Unit 2 Preview Chapter 6 The World of IslamChapter 7 Early African CivilizationsChapter 8 The Asian WorldChapter 9 Emerging Europe and the Byzantine EmpireChapter 10 Europe in the Middle AgesChapter 11 The AmericasWhat time period is covered in this unit? 2000 BCE – 1500 * Really emphasis is on 400 – 1500
Foundations of Islam
Where are we?
Focus
• What do you know about Islam?
• What are some common stereotypes associated with Islam?
Arabs• Semitic speaking nomads who trace lineage to
Abraham and Ishmael (Kaaba) • Polytheistic but recognized a supreme god
“Allah”• Organized into tribes led by sheikh• Domestication of camel sets stage for trade• Makkah (Mecca) becomes important as trade
route when political instability in Mesopotamia and Egypt disrupts other trade routes
• Influx of wealth sets stage for social disruption in this stable society
The Prophet (Muhammad)• Born 570 ad in Mecca• Orphaned early, marries Khadija (rich widow)– Becomes disenchanted with the wealth gap– Goes to mountains to meditate– Visited by Angel Gabriel who gives him final revelations of
God• Moses and Jesus are predecessors in receiving revelations from
God– Muhammad returns to Mecca and shares his revelations
with his wife– Revelations are written down as Quran (Koran) which
provides ethical guidelines and laws by which a Muslim practices Islam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX3UHNhQ1Zk (Islam Empire of Faith BBC)
http://www.alislam.org/quran/search2/showChapter.php?ch=1 Illustrated Koran– After 3 years of preaching he has only 30 followershttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpcbfxtdoI8&list=PLMZJVshB7AI3yvPJfgeiSN_6TxcQN2Bh5 Crash Course
The Hijrah• Muhammad preaches social
upheaval and is persecuted by ruling class
• 622 he and followers flee to a nearby town (Yathrib) later Medina. This period of time is referred to as Hijrah – becomes year 1 in Muslim calendar
• Bedouins• 630 Muhammad returns
declares Kaaba a sacred shrine to Islam
• Dies in 632
The Teaching of Muhammad• Sunna or “path”– While the Quran is considered to be the revealed word
of God, the life and words of Muhammad and his companions have become a guide for Muslims
• Radical monotheism• Five Pillars of Islam– Profession of Faith (Shahaadatayn)– Prayer (Salaah) – prayer
– Charity (Zakaah)– Almsgiving
– Fasting (Siyaam)– Fasting
– Pilgrimage (Hajj)– Hajj 1– Hajj 2
The Arab Empire and Its Successors• Muhammad’s death leaves a political and spiritual
void -No male heir• Rashidun Caliphs “Rightly Guided”– Abu Bakr (Muhammad’s father in law) named caliph
(successor to Muhammad) dies 634– Umar 634 – 644 Yarmuk 636 Control of Jerusalem– Uthman 644 – 656– Ali (Muhammad’s son-in-law) assassinated in 656
• Policy of expansion and jihad (see text p 197)• Persian Empire controlled by Muslims by 650• Problems of succession
Umayyad Dynasty
• 661 Mu’awiyah becomes caliph– “I never use my sword when my whip will do, nor
my whip when my tongue will do.”– Establishes Damascus as capitol
• Continued Arab expansion– 711 Battle of Guadelete– 717 Byzantium (Muslim fleet destroyed)– 725 Spain (Cordoba)– 732 Battle of Tours
A Split in Islam
• Umayyad expansion caused tension as Arab and non Arab groups came into contact.
• 680 Hussein (Ali’s son) leads a revolt– Troops betray him leaving him with a force of 72
against 10,000 at Kerbala– Ashura commemorates this for Shiite Muslims
• Shiite accept only descendents of Ali as true rulers of Islam
• Sunni accept Umayyad rule
Abbasid Dynasty
• 750 Abu-al Abbas (descendant of Muhammad's uncle)
• Baghdad• Harun al-Rashid
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2awC8NuA8iw
• Development of the vizier
• Fatamids (Egypt) 973)
Turks, Crusades and Mongols
• Role of mercenary• Sultan (holder of power) 1055• Conflict with Byzantine Empire• Crusades (Saladin)• Mongols– Pastoral nomads– Ghengis Khan– Kublai Khan – http://movies.netflix.com/WiPlayer?movieid=70159636&trkid=3325944
Islamic Civilization• Urbanized– Trade– Bazaar
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf2j-YzZRAA
– Farming• Social Structure– Goal is egalitarian
but classes exist• Slaves• Role of women
– Dowry– Blending of
Islamic and Arabic customs
• http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_asia/2010-12-21/761540651497.html (Dervish video link)• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_Cf-ZxDfZA&feature=related Dervish You tube)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsel8hEp4HM&feature=related (Rumi Mystical Poem with Dervish) You tube
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s59LfXGMyjY Islam Empire of Faith 54