The Rise of Islam

Ms. Carmelitano

Location

• The Islamic Religion would begin on the Arabian Peninsula, in what is today Saudi Arabia– This served as the bridge between Africa, Asia,

and Europe

Geography of the Arabian Peninsula

• Trade:– Only a small strip in Arabia and Oman can support

agriculture• The rest is barren desert• Inhabited by Nomadic Arab herders• 1,200 miles north – south and 1,300 miles east - west

Life in the Desert

• Nomadic lifestyle– Bedouins: Nomadic Arab nomads– Organization: Clans

• Provided security in the extreme conditions• Courage and loyalty and warrior skills were valued

– Kin, or family groups held power in each clan – Rich oral story-telling tradition

• Farming Communities– Small communities sprang up where there was an oasis:

Fertile green area with water to support agriculture– These became small Arab market towns for trade

Trade

• 600’s AD the small towns became major trade hubs– Trade routes connected Arabia to empires in

Europe and Asia– Cross Roads of trade

Rise of the Islamic Religion

• The Prophet Muhammad– Muhammad was born in Mecca

• This was a trading hub located at the Red Sea• It will become a holy play for Muslims

– In his early life Muhammad was a trader, married Khadijah, a wealthy business woman, and had children

– He would pilgrimage to Mt, Hira to pray and meditate– 610 AD

• On a retreat he heard a voice and had a vision of Allah – the Muslim name for the Jewish and Christian God– Mohammad believed he was the last of the prohpets

The Holy Book

• Koran (Qur’an)– The holy book of Islam– Mohammad wrote down the revelations he

received– Name means “recitation”• Each chapter, or Suras, is believed to be a revelation

from Allah, as told to Muhammad by archangel Gabriel• It begins with the Fatihah – used for independent

prayer

Followers

• Islam means: sbmission to the will of Allah• Muslims: Means “those who submit to Islam”• They believe that Allah is the one and only

God, and all other Gods must be abandoned

Growth of Islam

• 613 AD: Muhammad began publically preaching in Mecca– Khadija was the first follower

• There was resistence to the monotheistic beliefs– The Arab belief before was polytheistic– The Ka’ba was a polytheistic shrine in Mecca

The Hirjah

• Because of persecuation, in 622 AD Muhammad decided to leave Mecca with a small band of followers– Traveled to town of Yathrib – 200 miles north of Mecca

• The migration became known as the Hirjah– Muhammad attracted many followers – Yathrib would be later renamed Medina– In Medina Muhamad became a political and military

leader• In 624 AD fought the Meccans at the battle of Badar

Return to Mecca

• 630 AD– Muhammad and followers returned to Mecca– The leaders in Mecca surrendered to the 10,000

troops– Muhammad destroyed the idols in the Ka’aba and

conducted the call to prayer on the roof– Many Meccans coverted to Islam• Joined the umma: Islamic religious community• Women were seen as equals, praying with men

Beliefs of Islam• The 5 Pillars

– Faith• “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger.”

– Prayer• Pray 5 times a day towards Mexxa• There may be an assembly at a mosque: an Islamic house of worship

– Alms• Muslims should support the less fortunate and give alms or money to the poor

through a religious tax

– Fasting• During Islamic holy month os Ramadan all Muslims fast from sun rise to sun set

– Pilgrimage• All Muslims who are physically and financially able, should preform a hajj, or

pilgrimage to Mexxa, at least once in their lives

The Islamic Way of Life

• Religion became a way of life in the community

• Religios customs affected daily life– Forbidden to eat pork – Forbidden to drink alcholic beverages– Friday afternoons are set aside for worship– Every Muslim must pray 5 times a day– Scholar class: ulama – no prieses or religious

authority

Sources of Authority

• Allah expressed his wishes through Gabriel and can be found in the Koran, written by Muhammad.

• Written after his death• Written in Arabic– Helped to unit Muslim states– Sunna: Muhammads example, best way to live life– Shari’a – holy law regulating family life, moral

conduct, busimess, and community lfie

Relationship to Judiasm and christanity

• 3rd Abrahamic Relgion• Allah is the same God worshiped in Christanity and

Judaism• Muslims view Jesus as a prohet, not the Messiah• The Qur’an is viewed as Allah’s words revealed to

Muhammad• Refer to Jewish and Christains as “people of the

book” necause teacjomgs are soo;ar• Shari’a calls for leaders to extend religious tolerance