The Rise of Islam

Ms. Carmelitano

Bell Ringer

The Islamic Empire began on the Arabian

Peninsula Today: Saudi Arabia This served as the bridge between Africa, Asia,

and Europe

Location

Only a small strip of land can support

agriculture The rest is barren desert 1,200 miles north – south and 1,300 miles east -

west

Geography of the Arabian Peninsula

Nomadic

Bedouins: Arab nomads Clan governments

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

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

Farming Communities Small communities formed around areas called an

oasis: Fertile green area with water

These became trading towns

Life in the Desert

Trade routes connected Arabia to empires in

Europe. Asia, and Africa Cross Roads of trade

Trade

Islam

Ms. Carmelitano

The Prophet Muhammad

Muhammad was born in Mecca This was a trading hub located at the Red Sea It is now a holy place for Muslims

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

He made routine pilgrimages to Mt. Hira to pray and meditate

610 CE Muhammad 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 prophets

Rise of the Islamic Religion

Koran (Qur’an)

The holy book of Islam A written account of Muhammad’s revelations Written in Arabic

Unites Muslims under one language Name means “recitation”

Each chapter, or Suras, is believed to be a revelation from Allah As told to Muhammad by archangel Gabriel

The Holy Book

Islam means: submission to the will of Allah Muslim: “those who submit to Islam”

Followers

613 CE: Muhammad began publically

preaching in Mecca Khadijah was the first follower

There was resistance to the monotheistic beliefs The religion in Saudi Arabia was polytheistic

Growth of Islam

Monotheistic Muslims were persecuted

622 CE: Muhammad and a small band of followers left Mecca

Traveled to Medina – 200 miles north of Mecca The migration became known as the Hijrah

In Medina Muhammad became a political and military leader In 624 CE fought the Meccans at the battle of

Badar This began the tradition of Islamic leaders as

political, religious, and military leaders

The Hijra

630 CE

Muhammad and followers returned to Mecca The leaders in Mecca surrendered to the 10,000

troops Muhammad destroyed the idols in the Ka’aba (a

polytheistic shrine) and conducted the call to prayer on the roof It would become one the three holiest shires in

Islam Many Meccans converted to Islam

Joined the Umma: Islamic religious community

Return to Mecca

The 5 Pillars

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

Prayer Pray 5 times a day towards Mecca 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 of Ramadan all Muslims fast from sun rise to sun set

Pilgrimage All Muslims who are physically and financially able, should perform a

Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in their lives

Beliefs of Islam

Religious customs affected daily life Shari’a – holy law regulating family life, moral

conduct, business, and community life Forbidden to eat pork Forbidden to drink alcoholic beverages Friday afternoons are set aside for worship Every Muslim must pray 5 times a day Scholar class: Ulama – no priests or religious

authority

The Islamic Way of Life

The Ka’aba: Muslim holy shrine in Mecca

Muslims final destination during their pilgrimage (Hajj) Islam’s holiest building Muslims face the Ka’aba when they pray Located in Mecca

Mosque: A house of worship for Islam Dome of the Rock:

Located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem Belief:

In 621 Muslims believe Muhammad went on his “Night Journey” He was transported from Mecca to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem The Dome of the Rock is built on the location where it is believed

Muhammad ascended into heaven It is located in the same place where Christians and Jews believed

Abraham tried to sacrifice his son

Shrines of Islam

3rd Abrahamic religion Allah is the same God worshiped in

Christianity and Judaism Muslims view Jesus as a prophet, not the

Messiah Belief in a Heaven and a Hell Refer to Jews and Christians as “people of the

book” Shari’a calls for leaders to extend religious

tolerance to people of the book

Relationship to Judaism and Christianity