1. Rise of Islam World Studies Mr. Szyzdek

2. Pre-Islamic Arabia Before Islam, some Arabs lived as nomadic herders called Bedouins. Two major towns were vital to trade Mecca and Medina were located on caravan routes that linked Arabia to Mediterranean Sea. Mecca was home to the Kabba. – Sacred shrine that housed the images of many Arab gods. – “Black Stone”- meteorite that Arabs believed was snt by god.

3. Mecca and Medina

4. Muhammad Born in Mecca in about 570 A.D Raised by his uncle. Received a vision from Archangel Gabriel ordering him to “Proclaim”. Message was not well received by the people of Mecca. Muhammad and his followers were forced to migrate to Medina. This migration is better known as Hejira. – Marked the beginning of the expansion of Islam. – First year of the Muslim Calendar

5. Conquering Mecca In 630 A.D, Muhammad led his army to conquer Mecca. Upon his success, he smashed the images of the gods in the Kabba. Dedicated the “Black Stone” to Allah.

7. Teachings of Islam Islam- submission to God. Basic Message- there is no God but God. Muhammad is the prophet of God. Koran- sacred text of Islam Believed to be the exact word of God Authority on religion, politics, law, economics and social life. Believed that Moses and Jesus were prophets of God as well. Allah is the same God of Jews and Christians.

8. The Five Pillars of Islam 1 st Pillar: Muslims proclaim their belief in one God. 2 nd Pillar: Prayer- pray five times daily in the direction of the Kabba. 3 rd Pillar: Charity to the Poor and Aged. – Zakat- literally means purification. In this instance from greed – Muslims who are financially stable are required to give 2.5% of their yearly earnings to charity.

9. Five Pillars Cont. 4 th Pillar: Fasting during holy month of Ramadan. – 9 th Month in the Muslim calendar. Gabriel spoke to Muhammad. – Cannot eat or drink from dawn to sunset. 5 th Pillar: Hajj – All Muslims who are able must make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life.

10. Success of Islam Muhammad had died in the city of Mecca in 632 A.D. By this time, Islam had spread across the entire Arabic Peninsula. Why did Islam expand so swiftly? Unifying beliefs Believed that soldiers who die in service of Islam get to enjoy paradise Lure of riches.

11. The End