1. The Muslim World 600 – 1258 AD 10. 1 The Rise of Islam
The Crescent Moon: Symbol of Islam based on the Islamic lunar calendar = The Hijrah Calendar, which began on 622 as year 1 symbolizing the flight from Mecca to Medina. The primary purpose of the Calendar is to determine holidays in festivals in the Islamic year.
The Rise of Islam

2. “Submission to the will of Allah” Muslims are “those who submit”
What is Islam?
“Submission to the will of Allah”
Muslims are “those who submit”
2nd largest religion: 1.6 Billion worldwide
Fasting Growing religion
Traces its roots to Abraham; it is the conclusion of Judaism & Christianity
Not all Muslims are Arabs and Not all Arabs are Muslims. Allah is the same God of Christianity & Judaism just by a different name. According to Muslims, Adam was the first Muslim and Islam has always existed, but somewhere along the way Jews and Christians lost their way so to speak and corrupted their religion with idols and divine messengers.

3. Arabian Peninsula Crossroads of 3 continents
Mostly desert with few Oases
Nomadic Bedouin tribes not united
organized into clans
fought over limited resources
The Arabs were religiously diverse. Many Jewish and Christian Arab tribes were among them as well as various pagan tribes.

4. Bedouins

5. Mecca City of trade & pilgrimage
Site of the Ka’aba: originally a shrine to Abraham, by 600 AD Arab clans filled it with pagan idols
Birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad
Mecca
Muslims as well as Jews trace their ethnic lineage to Abraham through his son Ismael. The Jews through Isaac. According to Islamic belief, God ordained a place of worship on Earth to reflect a house in heaven. Muslims believe that Adam, the first man, was the first to build such a place of worship. According to the Qur'an, the Ka'ba that stands today was built by the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail (Ishmael). It's said that when Abraham and Ishmael were building the Ka'aba, the stone was delivered to them by an angel from heaven. That story would suggest that the Black Stone is a meteorite. Before Muhammad, the Ka’aba was surrounded by 360 idols, and every Arab house had its god. Arabs also believed in djinn (subtle beings). Where the word Genie comes from.

7. Muhammad 570-632 AD Prophet of Islam; Not divine!
Orphaned as child; raised by uncle; became a merchant
Received 1st revelations in 610 AD while meditating in a cave near Mecca.
Muhammad’s name in traditional Arabic. “There is no God but the one God, Allah” Message given to Muhammad by the Arch Angel Gabriel.

8. Beliefs of Islam There is only ONE GOD (Allah)
Same God of Christians & Jews
Prophets receive revelations, but are not divine
Muhammad is the last of the prophets
Afterlife, Heaven, Hell, Last Judgment
All are equal before God & responsible for one’s actions

9. Muhammad Tries to unify Mecca under Islam
Began preaching 613 AD
Gained few-followers
Meccans feared losing independence, traditions, & trade = forced Muhammad to flee
Muhammad depicted with white veil over face. Not supposed to depict religious images = only God can create life, all else is idol worship.

10. The Hijrah (Flight to Yathrib) 622 AD
Turning point in Muhammad’s life
Marks Year #1 on the Islamic Calendar
Muhammad became leader, converted many
City renamed “Medina”
Medina means the city of the Prophet

11. Muhammad’s Victory Bedouins joined Muhammad in war against Mecca
630 AD: Muhammad & 10,000 Muslims forced Mecca to surrender.
Muhammad smashed the idols in the Ka’aba, and united Arabia under Islam
Muslims smash the idols at the Ka’aba

12. Orange: Islam at Death of Muhammad
Muhammad Died 632 AD

13. Sources of Authority The Qur’an: Muhammad’s revelations & teachings
The Sunna: Muhammad’s life example
The Shari’a: body of Islamic laws
Arabic became the only excepted language for the Qur’an. Caused an Arab aristocracy to develop in colonies where there lived Persians, Greeks, North Africans…

14. Arab scribe compiling Surras for the Qur’an

15. The Five Pillars of Islam
5 Duties to Demonstrate Submission to the Will of God
Confession of Faith in one God
Prayer 5 Times a Day
Give Alms to the Poor
Fasting during month of Ramadan
Pilgrimage to Mecca

16. Muezzin calls people to Prayer

17. The Hajj: all Muslims wear white robes to symbolize the equality of all souls before Allah

18. No Alcohol, No Pork, No Clergy, No Religious Idols