Notes from Thursday July, 6th

The Fifth Pillar:
5. Hajj (Pilgrimidge to Mecca)
Done 1/lifetime
(funds permitting)

Muhammad’s Death:
• Muhammad dies unexpectedly, Probably of
poisoning a few years earlier.

Sunni Sect:
•Follow Abu Bakr(father in law of Muhammad)
•One of the first Muslim converts
•Emphasis on religious traditions, written in
the
Shari’ah (law) similar to the talmud.
•By far the largest group. 85-90%
•Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Morroco, N. Africa,
Pakistan
•Believe in 4 Caliphs

Shi’ites Sect:
•Follow Ali, Muhammad’s cousin
•Emphasis spiritual guidance from heaven of
existing
religious leaders.
•12 religious leaders called the Imams
•Denomination called the “Twelvers” follow
the 12th Imam
who disappeared (translated to heaven).
“Pentecostal”
•Smaller group 10-15%
•Iran, Iraq

Sufi Sect:
•Ascetic, mystical group
•not living the life of luxury, but
spirituality
•Also known as Fakirs (“poor ones”)
•Many Monastics
•Emphasis on experienced oneness with God.
Called “seeing God’s face”
•Meditation emphasized like Hinduism
•Pacifist
•Originally said: love and mystical
experience plus ascetic practices
are the only requirements of a religious
person.(ignored islamic law)
•Persecuted- leading muslims astray
•Al-Ghazali: Made sufism respectable,
outward, as well as inward experience

Whirling Dervish (of Sufi's)
•ritual dancing, fez, robes, founded by Rumi

Afterlife:
•Paradise- Heaven, physical concept, streams,
serving girls, luxurious
couches
•Hell- mostly women in hell, physical
concept,fire, lap boiling water, eat demon heads