1. Unit 2: The Post-Classical Age, 600-1450 Part I – End of the Old, Beginning of the New

2. What do you know about Islam?

4. Iranian Women Afghani Women

5. New York Women Rural Women

7. Why Study Islam? Why is Islam important? How much impact did Islam have on the world? What areas were affected by Islam?

8. Buddhism Hinduism Islam Christianity Religions Diffusion

10. Setting for the Conversion Arabian peninsula was mostly desert Nomadic Bedouin people organized in family and clan groups Important in long-distance trade networks between China/India and Persia/Byzantium Religions of Arabia & Middle East Christianity Zorasterism Judaism Local Pagan Beliefs

12. Life of Muhammad Muhammad's early life Muhammad ibn Abdullah born, 570 C.E. Mecca merchant family Difficult early life, married a wealthy widow, Khadija, in 595 Became a merchant at age 30 exposed to various faiths Muhammad's spiritual transformation at age 40 There was only one true god, Allah ("the god") Allah would soon bring judgment on the world The archangel Gabriel delivered these revelations to Muhammad

13. Muhammad's Migration Conflict at Mecca His teachings offended the ruling elite of Mecca Attacks on greed offended wealthy merchants Attacks on idolatry threatened shrines the black rock at Ka'ba The hijra Under persecution, Muhammad and followers fled to Medina, 622 C.E. starting point of the Islamic calendar The umma: cohesive community of Muslims in Medina

14. Red Sea Mecca Medina Quba’ Day 1 Day 5 Day 26Day 12 Yathrib

15. Quran & Beliefs The Quran ("recitation")--holy book of Islam Followers compiled Muhammad's revelations Work of poetry and definitive authority on Islam Other works: hadith (sayings and deeds of Muhammad) The "seal of the prophets" Muhammad called himself the "seal of the prophets"— final prophet of Allah Held Hebrew scripture & New Testament in high esteem Determined to spread Allah's wish to all humankind

16. "And in their [the earlier prophets] footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the law that had come before him. We sent him the Gospel, therein was guidance and light and confirmation of the law that had come before him, a guidance and an admonition to those who fear God." Chapter 5, Verse 46 "Show forgiveness, speak for justice and avoid the ignorant." Chapter 7, Verse 199

17. Establishment of Islam Muhammad's return to Mecca He and his followers conquered Mecca, 630 Imposed a government dedicated to Allah Destroyed pagan shrines and built mosques The Ka'ba was not destroyed; it became site of pilgrimage in 632 Islamic law: the sharia, inspired by Quran proper behavior in almost every aspect of life became more than a religion, it became a way of life

19. What is it to be Muslim Hijab: veil worn by women in public Some nations go to the extreme the burka Women Quran does no more than Bible to restrict women’s rights Islam & Other Religions Quran does not advocate discrimination Advocates conversion

22. The Median Caliphate The Problem of Succession Abu Bakr (leader of prayers- companion and fourth convert) and Companions Ali (cousin and adopted son of Muhammad, husband of Fatima, second convert) and Abbas (uncle of Ali and the Prophet) The Median Caliphate (successor/representative) Abu Bakr (r. 632-634) ‘Umar (Omar ibn al-Khattab) (r. 634-644) ‘Uthman (Ummayyad clan) (r. 644-656) Ali (r. 656-661) The Sunni-Shiite split