The History of Islam

OPEN TO Pages 252-253

EQ: What was life like in the Middle East before Islam?

How/Why was the Islamic faith founded?

The History of Islam• Setting: Mecca, Saudi Arabia, The

Arabian Peninsula

• Background:

– The Arabian peninsula was inhabited by tribal nomads called Bedouins.

– These nomads wandered the desert from oasis to oasis. They had only few permanent settlements (like Mecca)

– They fought constantly over resources, blood feuds erupted between tribes often

– They were also polytheistic and worshipped MANY gods and goddesses

The History of Islam• Event #1: Muhammad was born in

Mecca to wealth farming parents…BUT was orphaned at a young age and forced to live with his uncle, a traveling merchant– While travelling with his uncle,

Muhammad was exposed to many other world religions (Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism)

• Event #2: Muhammad returned to Mecca at age 25 and married Khadijah a wealthy widow almost twice his age, settled down and had daughters

The History of Islam• Event #3: While living in

Mecca, Muhammad began to become troubled with the polytheistic worship practices of his fellow people…idol worship, sacrifices and other heathen rituals

• Event #4: One day when he was 40, Muhammad went to pray on Mt. Hira…suddenly the angel Gabriel appeared and told Muhammad to “Recite!”

The History of Islam• Event #5: Muhammad returned

home, excited about his vision but troubled that he would have to be a messenger…it was his wife Khadijah who encouraged him. Muhammad went out into the streets of Mecca and began to preach Gabriel’s message

• Event #6: Muhammad met with extreme persecution and ridicule…he was forced to flee to Yathrib (now Medina) in 622 AD, an event now known as the hijra.

The History of Islam• Event #7: In Yathrib (Medina),

Muhammad was able to convert the population…with these converts, he began to attack traders travelling to Mecca…eventually Mecca was crippled, and Muhammad returned to rule in 630 AD

• Event #8: Muhammad spent the next 2 years uniting all Arabs under Islam, but he died suddenly in 632 AD

For the remainder of the period…

• Read “The Quran” on page 971.

– Answer “Analyzing Primary Sources” questions

– Answer additional questions listed

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