fasting during the month of Ramadan 4. **Zakat:** Must give 2 1/2% of income to charity or the poor 5. **Hajj:** All Muslims must travel to Mecca at least once in their life



__History of the Muslim Faith __

1.) The religion of Arab world before the advent of Islam was originally polytheistic. 2.) Founded 622 CE 3.) The divsion of the Muslim faith occured after Muhammed died. 4.) Muslims were not sure who to make the new leader of their faith. - They had a choice between Abu Bakhr - his father in law and long time friend, or - Umar, who was in power at the time 5.) The faith ended up becoming divided into two groups : - Shiites - Sunnites. 6.) Although they claim to be united, they are more fragmented. -Ahmadiyya -Shi'a -Sufism -Sunni 7.) More sects followed afterwards, each of them militantly hostile to each other. *

__Muslim Practice During Holidays__

1. Eid - A - Adha 2. Isra Mer'aj 3. Ramadan 4. Eid - Al - Fitr
 * major holiday
 * celebrates the sacrifice that Abraham was able to makeof his own son for Allah.
 * large feast at the high point of the day.
 * lamb sacrificed. 1/3 given to the poor.
 * Muhammed went from Mecca to Jerusalem and ascended into heaven.
 * not celebrated by all Muslims
 * ones who do get together. Sweets are shared amongst the family
 * month long abstinence
 * honors the revelation of the holy word to Muhammed
 * Muslims don't eat or drink for the entire time that the sun is up
 * Ends with the feast of Eid - Ul - Fitr
 * end of the holy month
 * feast
 * Muslims are encouraged to dress in their best clothes
 * money and food distributed to the poor
 * people are encouraged to settle feuds and disputes.

__Conclusion__

1. The muslim faith is both peaceful and beautiful. 2. Not that different from Christianity yet there have been many disputes amongst the two groups. 3. People should be more religiously tolerant.

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