11/15 or 11/22 By John Hekimoglu

Under islamic law, church and state are unified.
'islam' means 'submission to god'
started in Saudi Arabia in 700 a.d. in Mecca which was a key stop in the eastern/western trade route. Mecca was a powerful and wealthy city.
Mohammed was part of quaryesh tribe that controlled the city.

Islam's main recognized prophets:
Abraham-(2000 b.c.)
Jesus-(4-27 a.d.)
Mohammed-(570-632 a.d.)

Islam's sacred texts:
Quran-('recitation')ARABIC
Hadith-('Traditions of Mohammad')
Bible-(w/qualifiers)

Back to 7th century Arabia:
-warring desert tribes
-uneasy truces for commerce
-polytheism/pagonism- pantheon of gods:
different tribes prayed to different gods in pantheon.
-Mohammed's tribe's patron god was at the top of pantheon- 'The Moon God'(ALLAH)

Allah's daughters:
Allat
Al-Vzza
Monot

Bottom of spiritual ladder was 'Jinn', which were spirits of nature.

Kabah-("cube") stone temple in Mecca built to all gods and idols.
Mohammed said it was built by Adam and rebuilt by Ishmail.

When Mohammed came on the scene:
-Superstition-(Astrology)
-Harsh punishment for crimes
-Gambling and Drinking (general immorality)
-Peace

Life of Mohammed:
Childhood
-Father dies before birth
-"spiritualistic" Mom
-orphaned at age 5, gets shuffeled around
-raised by uncle
-liked exploring caves as youth
-talks to many different people/travelers who give him vague religious overview
-early vision inside cave, angel puts stick in his gut and 'stirs up his insides'
Age 25-40
-marries older widow Khadijah and takes over her caravan company(which was her late husbands)
-At 40 recieves phrofetic call:
Angel Gabriel came to him in cave
Has siezures and recieves relelations
He thinks he is crazy and or demonized
Suicide attempt thwarted by Gabriel

Mohammeds Charactor:
-Charisma, diplomatic skills
-gave women legal standing (ex. 1/2 worth of a mans word in testimony)
-Temper
-Superstition
-Sexual appetite:
Zaynab-step son's wife
Aesha-9 years old