Chapter 9 – Muslim Civilization

Section 1: The Origins of Islam

Section 1: The Origins of Islam Main Idea Muhammad, a merchant whom Muslims believe was the last prophet of God, reported that he received messages from God. The religion he taught—Islam—drew many followers (Muslims). Objectives What was Arabia like at the time of Muhammad’s birth? What were Muhammad’s messages, and how were they received? What are some basic ideas of Islam?

I. The Arabian Peninsula Most of peninsula is desert, except for narrow strips along coasts

Rub al-Khali - the "Empty Quarter"

I. The Arabian Peninsula Bedouins moved herds between oases; were organized into tribes led by a sheikh

I. The Arabian Peninsula Towns grew up along the coasts; townspeople became traders

I. The Arabian Peninsula Mecca, located on major caravan routes, became a trade and religious center The Kaaba Camel Caravan

II. Muhammad the Messenger c. A.D. 570 - Muhammad was born into a poor clan of Mecca’s ruling tribe Birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

II. Muhammad the Messenger Raised by uncle, became a successful and respected merchant; at age 25 he wed a widow named Khadijah

II. Muhammad the Messenger He was a spiritual man and frequently went off to meditate about the problems he saw in Mecca The Cave of Hira, where Muhammad meditated

II. Muhammad the Messenger At age 40, the angel Jibreel appeared; told Muhammad to recite revelations from Allah Muhammad's Call to Prophecy and the First Revelation

II. Muhammad the Messenger Mecca’s rulers and merchants opposed Muhammad Muhammad teaching about Islam (submission to the will of God) to his Muslim (one who submits) followers

II. Muhammad the Messenger Businessmen feared monotheistic teachings would stop pilgrimages to the Kaaba The Kaaba during a Hajj

II. Muhammad the Messenger A.D. 622 - Muhammad and his followers moved from Mecca to Yathrib - the hegira

II. Muhammad the Messenger Yathrib became Medina; 622 became year one of Muslim calendar The Mosque of the Prophet in Medina (City of the Prophet)

II. Muhammad the Messenger As Muhammad gained followers, tensions between Mecca and Medina led to war Muhammad and his companions advancing on Mecca. The angels Jibrail, Mikail , Israfil and Azrail, are also in the painting

II. Muhammad the Messenger 630 - Mecca defeated; Muhammad destroyed idols in the Kaaba and re-dedicated it to Allah Muhammad re-dedicating the Black Stone at the Kaaba

The Stone is actually broken into several pieces, damage which occurred when it was stolen in 930. Warriors sacked Mecca and carried the Black Stone away to their base in Bahrain. It was returned twenty-two years later. In the process, the Black Stone was cracked. It is now held together by the silver band, which is fastened by silver nails to the Stone.

II. Muhammad the Messenger Muhammad died in 632; Arabs spread Islam across SW Asia and North Africa

III. Basic Ideas of Islam Islam is based on belief that there is only one God - Allah; believers must obey God’s will “Allah is One”

III. Basic Ideas of Islam Followers of Islam are Muslims; their holy book is the Qur’an - only written in Arabic at first

III. Basic Ideas of Islam Qur’an contains rules/instructions for right living, the Five Pillars of Islam, and jihad

The Performance of Tawaaf Stoning of Jamaarat Tent city in Mecca

III. Basic Ideas of Islam Arabic became the common language of Muslims in religion, law, literature and trade

III. Basic Ideas of Islam Sunna (tradition) - Record of Muhammad’s behavior; provides guidance in personal & business relationships

III. Basic Ideas of Islam Sharia - Muslim legal system; made up of legal opinions, cases, & writings

III. Basic Ideas of Islam Muslims worship in mosques, guided by men trained in the Qur’an and Islamic law

III. Basic Ideas of Islam Muhammad accepted the Torah and Bible; said Muslims, Jews, & Christians are all “People of the Book”