Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Kevin Shorthall
A major world religion called Islam whose members are called Muslims
Find on an atlas or map of the world the country Saudi Arabia. This country is the place in the world where the religion of Islam began almost 1500 years ago. A man called Muhammad, who was described by his friends as a holy and faithful man, taught people all about the religion of Islam. He spent most of his life in prayer and meditation. For 23 years, from the time he was forty till his death, he received many messages from God and he then shared these with his family and friends. These were later written down but the religion had begun and Muhammad was having an affect on people. Here is a list of words, as you find them in the passage below, fill in what it tells us about them in the spaces beside them.
Recap on what you have learned so far (1)The name of the founder of Islam is _______________. (2)He lived in a country called _____________. (3)The shrine in the middle of the city of__________ was called the ______. (4) ____________ is when people believe in and worship many different gods. (5) ____________ is when people worship and believe in one god. (6)Describe in the box below what the city of Mecca was like before Islam began.
Muhammad spoke out about the religious problems and abuses in Mecca. He told them that there was only one God and his name was Allah. This annoyed its inhabitants greatly and eventually Muhammad had to flee for his life. This is a very important moment in the beginning of Islam. It is called the Hijra. Muhammad went to a city 400 kilometers away called Medina. There he was well received and became the leader of the town. Islam had become alive and powerful. Because of the Hijra Islam had become a vibrant religion. The rapid spread of Islam was to follow soon after. Muhammad later took an army back to Mecca to show them their wicked ways and sins against Allah. Mecca then became and still is today the holy city, spiritual centre and main shrine of Islam.
Write an imaginary conversation between Muhammad and his wife as they were fleeing from the city of Mecca: