Chapter 11 The Worlds of Islam

In the U.S. Islam has made a presence:
1,200 mosques and 8 million muslims, 2 million african americans
600-1600
21st century: 1.2 billion muslims in the world accounting 22% of the world's population

Allah: Arab Pantheon God
Arabs found lesser Gods, including the three daughters of Allah
Identified Allah to Yahweh, the Jewish High God, and called themselves as "children of Abraham

Muhammed Ibn Abdullah (570-632 C.E.)
Born in Mecca
Orphaned early in life and adopted by an uncle.
Troubled by the religious corruption in Mecca
Muhammed's revelations started in 610 C.E. and continued the next 22 years
Recorded in the Quran, the sacred scriptures of Islam
Monotheistic religion making Allah the only all-powerful God.

The Quran submission to Allah was the primary obligation for believers and means of achieving a place in paradise after death.
The Quran demanded social justice and laid out a plan for its implementation.
-solidarity
-equality
-concern for the poor
5 Pillars of Islam
1. There is no god but Allah and Muhammed is the messenger of god.
2. Prayer- 5 times a day and facing down toward Mecca
3. To give their wealth to maintain the community and help the needy
4. Month of fasting- no food, drink, or sexual relations from the first light of dawn to sundown during Ramadan, the ninth lunar month of the Islamic calendar.
5. Pilgrimage to Mecca- hajj or pilgrimage.
6. Struggle or "jihad" Against greed and selfishness, a spiritual striving toward a God-conscious life.

Slaves and prisoners of war were among the early converts, in Persia.
Converts can also avoid the jizya, a tax impose on non-Muslims.

Men and Women of Islam
The Quran viewed women as inferior and subordinate.
Earlier in Arab practice women were given control over their own property.
Marriage was a contract between consenting parties, thus making marriage by capture illegitimate.
Women were to enjoy sexual satisfaction and could sue for divorce if they had not sexual relations for more than four months.
Divorce was possible for both parties
The practice of taking multiple husbands was prohibited, while polygyny( taking multiple wives) was permitted.
Men were limited to four wives and required to treat each equally.
Men were able to have sexual relations with slave women if its consented and if any children are birthed out that, they are automatically free, as was the mother once her owner died.
Men were strongly encouraged to marry orphans, widows, and slaves.