Islam began in what is city of Mecca (in modern day Saudi Arabia) in 610 C.E. with the life and revelations of a man named Muhammed. Islam shares the same tradition of ethical monotheism as Judaism and Christianity with the recognition and worship of the same One God referred to as Allah in Arabic. Islam literally means to surrender or to submit, and muslim means ‘one who submits’ to the will and guidelines of Allah. This module will provide a brief introduction to the history of Islam, address shared beliefs and practices in the Quran, and explore the wide range of diverse contemporary Muslim communities and traditions world wide.
Objectives:
- recognize significant historical people and events in Islamic history
- describe shared beliefs and practices in the Quran using theoretical frameworks from the field of religion
- situate a contemporary Muslim community within its specific social and historical contexts based on global flows and local circumstances
Islamic History
Islamic history begins in a small cave where the Prophet Muhammed receives a revelation from the One God, and a movement quickly rises into a series of empires and a worldwide phenomenon. Although it is the youngest among the world religions, it is the fastest growing religion and scholars expect it to surpass Christianity in numbers by the end of the century.
Quran
According to Islamic tradition, Gabriel, an angel sent by Allah (God), appeared to the Prophet Muhammad. Through many revelations, Gabriel revealed to Muhammad what Islam teaches is the last of Allah’s revelations to human-beings. The collection of these revelations are written in the Quran (sometimes spelled Koran), the holy book of Islam.
Global Muslim Community
As Islam spread around the world after its inception in the 7th century, different muslim communities experienced unique circumstances that resulted in distinctive histories, languages, religious practices, customs, and culture.
This module will provide a brief introduction to the history of Islam, address shared beliefs and practices in the Quran, and explore the wide range of diverse contemporary Muslim communities and traditions world wide.
Readings and Resources:
- Khan Academy: Introduction to Islam
- A Common Word
- University of Georgia Islam Education
- Council on Islamic Education
For Discussion: Write about your personal experiences with and existing knowledge about Islam. If you are not Muslim, describe how and where you have learned about Muslims and Islam. If you consider yourself Muslim, explain what it means to be Muslim from your perspective and describe any unique experiences, if any. (min 500 words and respond to at least two student posts.)
When you complete the discussion, go to the Historical Islam lesson.