A desert, a trading town and a merchant who said he'd heard a message. How a faith that began in a corner of Arabia came to be followed by well over a billion people.
Not started yet.
Students will describe the Arabian Peninsula before Islam, tell the main events of Muhammad's life, and explain the core beliefs and practices of Islam, as Muslims themselves state them.
The lesson reports what Muslims believe as their belief, in their own terms, without endorsing it or mocking it. Where the two faiths differ on who Jesus is, the lesson says so once, plainly, and leaves it there.
It's a good place to talk with the student about why we learn what other people believe, and how to say so truthfully and kindly.
U2-L5 follows what grew from this beginning: the Abbasid caliphate, Baghdad and the Islamic golden age.
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Before You Start
The words this lesson uses. Tap a card to see what it means, then come back to them whenever a question uses one.
Part One
Questions about the story you just read. Pick your answer straight off, or press Find it in the story if you would rather hunt for the sentence first.
Part Two
The word cards are at the top of this page. Look back at them as often as you need, then answer.