Rise of Islam

Deserts, Towns, and Travelers Bedouins: many nomadic tribes that made up the Arabian desert. Trade routes connected Arabia to the major ocean and land trade routes. Their ideals of courage and loyalty to family influenced Islam. By the early 600s, many Arabs settled in an oasis or in a market town.

Mecca Mecca was located on a major trade route and religious pilgrims stopped there to worship shrines and idols in Ka’aba. Many Christians and Jews lived in Arab lands and practiced monotheism. Monotheism, the belief in one god, was practiced in Arabia.

The Prophet Muhammad Muhammad was born in Mecca and orphaned at age 6. At about 40, the angel Gabriel spoke to Muhammad as he meditated. Muhammad learned he was the last of the prophets and Allah was the one, true God. Muhammad’s revelations were recorded in the Qur’an. He was raised by his grandfather and uncle and worked in caravan trade. Few images or depictions because use of images may encourage idolatry.

The Prophet Muhammad cont. Muhammad began to preach these ideas publicly in Mecca. At first, he had little success with Muslims being stoned and beaten in the streets. Islam: means “submission to the will of Allah.” Muslim: means “one who has submitted.”

The Hijrah Unwelcome, Muhammad and his followers move 200 miles north to Yathrib in 622. This migration became known as the Hijrah. Yathrib was later renamed Medina, meaning “city of the Prophet.”

Returning to Mecca In Medina, Muhammad displayed impressive leadership skills. Many Bedouin tribes converted to Islam as Medina fought Mecca. In 630, the Prophet and 10,000 marched to Mecca. Mecca’s leaders surrendered and then Muhammad destroyed the idols in the Ka’aba. Muhammad died tow years later, at about 62.

Five Pillars of Islam Faith Prayer Alms Fasting Pilgrimage Faith “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” Prayer Fives times a day Alms Muhammad taught that they had a responsibility to support the less fortunate. Fasting During Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink between dawn and sunset. It is to remind them that they have greater needs than bread. Pilgrimage Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime.

Qur’an A collection of Muhammad’s revelations that were put together in a book shortly after his death. Written in Arabic, and only the Arabic version to be the true word of God. Only Arabic can be used in worship.

Muhammad’s Successors Caliph-a title that means successor or deputy “Rightly Guided” Caliphs Abu-Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali Used the Qur’an and Muhammad’s actions as guides to leadership.

Islam Spreads Muslim armies were well disciplined Byzantine and Persian empires had been weakened due to conflict making invasion easy. Qur’an forbade forced conversion so conquered peoples could keep their religion. Persecuted people joined the Muslims and saw them as liberators.

Umayyads Came to power after the assassination of Ali. Hereditary system of succession Moved capital to Damascus Surrounded themselves with wealth Leadership issues

Sunni-Shi’a Split Shi’a-(party of Ali) The caliph needed to be a relative of the Prophet. Sunni-(followers of Muhammad’s example) Didn’t outwardly resist the rule of Umayyads.