Muhammad and His MessageMuhammad and His Message

• Born 570 to merchant family in Born 570 to merchant family in MeccaMecca

• Orphaned as a childOrphaned as a child• Marries wealthy widow c. 595, works Marries wealthy widow c. 595, works

as merchantas merchant• Familiarity with paganism, Familiarity with paganism,

Christianity and Judaism as Christianity and Judaism as practiced in Arabian peninsulapracticed in Arabian peninsula

Muhammad’s Spiritual Muhammad’s Spiritual TransformationTransformation

• Visions c. 610 CEVisions c. 610 CE

• Archangel GabrielArchangel Gabriel

• Monotheism – Allah Monotheism – Allah

• Attracts followers to MeccaAttracts followers to Mecca

IslamAn Abrahamic Religion

IslamAn Abrahamic Religion Muslims are strict monotheists.

They believe in the Judeo- Christian God, which they call Allah.

Muslims believe that the Torah and the Bible, like the Qur’an, is the word of God.

Peoples of the BookPeoples of the Book

Abraham’s GenealogyAbraham’s Genealogy

ABRAHAMABRAHAM SARAHSARAHHAGARHAGAR

IsaacIsaac

EsauEsauJacobJacob

12 Tribes of Israel

12 Tribes of Israel

Ishmael

Ishmael

12 Arabian Tribes

12 Arabian Tribes

The Prophetic Tradition (25 In

All)

The Prophetic Tradition (25 In

All)Adam

Noah

Abraham

Moses

Jesus

Muhammad

The QuranThe Quran

• Record of revelations received Record of revelations received during visionsduring visions

• Committed to writing c. 650 CE Committed to writing c. 650 CE (Muhammad dies 632)(Muhammad dies 632)

• Tradition of Muhammad’s life: Tradition of Muhammad’s life: hadithhadith

The Qur’anThe Qur’an Muslims believe it contains the word of God.

114 suras (chapters).

In the name of Allah, the compassionate, the merciful. Written in Arabic.

Conflict at MeccaConflict at Mecca

• Muhammad’s monotheistic Muhammad’s monotheistic teachings offensive to polytheistic teachings offensive to polytheistic paganspagans

• Economic threat to existing religious Economic threat to existing religious industryindustry

• Denunciation of greed affront to local Denunciation of greed affront to local aristocracyaristocracy

The HijraThe Hijra

• Muhammad flees to Yathrib Muhammad flees to Yathrib (Medina) 622 CE(Medina) 622 CE– Year 0 in Muslim calendarYear 0 in Muslim calendar

• Organizes followers into communal Organizes followers into communal society (the society (the umma)umma)

• Legal, spiritual codeLegal, spiritual code

• Commerce, raids on Meccan Commerce, raids on Meccan caravans for sake of caravans for sake of ummaumma

Muhammad’s Return to MeccaMuhammad’s Return to Mecca

• Attack on Mecca, 630Attack on Mecca, 630

• Conversion of Mecca to IslamConversion of Mecca to Islam

• Destruction of pagan sites, replaced Destruction of pagan sites, replaced with mosqueswith mosques– Ka’aba preserved in honor of Ka’aba preserved in honor of

importance of Meccaimportance of Mecca– Approved as pilgrimage siteApproved as pilgrimage site– Covered in Covered in kiswah (“robe”) annuallykiswah (“robe”) annually

The Ka’abaThe Ka’aba

1. The Shahada1. The Shahada

11

The testimony.

The declaration of faith:There is no god worthy of There is no god worthy of worship except God, andworship except God, andMuhammad is HisMuhammad is HisMessenger [or Prophet].Messenger [or Prophet].

There is no god worthy of There is no god worthy of worship except God, andworship except God, andMuhammad is HisMuhammad is HisMessenger [or Prophet].Messenger [or Prophet].

2. The Salat2. The Salat

22

The mandatory prayers performed 5 times a day: * dawn * noon * late afternoon * sunset * before going to bed

Wash before praying.

Face Mecca and use a prayer rug.

2. The Salat2. The Salat

22

The call to prayer by the muezzin in the minaret.

Pray in the mosque on Friday.

3. The Zakat3. The Zakat

33

Alms giving (charitable donations).

Muslims believe that all things belong to God.

Zakat means both “purification” and “growth.”

About 2.5% of your income.

4. The Sawm4. The Sawm

44

Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.

Considered a method of self- purification.

No eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.

5. The Hajj5. The Hajj

55

The pilgrimage to Mecca.

Must be done at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime.

2-3 million Muslims make the pilgrimage every year.

5. The Hajj5. The Hajj

55

Those who complete the pilgrimage can add the title hajji to their name.

JihadJihad

• ““struggle”struggle”– Against viceAgainst vice– Against ignorance of IslamAgainst ignorance of Islam

• ““holy war”holy war”– Against unbelievers who threaten IslamAgainst unbelievers who threaten Islam

The Dome of the Rock Mosque in

Jerusalem

The Dome of the Rock Mosque in

Jerusalem

Mount Moriah Rockwhere Muhammad ascended into heaven.

Islamic Law: The Islamic Law: The ShariaSharia

• Codification of Islamic lawCodification of Islamic law

• Based on Quran, Based on Quran, hadithhadith, logical , logical schools of analysisschools of analysis

• Extends beyond ritual law to all Extends beyond ritual law to all areas of human activityareas of human activity

Other Islamic Religious Practices

Other Islamic Religious Practices

Up to four wives allowed at once.

No alcohol or pork.

No gambling.

Three holiest cities in Islam: * Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem.

The CaliphThe Caliph

• No clear to successor to No clear to successor to Muhammad identifiedMuhammad identified

• Abu Bakr chosen to lead as CaliphAbu Bakr chosen to lead as Caliph

• Led war against villagers who Led war against villagers who abandoned Islam after death of abandoned Islam after death of MuhammadMuhammad

The Spread of IslamThe Spread of Islam Easy to learn and practice.

No priesthood.

Teaches equality.

Non-Muslims, who were “Peoples of the Book,” were allowed religious freedom, but paid additional taxes.

Easily “portable” nomads & trade routes.

Jihad (“Holy War”) against pagans and other non-believers (“infidels”).

The Spread of IslamThe Spread of Islam• Great warriors with a strong Great warriors with a strong

cavalry.cavalry.• Byzantines and Persians weak Byzantines and Persians weak

from fighting each other.from fighting each other.• Unity in Islam, strengthened by Unity in Islam, strengthened by

the Sharia, coupled with fair the Sharia, coupled with fair treatment of conquered people, treatment of conquered people, was inviting to many in defeated was inviting to many in defeated empires who desired more empires who desired more freedom and cohesiveness.freedom and cohesiveness.

• Difficulties governing rapidly Difficulties governing rapidly expanding territoryexpanding territory

The Expansion of Islam, 632 – 733 CE The Expansion of Islam, 632 – 733 CE

Muslims in the WorldToday

Muslims in the WorldToday

Countries with the Largest Muslim

Population

Countries with the Largest Muslim

Population1. Indonesia 183,000,00

06. Iran 62,000,000

2. Pakistan 134,000,000

7. Egypt 59,000,000

3. India 121,000,000

8. Nigeria 53,000,000

4. Bangladesh

114,000,000

9. Algeria 31,000,000

5. Turkey 66,000,000 10. Morocco 29,000,000

* Arabs make up only 20% of the total Muslim population of the

world.

Successors To The Prophet• After the death of Muhammad, the caliph, or

successor to the prophet was chosen. Abu Bakr was nominated as the first caliph.

• Abu Bakr would lead the first caliphate, known as the Rashidun or Patriarchal Caliphate.

• The choice of Abu Bakr caused significant dispute as many believed that Muhammad had chosen Alī ibn Abī Tālib, the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad to succeed him.

• Served as caliph 656-661 CE, then assassinated along with most of his followers

Successors To The Prophet

• Abu Bakr was followed by three Abu Bakr was followed by three more caliphs, the last of which more caliphs, the last of which was was Alī ibn Abī Tālib. It is with his succession that a division in Islam became more defined.

• Sunni Muslims believe that Ali was the fourth caliph, a position chosen based on ability to lead. The Shi’a (Shiites) believe that Ali is the first Imam, and that only blood descendants of Muhammad can lead the Muslim people.

Major Muslim EmpiresMajor Muslim Empires

• Rashidun Caliphate (622-661) Rashidun Caliphate (622-661) • Umayyad Caliphate (661-750) -Umayyad Caliphate (661-750) -

– Umayyad Caliphate of Cordoba in Umayyad Caliphate of Cordoba in Islamic Spain (929-1031) Islamic Spain (929-1031)

• Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258) -Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258) -• Fatimid Caliphate (910-1171) Fatimid Caliphate (910-1171) • Mamluk Caliphate (1250-1517) Mamluk Caliphate (1250-1517) • The Ottoman Caliphate (1517-The Ottoman Caliphate (1517-

1924)1924)

Shi’ite Pilgrims at KarbalaShi’ite Pilgrims at Karbala

The Umayyad Dynasty The Umayyad Dynasty (661-750 CE)(661-750 CE)

• From Meccan merchant classFrom Meccan merchant class

• Brought stability to the Islamic Brought stability to the Islamic communitycommunity

• Capital: Damascus, SyriaCapital: Damascus, Syria

• Associated with Arab military Associated with Arab military aristocracyaristocracy

Policy toward Conquered Policy toward Conquered PeoplesPeoples

• Favoritism of Arab military rulers Favoritism of Arab military rulers causes discontentcauses discontent

• Limited social mobility for non-Arab Limited social mobility for non-Arab MuslimsMuslims

• Head tax (jizya) on non-MuslimsHead tax (jizya) on non-Muslims• Umayyad luxurious living causes Umayyad luxurious living causes

further decline in moral authorityfurther decline in moral authority

The Abbasid Dynasty The Abbasid Dynasty (750-1258 CE)(750-1258 CE)

• Abu al-Abbas Sunni Arab, allied with Abu al-Abbas Sunni Arab, allied with Shia, non-Arab MuslimsShia, non-Arab Muslims

• Seizes control of Persia and Seizes control of Persia and MesopotamiaMesopotamia

• Defeats Umayyad army in 750Defeats Umayyad army in 750– Invited Umayyads to banquet, then Invited Umayyads to banquet, then

massacred themmassacred them

Nature of the Abbasid DynastyNature of the Abbasid Dynasty

• Diverse nature of administration (i.e. Diverse nature of administration (i.e. not exclusively Arab)not exclusively Arab)

• Militarily competent, but not bent on Militarily competent, but not bent on imperial expansionimperial expansion

• Content to administer the empire Content to administer the empire inheritedinherited

• Dar al-IslamDar al-Islam• Growth through military activity of Growth through military activity of

autonomous Islamic forcesautonomous Islamic forces

Abbasid AdministrationAbbasid Administration

• Persian influencePersian influence

• Court at BaghdadCourt at Baghdad

• Influence of Islamic scholars Influence of Islamic scholars

• Ulama and qadis sought to develop Ulama and qadis sought to develop policy based on the Quran and policy based on the Quran and shariasharia

Caliph Harun al-Rashid Caliph Harun al-Rashid (786-809 CE)(786-809 CE)

• High point of Abbasid dynastyHigh point of Abbasid dynasty

• Baghdad center of commerceBaghdad center of commerce

• Great cultural activityGreat cultural activity

Abbasid DeclineAbbasid Decline

• Civil war between sons of Harun al-Civil war between sons of Harun al-RashidRashid

• Provincial governors assert regional Provincial governors assert regional independenceindependence

• Dissenting sects, heretical movementsDissenting sects, heretical movements• Abbasid caliphs become puppets of Abbasid caliphs become puppets of

Persian nobilityPersian nobility• Later, Saljuq Turks influence, Sultan real Later, Saljuq Turks influence, Sultan real

power behind the thronepower behind the throne

Economy of the Early Economy of the Early Islamic WorldIslamic World

• Spread of food and industrial cropsSpread of food and industrial crops– Trade routes from India to SpainTrade routes from India to Spain

• Western diet adapts to wide varietyWestern diet adapts to wide variety• New crops adapted to different New crops adapted to different

growing seasonsgrowing seasons– Agricultural sciences developAgricultural sciences develop– Cotton, paper industries developCotton, paper industries develop

• Major cities emergeMajor cities emerge

Formation of a Hemispheric Formation of a Hemispheric Trading ZoneTrading Zone

• Historical precedent of Arabic tradeHistorical precedent of Arabic trade

• Dar al-IslamDar al-Islam encompasses silk encompasses silk routesroutes– ice exported from Syria to Egypt in ice exported from Syria to Egypt in

summer, 10summer, 10thth century century

• Camel caravansCamel caravans

• Maritime tradeMaritime trade

Banking and TradeBanking and Trade

• Scale of trade causes banks to Scale of trade causes banks to developdevelop– SakkSakk (“check”) (“check”)

• Uniformity of Islamic law throughout Uniformity of Islamic law throughout dar al-Islamdar al-Islam promotes trade promotes trade

• Joint ventures commonJoint ventures common

Al-Andalus (Islamic Spain)Al-Andalus (Islamic Spain)

• Muslim Berber conquerors from Muslim Berber conquerors from North Africa take Spain, early 8North Africa take Spain, early 8thth c. c.

• Allied to Umayyads, refused to Allied to Umayyads, refused to recognize Abbasid dynastyrecognize Abbasid dynasty– Formed own caliphateFormed own caliphate– Tensions, but interrelationshipTensions, but interrelationship

Changing Status of WomenChanging Status of Women

• Quran improves status of womenQuran improves status of women– Outlawed female infanticideOutlawed female infanticide– Brides, not husbands, claim dowriesBrides, not husbands, claim dowries

• Yet male dominance preservedYet male dominance preserved– Patrilineal descentPatrilineal descent– Polygamy permitted, Polyandry Polygamy permitted, Polyandry

forbiddenforbidden– Veil adopted from ancient Veil adopted from ancient

Mesopotamian practiceMesopotamian practice

Formation of an Islamic Formation of an Islamic Cultural TraditionCultural Tradition

• Islamic valuesIslamic values– Uniformity of Islamic law in Uniformity of Islamic law in dar al-Islamdar al-Islam– Establishment of Establishment of madrasasmadrasas– Importance of the Importance of the HajjHajj

• Sufi missionariesSufi missionaries– Asceticism, mysticismAsceticism, mysticism– Some tension with orthodox Islamic Some tension with orthodox Islamic

theologianstheologians– Wide popularityWide popularity

Al-Ghazali (1058-1111)Al-Ghazali (1058-1111)

• Major Sufi thinker from PersiaMajor Sufi thinker from Persia

• Impossibility of intellectual Impossibility of intellectual apprehension of Allah, devotion, apprehension of Allah, devotion, mystical ecstasy insteadmystical ecstasy instead

Cultural influences on IslamCultural influences on Islam

• PersiaPersia– Administration and governanceAdministration and governance– literatureliterature

• IndiaIndia– Mathematics, science, medicineMathematics, science, medicine

• ““Hindi” numbersHindi” numbers

• GreeceGreece– Philosophy, esp. AristotlePhilosophy, esp. Aristotle– Ibn Rushd/Averroes (1126-1198)Ibn Rushd/Averroes (1126-1198)

Muslims in AmericaMuslims in America

Muslim Culture in NYC

Muslim Culture in NYC

The Islamic Center, New York City

Islam’s Golden AgeIslam’s Golden Age• Islam’s golden age peaked Islam’s golden age peaked

under the Abbasids, during under the Abbasids, during which Muslims absorbed the which Muslims absorbed the customs and traditions of the customs and traditions of the many diverse people they many diverse people they ruled. ruled.

• The emphasis on learning, The emphasis on learning, which was taught by which was taught by Muhammad, was reinforced by Muhammad, was reinforced by a flourishing economy based on a flourishing economy based on trade.trade.

Art & ArchitectureArt & Architecture

• Mosques & PalacesMosques & Palaces– Byzantine domes and archesByzantine domes and arches– Abstract & geometric Abstract & geometric

patternspatterns

• CalligraphyCalligraphy– Often verses from the QuranOften verses from the Quran

• Drawings & PaintingsDrawings & Paintings

Literature & Literature & PhilosophyPhilosophy• PoetryPoetry

– Much based upon themes of Much based upon themes of the Quranthe Quran

• Preservation of Greco-Preservation of Greco-Roman scholarsRoman scholars

• TalesTales– Most famous is Most famous is The Thousand The Thousand

and One Nightsand One Nights

• PhilosophyPhilosophy

Mathematics & Mathematics & ScienceScience• AlgebraAlgebra

– Based upon Indian & Greek Based upon Indian & Greek advancements, the Muslims advancements, the Muslims pioneered algebrapioneered algebra

• AstronomyAstronomy– Observed the Earth’s rotationObserved the Earth’s rotation– Calculated the circumference of the Calculated the circumference of the

earth within a few thousand feetearth within a few thousand feet• MedicineMedicine

– Doctors had to pass rigorous testsDoctors had to pass rigorous tests– Hospitals set upHospitals set up– Studied diseases and wrote medical Studied diseases and wrote medical

encyclopedias that became encyclopedias that became standard texts in Europestandard texts in Europe

EconomicsEconomics

• AgricultureAgriculture• TradeTrade

– Cultural diffusionCultural diffusion– Partnerships, credit, banksPartnerships, credit, banks

• ManufacturingManufacturing– Guilds regulated prices, Guilds regulated prices,

weights & measurementsweights & measurements– Specialized in steel, leather & Specialized in steel, leather &

carpetscarpets