Muhammad
Islam began as the religion of the Arabian Peninsula and spread to regions along the North African coast, Arabia, Persia and into India. The rise of Islam could not have occurred without the Prophet Muhammad and the network of early trade routes; these major trade routes were located along the Mediterranean coast from southern Arabia to Syria and then Palestine. Merchants extended trade routes from the area of Baghdad to eastern Africa (Egypt). The Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca about the year 570 CE. Muhammad married a young widow who ran a caravan business. In the years following his marriage he became a prosperous merchant. At the age of 40 troubled by the lack of morality in society he went out to a desert cave to meditate. Muslims believe here the angel Gabriel spoke to him in the desert and Islam became a religion. In Arabic the word Islam means submission and God is Allah. Many did not accept Muhammad's teachings especially his fellow merchants who believed they would not become successful without the pilgrims who came to worship idols in Mecca. In 622, Muhammad faced threats of death because of his beliefs and fled Mecca and journeyed to Medina or the "City of the Prophet" (www.islam.101.com/dawah/pillars.html)
The first year of the Muslim calendar is 622 CE which signifies the adoption of Islam by the people of Medina. Muhammad's journey became known as the Hajj. He became Medina's ruler and lawgiver. From Medina he sent out Muslim forces to attack caravans traveling to and from Mecca. The Meccans were defeated and in 630 CE Muhammad returned to Mecca. Once in Mecca he destroyed all idols and united the Arabs under the religion of Islam (www.islam.101.com/dawah/pillars.html)
Islam is a monotheistic religion based on the belief of one God. The Quran is their sacred text. Islam has no official priests who mediate between the people and God. After Muhammad's death Islam spread from the Arabian coast to the Indus Valley.
A Way of Life
Islam is more than a religion; it is a way of life for Muslims. Today Islam is the 3rd largest religion in the world and its language Arabic is spoken by approximately 246 million people and Arabic is the official language of 23 countries... (www.beliefnet.com/story_20723_2.html). Islam religion is based on five principles known as the Five Pillars of Islam. They are:
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1. Faith and belief in the Oneness of God
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Statement by the faithful to Allah and his Prophet Muhammad.
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2. Daily Prayers known as Salah
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Pray 5 times a day toward the direction of Mecca and in a Mosque the Imam leads the prayers. This is the link between the worshipper and God.
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3. Giving charity or Zakah.
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An important belief of Islam is that everything belongs to God and humans hold possessions in trust. Originally a free-will donation, it is now required to give to needy Muslims or for any religious purpose.
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4. Fasting or Sawm
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During the month of Ramadan Muslims abstain from food, drink during the day. They eat at night. This is regarded as a form of self-purification and restraint.
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5.The Hajj or Pilgrimage
Every Muslim man or women who are physically and financially able should try to make it to Mecca once in their lives. During the Hajj all participants wear simple white clothes known as Ihram which represents the equality of all people.
The Hajj
The Hajj recreates past events for the Muslim people which occurs over the span of 10 days. Over two million people return to Mecca each year to perform the Hajj. According to Islamic tradition they must refrain from sex, haircuts, wearing jewelry and arguing to remain in a spiritual mode (www.islam-guide.com/sh3-16.htm). They reenact these past events:
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1. Tawaf: Circle the Ka'ba counterclockwise seven times which symbolizes Abraham, Hagar, Ishmael and Muhammad.
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2. Touch the black stone of Ka'ba which signifies:
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3. Sa'y: Running 7 times between hills and drinking from Zamam spring to recall Hagar's running for water.
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4. Throwing 49 stones at the 3 different pillars to signify Abraham's stoning of Satan.
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5. On the 8th day pilgrim's move to the desert, live in tents and stand in prayer at the Plain of Arafat and the Mount of Mercy.
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6. They participate in the Feast of Sacrifice where lambs are slaughtered and the meat given to the poor.
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7. They return to Mecca for the second circling of the Ka'ba.
