CHAPTER 6THE WORLD OF

ISLAM

INTRODUCTION

The religion of Islam arose in the Arabian

Peninsula and gave birth to an Arab empire and

a rich civilization. Across a massive expanse of

territory, Islam provided the inspiration for art,

architecture, literature, and philosophy. As

dynasties rose and fell, power shifted to different

centers, such as Damascus, Baghdad, and Cairo.

RISE OF ISLAM

For centuries the Arabian Peninsula was inhabited by loosely connected

tribes. The tribes were polytheistic, but they placed special emphasis on

the god Allah and on the KAABA, a central place of worship in the town

of MECCA. Muhammad, who grew up in Mecca, believed that he

received revelations from God. Out of these revelations came the

Quran, the holy book of Islam. Islam is a monotheistic religion with an

ethical code consisting of the Five Pillars of Islam (pg 194). Muhammad

started preaching, but he and his followers were persecuted in Mecca and so

moved to Medina. There Muhammad became both a religious and a political

leader. After eight years, he led a military force that easily conquered Mecca.

VOCABULARY SEC. 1

Sheikh

Quran

Islam

Hijrah

VOCABULARY (CONT)

Hajj

Shari’ah

Five Pillars of Faith

SECTION 2 OVERVIEW

After Muhammad’s death, his

successor organized the Arabs and set

in motion a great expansion.

Internal struggles weakened the

empire and, by the close of the 13th

century, the Arab Empire had ended.

ARAB EMPIRE AND ITS SUCCESSORS

After Muhammad's death, the Arabs rapidly embarked

on a period of massive conquest. Since there was no

established line of succession, disputes and

assassinations marked the rein of the early Muslim rulers,

or caliphs. Under the Umayyad dynasty, an ill-fated revolt led

to a permanent schism that divided Islam into two

branches—Shiites and Sunnis. The Abbasid dynasty

displayed a greater openness to non-Arab participation in civic

life and oversaw a thriving trading empire

ARAB EMPIRE (CONT)

. However, Seljuk Turks began to take over parts of the Arab

empire. When they threatened the heart of the Byzantine

Empire, European crusaders came to the aid of the

Byzantines. The century of Crusades did not have an enduring

influence, except to create enmity between Christians and

Muslims. A century later, Mongol invaders swept through

the region, destroying entire cities. Egypt, which

remained free of Mongol control, became the center of

Islamic civilization.

VOCABULARY SEC.2

Caliph – successor to Muhammad

Jihad – struggle in the way of God (fair,

defensive warfare)

Shiite – only accepted the descendants

of Ali as the true rulers of Islam

VOCAB (CONT)

Sunni – did not agree with Umayyad rule

but accepted the Umayyads as rulers.

Vizier – prime minister who advised the

caliph

Sultan – Turkish leader “holder of power”

Mosque – Muslim houses of worship

ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION

Overall, the period of the Arab Empire was prosperous.

Aided by the development of banking, the Arabs carried

on extensive trade by land and by sea. Cities such as

Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus were the regional

centers. Meanwhile, farming remained the source of

livelihood for most people. In this diverse context, Islam

offered answers concerning politics, economics, and

social life.

ISLAMIC (CONT)

Islam held that all people are equal in the eyes of

Allah. In reality, however, equality was not strictly

the case. Class divisions were common, and both

slaves and women faced various restrictions. Slaves,

though, sometimes could gain their freedom. Early

Muslim women enjoyed many rights, but these rights

were eroded by older customs and traditions.

SECTION 3 ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION

Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus were the centers of

administration, cultural, and economic activity for their

regions.

Islamic law made it clear that slaves should be treated

fairly, and it was considered a good act to free them.

The Quran granted women spiritual and social

equality with men. After the spread of Islam, older

customs eroded the rights enjoyed by women.

VOCABULARY SECT. 3

Bazaar – covered market, important

part of every Muslim city or town

Dowry – gift of money or property

paid to bride

CULTURE OF ISLAM

A major cultural contribution of the

Arabs was the translation of the

works of major Greek philosophers

into Arabic. It was through the Muslim

world that Europeans recovered the

works of Aristotle and others. The

Muslims were also thinkers and creators

in their own right.

CON’T

Islamic scholars wrote commentaries on Greek philosophy, developed algebra, and made important contributions in astronomy, navigation, and medicine that would be adopted in Europe. In a major work, the Arab historian Ibn-Khaldun argued for a cyclical view of civilizations.

CULTURE OF ISLAM (C0NT)

The great works of Middle Eastern literature

included the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam and The

1001 Nights. Mosques from Iraq to Spain

offered magnificent examples of Islamic art

and architecture. Ornately decorated palaces,

such as the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, also

reflected the glory of Islam.

CON’T

Islamic art typically consisted of

Arabic letters, natural plants, and

abstract figures repeated in

geometric patterns called

arabesques. However, human

representations were avoided in

accordance with Islamic tradition.

CULTURE OF ISLAM (CONT)

Muslim scholars made great advances

in the areas of mathematics and the

natural sciences.

Muslim art and architecture

incorporated innovative, geometric

styles of decoration.

VOCABULARY SEC. 4

Astrolabe – instrument used by sailors to

determine their location by observing the

positions of stars and planets.

Minaret – tower of a Mosque from which

the muezzin calls the faithful to prayer five

times a day.

VOCAB CON’T

Muezzin – the crier who calls the Muslim faithful to prayer from the minaret of a mosque.

Arabesques – geometric patterns repeated over and over to completely cover a surface with decorations.