Islam-+Group+3

= = =Period 4= =[]= [] [] = = = **RESEARCH GUIDE: ISLAM** = **1. What are the religion's followers called?** Muslims

a. The Koran/Quran monotheistic religion based on revelations received by the prophet Muhammad in the seventh century, which was recorded in the Koran.
 * 2. Religious Text:** (What is it made up of? Give a short explanation.)

a. Ramadan - This holiday is celebrated for a month. It occurs during the ninth month of the year. The people fast for god.
 * 2. Special Days:** (What are they celebrating? Are there any special activities?)

b. Aid al-Adha - This is one of the major festivals at the end of Hajj. It is to commemorate the faith of Abraham. It also commemorates the gift from god. Families sacrifice animals and give meat to family and friends. Communities also exchange gifts.

c. Aid al-Fitr - This is the festival for breaking the fast. This marks the end of Ramadan. It is a time for praying and visits to friends. Graves of loved ones are visited.

Muhammad- One night Muhammad was visited by a angel. He claimed he heard words from god and that he was supposed to be a messenger. He became a leader for Islamic people and preached gods words. He also led pilgrimages to Mecca. He was a prophet of god.
 * 3. Person:** (What was this person's role?)

Jerusalem- Third holiest city, original direction of prayer, Dome of the Rock- built over sacred stone Al-Aqsa Mosque- where Muhammad ascended into heaven, third holiest shrine
 * 4. Sacred Sites:** (Where is this site and why is this site special?)

Mecca- Location: Hijaz region in Saudi Arabia, Holiest city in Islam, which has Ka'ba- Muslim temple built around a black stone by Abraham, All Muslims pray in direction of Mecca, Pilgrimage to Mecca once a year, Kaaba "House of God", Muslims drink from well of Zamzam

Medina- Second holiest city, "City of Prophet" where Muhammad fled to and got his first followers, his growing movement place, brought unity to the city, Once holiest city of Islam

a. Sunni is the largest sect with 940 million adherents. These followers are called Sunnis or Sunnites, but the proper name is Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jamaa'h which means "adherents to the Sunnah and the assembly." The Sunnah is the prophet that the Sunnis follow, Abu Bakr.
 * 5. Major Branches:** (what are the differences in beliefs and actions between these sects?)

b. Shia or Shi'ites, as they are usually called, are very similar to the Sunnis. There are 120 million Shi'ites. The Shi'ites follow Ali, which is how they differ from the Sunnis. When Prophet Muhammad died, the Sunnis split off and followed Abu Bakr while the Shi'ites followed Ali. The Sunnis and the Shi'ites are similar since they have the same holy book, the Qur'an.

c. Wahabi is a term that most people do not use. This sect calls themselves the Muwahhidun (Unitarians.) They call themselves this because Wahabi used to be a derogatory word, and although it is not now, they still go by a different name. The Wahabi is a reform movement that began 200 years ago to rid Islamic societies of cultural practices and interpretations that had been acquired over the years. Abdul Wahab lead this reform. Now, the Wahabis mainly practice in Saudi Arabia, and almost all of Muslims in Mecca and Medina are Wahabis.

The Islamic Religion is primarily located in the Middle East and North Africa. It is the second largest religion in the world with over 1 billion followers. Indonesia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are the countries that are most populated with Muslims. 170,310,000 Muslims live in Indonesia, 136,000,000 in Pakistan, and 106,050,000 in Bangladesh.
 * 6. Primarily Located in the following countries:** (give numbers/percentages if available)

a.That to enter heaven or paradise depends on worshiping Allah and preforms good deeds on earth and will decided on Judgment Day to determine their eternal fate. b.There is only one God(Allah) c. The five pillars of Islam: One God and Muhammad is his prophet, Ritual Prayer, Take care of poor and needy, fasting during Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca.
 * 7. Core Beliefs:** (What are the central ideas to the religion?)