5 pillars of Islam
1)Shahadah- confession (believe in your
heart) there is no God but Allah and Muhammed
is his prophet/messenger
2)Salat- pray to Mecca 5 times per day
3)Zakat- cheritable task/ 2 1/2% of your net
worth annually
4) Ramadan- fasting 1 month, no eating/
drinking during daylight hours
5)Hajj- pilgrimage to Mecca (at least once
in your life, funds permitting)

*muhammed is poisoned by a Jewish woman ("if
your a true prophet, poison won't kill you)
dies 2 - 3 years later. Leaves no successor.
*People rally around 1) Abu Bakr (one of M's
fathers in law). This leads to the foundation
of Sunnis (Sunna = tradition).
*Muslim state has leaders called "Caliphs".
There are 4 major Caliphs(aka Sultan, Imam).
*following written tradition in Hadith and
other places similar to Jews and Talmud /
Catholics and Church council).
2) Ali - M's cousin, minority of people broke
off from Sunnis, became Shiite (meaning
followers of Ali). Rely on tradition and
inspired religious leaders (Imams).
*12 priciple Imams (sects of Islam)
*Sufis= mystical sect- emphasize religious
experiences of 1ness w/ God.
Suf = wool - from harsh wool garments
practiced aescetecism- denying bodily
wants/needs for spiritual purposes.
Heavily persecuted until Al Ghazali
(1058-1111) moderated Sufi practices/ made it
respectable to be a Sufi (emphasized both
inner and outer observance).
*Rumi= poet, philosopher, mystic, popular w/
new age monastic (quit you job, live in a
monestary). Founder of whirling