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Muhammad preached a new [[monotheistic]] religion based on only one god, Allah, at a time when Mecca was still [[polytheistic]].  Located in Mecca was the "Ka'aba", a temple which housed the "Black Stone," an important religious relic of the [[Arab]]s' polytheistic religion.  Businessmen in Mecca — who made a substantial profit off of the swarms of [[pilgrims]] who came to see the holy shrine — feared that they might lose customers from Muhammad's preaching and they drove him out in A.D. 622 (the "hijra", or withdrawal).  Muhammad's flight (to the town of [[Medina]]) marks the first year of the Islamic calendar.

Muhammad preached a new [[monotheistic]] religion based on only one god, Allah, at a time when Mecca was still [[polytheistic]].  Located in Mecca was the "Ka'aba", a temple which housed the "Black Stone," an important religious relic of the [[Arab]]s' polytheistic religion.  Businessmen in Mecca — who made a substantial profit off of the swarms of [[pilgrims]] who came to see the holy shrine — feared that they might lose customers from Muhammad's preaching and they drove him out in A.D. 622 (the "hijra", or withdrawal).  Muhammad's flight (to the town of [[Medina]]) marks the first year of the Islamic calendar.

Muhammad formed a community for this new religion, called the "umma".  Their activities included helping the poor.  Muhammed's teachings were recorded in the [[Qur'an]] (often spelled as "Koran" in English), which is the bible of Islam.  Muhammad then returned to Mecca in A.D. 630 with his followers, and conquered it by force.  By 632, Islam controlled nearly all of [[Arabia]].  Islam has quickly spread and expanded both in popularity and power ever since, at times growing faster than even Christianity.  Islam had more adherents than any other religion in many parts of the Middle East, Arabia, North Africa and Central Asia.  [[Pakistan]] is Muslim, while [[India]] is [[Hindu]], causing those two countries to be in perpetual conflict with each other.  At one point Islam became the most dominant religion in [[Spain]], but that country was later retaken by [[Catholicism]].

Muhammad formed a community for this new religion, called the "umma".  Their activities included helping the poor.  Muhammed's teachings were recorded in the [[Qur'an]] (often spelled as "Koran" in English), which is the bible of Islam.  Muhammad then returned to Mecca in A.D. 630 with his followers, and conquered it by force.  By 632, Islam controlled nearly all of [[Arabia]].  Islam has quickly spread and expanded both in popularity and power ever since, at times growing faster than even Christianity.  Islam had more adherents than any other religion in many parts of the Middle East, Arabia, North Africa and Central Asia.  [[Pakistan]] is Muslim, while [[India]] is [[Hindu]], causing those two nations to be in conflict with each other.  At one point Islam became the most dominant religion in [[Spain]], but that nation was later retaken by [[Catholicism]].

Islam is different from Christianity in having a military/political viewpoint in addition to a set of religious beliefs.  Islam's religious beliefs are set forth in the "Five Pillars of Islam" and moral commands set forth in the Qur'an (Koran).  The Five Pillars of Islam are these:

Islam's religious beliefs are set forth in the "Five Pillars of Islam" and moral commands set forth in the Qur'an (Koran).  The Five Pillars of Islam are these:

1.  '''Submission''' is to one god, Allah, whose prophet was Muhammad.  This is simple and powerful:  '''''submit'''''.  It is easy for everyone to understand quickly.

1.  '''Submission''' is to one god, Allah, whose prophet was Muhammad.  This is simple and powerful:  '''''submit'''''.  It is easy for everyone to understand quickly.

Islam also has a social law known as the "[[shariah]]" to dictate how people should relate to each other.  The shariah can impose harsh punishments pursuant to the Qur'an for wrongful conduct.  Islam strictly prohibits alcohol, drugs, [[gambling]], [[prostitution]], [[homosexuality]], [[pornography]] and other harmful activity.  [[Abortion]] is illegal under Islamic law.   

Islam also has a social law known as the "[[shariah]]" to dictate how people should relate to each other.  The shariah can impose harsh punishments pursuant to the Qur'an for wrongful conduct.  Islam strictly prohibits alcohol, drugs, [[gambling]], [[prostitution]], [[homosexuality]], [[pornography]] and other harmful activity.  [[Abortion]] is illegal under Islamic law.   

The shariah requires women to wear veils to conceal their beauty in public, a practice known as "[[hijab]]".  American women reporters in [[Iran]] today wear veils when appearing on television to provide us with live news.  Women are expected to obey their husbands, and under Islamic law are considered the property of their husbands and other male members of their household.  Men are allowed to take up to four wives in some Muslim countries.  In the earliest days of Islam (before the stricter [[Shiite]] branch of Islam took power), women were not required to wear veils.

The shariah requires women to wear veils to conceal their beauty in public, a practice known as "[[hijab]]".  American women reporters in [[Iran]] today wear veils when appearing on television to provide us with live news.  Women are expected to obey their husbands, and under Islamic law women are considered the property of their husbands and other male members of their household.  Women in Saudi Arabia, which is 100% Muslim, first obtained the right to vote just recently in September 2011.  Men are allowed to take up to four wives in some Muslim countries.  In the earliest days of Islam (before the stricter [[Shiite]] branch of Islam took power), women were not required to wear veils.

A newspaper article described how three-quarters of the 900 taxi drivers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport are [[Somalis]], many of them Muslim.  As Muslims, they do not believe in allowing alcohol in their cab.  About three times each day, a Muslim cab driver refuses a customer because he notices that the customer is carrying alcohol.  "It is a religious issue," said one Muslim cabdriver.  "I cannot force anybody to change their belief, but not in my cab.  I don't want the guilt.  I just want to be an innocent person."  A flight-attendant described how she mentioned to a cabdriver to be careful with her suitcase because it contained wine.  The driver then refused her service, and told other cabdrivers.  Four other cabdrivers then refused her service.  "What's going to be next?", she said.  "Do I have to cover my head?"  But a Muslim cabdriver responded, "According to Muslim law, a Muslim driver cannot question a person's faith or beliefs," he said. "It's not a matter of the person, it's what the person is carrying."

Three-quarters of the 900 taxi drivers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport are [[Somalis]], many of them Muslim.  As Muslims, they do not believe in allowing alcohol in their cab.  About three times each day, a Muslim cab driver refuses a customer because he notices that the customer is carrying alcohol.  "It is a religious issue," said one Muslim cabdriver.  "I cannot force anybody to change their belief, but not in my cab.  I don't want the guilt.  I just want to be an innocent person."  A flight-attendant described how she mentioned to a cabdriver to be careful with her suitcase because it contained wine.  The driver then refused her service, and told other cabdrivers.  Four other cabdrivers then refused her service.  "What's going to be next?", she said.  "Do I have to cover my head?"  But a Muslim cabdriver responded, "According to Muslim law, a Muslim driver cannot question a person's faith or beliefs," he said. "It's not a matter of the person, it's what the person is carrying."

   

   

The Islamic religion adheres to the '''Arabic''' version of the Qur'an as the only authentic version, and translations are not accepted.  This caused the spread of the Arabic language throughout the Middle East and into Asia, and increased the influence of the new religion.  This also prevents any translators from changing the meaning of the Qur'an.

The Islamic religion adheres to the '''Arabic''' version of the Qur'an (Koran) as the only authentic version, and translations are not accepted.  This caused the spread of the Arabic language throughout the Middle East and into Asia, and increased the influence of the new religion.  This also prevents any translators from changing the meaning of the Qur'an.

Muhammad's first successor, or "[[caliph]]", was his friend [[Abu-Bakr]].  He kept together the Islamic religion, but around A.D. 660 a schism occurred in Islam between the [[Sunnis]], the largest group, and the stricter Shiites (or Shi'ites or Shia).  They could not agree on who should be the successor to Muhammad, and the Shiites chose [[Ali]], a son-in-law of Muhammad, as caliph.  The Sunnis — made up of the members of the Umayyad clan — triumphed in this first period of Islamic history.  During the reign of a Sunni king named [[Umar]], Islam grew at an astounding rate.  At the [[Battle of Yarmuk]] (A.D. 636 AD), 40,000 Muslims defeated an army of 120,000 Byzantines.   

Muhammad's first successor, or "[[caliph]]", was his friend [[Abu-Bakr]].  He held together the Islamic religion, but around A.D. 660 a schism occurred in Islam between the [[Sunnis]], the largest group, and the stricter Shiites (or Shi'ites or Shia).  They could not agree on who should be the successor to Muhammad, and the Shiites chose [[Ali]], a son-in-law of Muhammad, as caliph.  The Sunnis — made up of the members of the Umayyad clan — triumphed in this first period of Islamic history.  During the reign of a Sunni king named [[Umar]], Islam grew at an astounding rate.  At the [[Battle of Yarmuk]] (A.D. 636 AD), 40,000 Muslims defeated an army of 120,000 Byzantines.   

In 750 A.D., the Abbasid clan — whose members supported the Shiite sect — defeated the Umayyads.  The rule of Abassid caliph "Harun al-Rashid" is known as the "Golden Age of Islam."

In 750 A.D., the Abbasid clan — whose members supported the Shiite sect — defeated the Umayyads.  The rule of Abassid caliph "Harun al-Rashid" is known as the "Golden Age of Islam."

To this day, the Sunnis and Shiites clash with each other, with the Sunnis considered to be more moderate and friendlier to western countries like the United States, and the Shiites viewed as more extreme and hostile to western countries.  The Sunnis are Arab and have ruled countries such as [[Saudi Arabia]] and [[Iraq]], while the Shiites have majorities in Iraq and Iran.   

To this day, the Sunnis and Shiites clash with each other, with the Sunnis considered to be more moderate and friendlier to western countries like the United States, and the Shiites viewed as more extreme and hostile to western countries.  The Sunnis are Arab and have ruled countries such as [[Saudi Arabia]] and [[Iraq]], while the Shiites have majorities in more aggressive nations of Iraq and Iran.   

The recent effort to form a [[democracy]] in Iraq has given the Shiites new power in one of the largest Muslim countries, causing concern among the Sunnis.  The Shiites have religious practices that include beating their chests, slashing their forwards and weeping.  The Sunnis are more reserved in their ceremonies.  [[Jordan]]'s King [[Abdullah II]] declared in December 2005 that he feared that Iran sought to create "a Shiite crescent" in the Middle East consisting of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.  Iran denied this.

The recent effort to form a [[democracy]] in Iraq has given the Shiites new power in one of the largest Muslim countries, causing concern among the Sunnis.  The Shiites have religious practices that include beating their chests, slashing their forwards and weeping.  The Sunnis are more reserved in their ceremonies.  [[Jordan]]'s King [[Abdullah II]] declared in December 2005 that he feared that Iran sought to create "a Shiite crescent" in the Middle East consisting of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.  The crescent (partial Moon) is the symbol of Islam and is used in many official flags of Muslim nations.

Islam is more forceful than other major religions in converting people and Islam is hostile to missionary work by other religions, such as Christianity.  Islam encompasses government and military policies, unlike Christianity.  Islamic governments may favor Muslims by not requiring them to pay a poll tax, while requiring practitioners of other religions to pay the tax.  Critics of Islam say that it encourages violence against "infidels" or non-believers.  Occasionally there are news reports of brutal killings of Christian girls or imprisonment and death sentences for Christian missionaries in Muslim countries.  In [[Afghanistan]], after the United States invaded and established control, a Muslim was sentenced to death for converting to Christianity, through publicity in the United States led to his release.

Islam is more forceful than other major religions in converting people and Islam is hostile to missionary work by other religions, such as Christianity.  Islam entails government and military policies, unlike Christianity.  Islamic governments may favor Muslims by not requiring them to pay a poll tax, while requiring practitioners of other religions to pay the tax.  Critics of Islam say that it encourages violence against "infidels" or non-believers.  Occasionally there are news reports of brutal killings of Christian girls or imprisonment and death sentences for Christian missionaries in Muslim countries.  In [[Afghanistan]], after the United States invaded and established control, a Muslim was sentenced to death for converting to Christianity, though worldwide publicity then led to his release.

Muslim hostility and violence towards [[Jewish]] people is even worse.  Biblical scholars trace the conflict to the rival sons of Abraham, [[Ishmael]] and [[Isaac]], as discussed in our Lecture One (see Mesopotamia section).  In A.D. 691 Sunni Muslims built the [[Dome of the Rock]], a [[mosque]] in [[Jerusalem]], on the same site where Jews believe God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, "Mount Moriah."  It is probably the most controversial religious site in the world today.  Some extreme Muslim groups in the Middle East are determined to destroy [[Israel]], and acts of terrorism to kill Jewish people are common there.  But while Muslim terrorist acts against defenseless Jewish civilians are common, there are almost never similar acts of terrorist by Jewish people against innocent Muslim civilians.

There is Muslim hostility and violence towards [[Jewish]] people.  Biblical scholars trace the conflict to the rival sons of Abraham, [[Ishmael]] and [[Isaac]], as discussed in our Lecture One (see Mesopotamia section).  In A.D. 691 Sunni Muslims built the [[Dome of the Rock]], a [[mosque]] in [[Jerusalem]], on the same site where Jews believe God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac: "Mount Moriah."  It is probably the most controversial religious site in the world today.  Some extreme Muslim groups in the Middle East are determined to destroy [[Israel]], and acts of terrorism to kill Jewish people are common there.  But while Muslim terrorist acts against defenseless Jewish civilians are common, there are almost never any similar acts of terrorist by Jewish people against innocent Muslim civilians.

Perhaps the most controversial aspect of Islam is the "[[jihad]]", which is defined in western dictionaries as any Muslim holy war against infidels.  But another meaning of a "jihad" in Islam is an internal spiritual struggle within each person for control over himself, in order to establish his complete allegiance to Allah.  Muslim scholars describe jihad as being waged through the heart, the tongue, the hand, and the sword.  Through jihad, Muslims believe they are guaranteed entrance into heaven.

Perhaps the most controversial aspect of Islam is the "[[jihad]]", which is defined in western dictionaries as any Muslim holy war against infidels.  But another meaning of a "jihad" in Islam is an internal spiritual struggle within each person for control over himself, in order to establish his complete allegiance to Allah.  Muslim scholars describe jihad as being waged through the heart, the tongue, the hand, and the sword.  Through jihad, Muslims believe they are guaranteed entrance into heaven.

Islam came very close to conquering Western Europe and forcibly converting Christians to Islam in the A.D. 700s.  By then Spain was already under Muslim control by the [[Moors]], and Muslim soldiers were advancing into Gaul (modern [[France]]).  For twenty years they defeated Christian armies until the pivotal [[Battle of Tours]] (France) in 732, where massive Muslim forces met a determined Christian opponent named [[Charles Martel]] (the "Hammer"), who led the Germanic peoples known as "[[Franks]]" to a decisive defeat of the Muslims.  Historians say that all of Europe might have become Muslim if not for this single victory.  In the course of this battle, the Muslim leader [[Emir Abd er Rahman]] was killed, and the Muslims retreated back to Spain.  Muslims today refer to this key battle as "The Court of Martyrs" in Arabic.

Islam came very close to conquering Western Europe and forcibly converting Christians to Islam in the A.D. 700s.  By then Spain was already under Muslim control by the [[Moors]], and Muslim soldiers were advancing into Gaul (modern [[France]]).  For twenty years they defeated Christian armies until the pivotal '''[[Battle of Tours]] (France) in 732''', where massive Muslim forces met a determined Christian opponent named [[Charles Martel]] (the "Hammer"), who led the Germanic peoples known as "[[Franks]]" to a decisive defeat of the Muslims.  '''All of Europe might have become Muslim if not for this single victory'''.  In the course of this battle, the Muslim leader [[Emir Abd er Rahman]] was killed, and the Muslims retreated back to Spain.  Muslims today refer to this key battle as "The Court of Martyrs" in Arabic.

The most famous Muslim in the western world has been [[Muhammad Ali]], a champion boxer in the 1960s and 1970s who was the most-recognized athlete at that time, similar to Michael Jordan 5 or 10 years ago and Tiger Woods today.  Muhammad Ali converted to Islam and then refused to be drafted for the [[Vietnam War]] because he did not consider it to be a "holy war."  Judges rejected his claim and he was jailed, until the [[United States Supreme Court]] held that this view qualified Muhammad Ali for the "conscientious objector" exemption from the draft.  He was released from jail and then won back his boxing championship.

The most famous Muslim in the western world has been [[Muhammad Ali]], a champion boxer in the 1960s and 1970s who was the most-recognized athlete at that time.  Muhammad Ali converted to Islam and then refused to be drafted for the [[Vietnam War]] because he did not consider it to be a "holy war."  Judges initially rejected his claim and he was jailed, until the [[United States Supreme Court]] held that this view qualified Muhammad Ali for the "conscientious objector" exemption from the draft.  He was released from jail and then won back his boxing championship.

In November 2006, [[Keith Ellison]] became the first Muslim ever elected to the [[United States Congress]].  He's from [[Minnesota]], where there is a strong Muslim neighborhood.  Ellison then chose to take his oath his office on the Koran (Qur'an) rather than the Bible.  The [[Detroit]], Michigan area has the largest settlement of Muslims in America.  In France the growing Muslim population is very influential and Christianity has greatly declined there.   

In November 2006, [[Keith Ellison]] became the first Muslim ever elected to the [[United States Congress]].  He's from [[Minnesota]], where there is a strong Muslim neighborhood.  Ellison then chose to take his oath his office on the Koran (Qur'an) rather than the Bible.  The [[Detroit]], Michigan area has the largest settlement of Muslims in America.  In France the growing Muslim population is very influential and Christianity has greatly declined there.   

===Contributions of Islam to Society===

===Contributions by Islam to Society===

Muslim countries helped facilitate trade between Asia and Europe.  Muslims also transmitted Indian mathematical discoveries to Western Europe and Muslims helped established universities when other parts of Western Europe was declining.  Islamic learning included the works of [[Ibn Sina]] (980-1037 A.D.) who wrote "Canon of the Medicine," a book describing many infectious diseases and their causes, during the Golden Age of Islam.  Islamic architecture, as represented in mosques, is striking in design.  Islamic religion strictly prohibits artists from depicting the human form, which contributes to the distinguishing geometric characteristics of Muslim architecture.  [[Omar Khayyam]] lived in Persia, was tutored by a sheik, was probably Islamic, and was accomplished in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and especially literature, writing a famous collection of poems entitled the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.

Muslim countries helped facilitate trade between Asia and Europe.  Muslims also transmitted Indian mathematical discoveries to Western Europe and Muslims helped established universities when other parts of Western Europe was declining.  Islamic learning included the works of [[Ibn Sina]] (980-1037 A.D.) who wrote "Canon of the Medicine," a book describing many infectious diseases and their causes, during the Golden Age of Islam.  Islamic architecture, as represented in mosques, is striking in design.  Islam strictly prohibits artists from depicting the human form, and unique geometric designs are used instead in Muslim architecture.  [[Omar Khayyam]] lived in Persia, was tutored by a sheik, was probably Islamic, and had accomplishments in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and especially literature, including writing a famous collection of poems entitled the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.

The Arabic language is closely related to [[Hebrew]], as both belong to the Semitic group of languages. It spread with Islam to be the language of nearly 200 million persons today, and has given many words to the English language.  Examples include "[[algebra]]", "cipher", "coffee" and "sugar".

The Arabic language is closely related to [[Hebrew]], as both belong to the Semitic group of languages. It spread with Islam to be the language of nearly 200 million persons today, and has given many words to the English language.  Examples include "[[algebra]]", "cipher", "coffee" and "sugar".