Develop an understanding of the religion and cultures of Islam; describe the significant ideas and texts of Islam; identify examples of religious influence in daily life.

Founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the Middle East during the 7th century, Islam shapes the religious, social, and cultural lives of its followers. All practicing Muslims are guided by the five pillars of Islam: alms (charity), hajj (pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca), prayer (five times per day facing Mecca), faith (belief in Allah as the one deity), and fasting (no consumption of food or drink from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan). The Koran, a holy book containing Allah’s revelations to Muhammad, provides direction on aspects of daily life ranging from the restriction of women’s roles to abstention from alcohol and pork products. Many Islamic countries still use sharia, a code of rules and behavior, as the basis for their modern-day legal systems.

• CA  Historical Research: 4
• TX  113.33(19):a, b; 113.33(21):a, b
• FL  SS.A.3.4: 4
• NCSS  IV (HS): e

2 class periods

• Activity Sheet, Islam in Daily Life
• Graphic Organizer, 2-Column Table
• Performance Rubric

Students have the opportunity to write a Research Report (see Extension below).

How has the practice of Islam influenced the daily lives of its followers?

Synthesize Students will participate in group presentations in which they share with the class different aspects of Islamic life. Group members will research the ways in which Islam has influenced education, gender roles, business and trade, and family life, among other topics.

Have students research the topic using the provided links. Encourage them to use the suggested graphic organizer as they read the articles.

This illustration depicts an Islamic master scholar instructing his students.

To start students thinking about the impact of Islam on daily life, have them examine the illustration.

Key questions students should answer are:

• What Islamic values are depicted in this illustration?
• How does the illustration show a reverence for holy scripture?

Distribute the Student Activity sheet. Divide the class into groups. Tell students that they will write speeches introducing different aspects of Islamic life to the class.

Assign topics to each group of students, reminding them to consider the impact of each on daily life.

• Morality
• Law and Crime
• Education
• Pilgrimages and Festivals
• Family Life
• Food
• Business and Trade
• Mosques and Prayer
• Women
• Rural Life and Farming

Explain to students that each group member will write an engaging, fact-filled speech addressing an assigned topic. Group members will then compile their speeches to make a presentation to the class.

Use the Performance Rubric to assess students’ performance.

Have students reflect on their performance and use the list of expectations to judge how well they met the criteria.

Ask students: In what area of daily life is the influence of Islam most apparent?

Expository Writing Have students use Daily Life through History to research and write about the cultural influence of a different religious practice on the daily life of its followers.

Critical Thinking: APPLY