Ch. 2, Sec. 1 – The Rise of Islam

The Arabian Peninsula• Mostly desert• Intense heat• Water found only

at oases, green areas fed by underground water

• To survive the climate, most Arabs settled in villages near oases or wells, or in mountain valleys

Bedouins• Bedouins were

and are nomadic desert herders who moved from oasis to oasis

• Lived in tents, ate dried fruit and nuts

• Drank milk from animals, used them rarely for food

Early Arab Towns, Trade• Many Arabs lived in

villages, farmed, and raised animals

• Some villagers, called merchants, transported goods from town to town

• Bedouin’s often attacked merchants, so merchants formed caravans, large groups of merchants and animals, to fend off their attacks

• By 500 A.C.E., Arabs handled most trade between India and the Mediterranean

Makkah (Mecca)• By around 500 A.C.E.,

Makkah became the largest merchant town along trade routes in Arabia

• In addition to financial importance, Makkah had religious significance because of the Kaaba, a low square building surrounded by statues of gods and goddesses

• At this time, Arabs worshipped many gods but the most important was Allah, the creator

The Kaaba• Muslims believe that

the Kaaba was constructed by Abraham and his son Ishmael

• In the eastern cornerstone of the Kaaba is, “The Black Stone,” a stone that Muslims believe dates back to Adam and Eve

Muhammad• Born in Makkah, 570 A.C.E.• Orphaned, raised by

grandfather who sent him to live with Bedouins

• Caravan leader who later becomes a successful merchant

• Often retreated to the hills to pray

• 610 A.C.E., visited by the Angel Gabriel and told to preach Islam, or “submission to the will of Allah (God)”

Muhammad’s Teachings• Began to tell people to

destroy false idols, and worship only Allah

• Taught all people were created equally, so the wealthy should share their goods

• Taught that wealth was not as important as leading a good life

• Taught that when the Day of Judgment arrived, God would reward good and punish the bad

Opposition to Muhammad• Muhammad’s message

appealed to poor people, with whom he became popular

• Wealthy merchants and religious leaders did not like Muhammad’s message, beat and tortured his followers

• 622 A.C.E., Muhammad and his followers left Makkah north for Yathrib

• This journey is known as the Hijrah

Muhammad builds an Islamic Society• Muslims mark 622 A.C.E

as the first year of a new Islamic calendar

• Yathrib renamed “Madinah” (Medina) which means, “The city of the Prophet”

• Muhammad applied all of the laws he believed God gave him to all areas of life in Madinah

• Built an Islamic state – a government that mixes political power with Islam

Muhammad reclaims Makkah, dies• To defend Madinah

from Makkah, Muhammad built an army

• Defeated Makkah’s army at the Battle of Badr in 624 A.C.E.

• In 630 A.C.E., Muhammad retakes Makkah, destroys idols in the Kaaba and rededicates it to Allah

• 632 A.C.E., Muhammad dies in Madinah of fever

Islam’s teachings• Monotheistic – Christianity, Judaism,

Islam all share same God• Prophets speak the word of God• In Islam, Jesus is a great prophet• Quran is the holy book of Islam. It

provides moral teachings (ex. Murder, lying, stealing, pork, alcohol, gambling, all forbidden)

• Five pillars of Islam – acts of worship that they must carry out