II. The Arabian Peninsula AFRICA ASIA EUROPE ARABIAN PENINSULA The Arabian Peninsula is a land bridge between Asia and Africa – surrounded by water on 4 sides. Persian Gulf Mediterranean Sea Red Sea Indian Ocean

B. More than ¾ of peninsula is desert. C. Populated by a nomadic people called BEDOUINS (bed-o-wens), who lived in clans and tribes [also called ARABS]. D. They were able to live in the extreme desert conditions and were fierce fighters, raiding each others’ camps and caravans. E. Bedouins were loyal to family and courageous. F. Water and grass found in areas known as OASES. G. Main animal for travel and transport: the camel H. Largest town on western coast: MECCA.

III. The Arabian Peninsula was a Crossroads Trade routes connected Arabia to other parts of the world. Merchants from the Byzantine Empire and the Persian Empire used caravan routes. Good from the Silk Road often traveled through Arabia. Mecca, in the west, was an important stop on the trade routes – many merchants. IDEAS – as well as goods – traveled along trade routes.

IV. Early Religion in the Arabian Peninsula Arab people were related to the Jews through Abraham and his son, Ishmael. Some Arabs in the peninsula were monotheistic, but most were polytheistic. Christians and Jews lived in Arabia. A special house in Mecca, the Ka’aba, was a shrine to many idols and was a PILGRIMAGE site (a religious place you visit). Many believed in a supreme god called ALLAH.

V. Birth and Early Years of Muhammad Born around 570 in Mecca and orphaned when young. Raised by his grandfather and uncle. Became a merchant. Worked for, and then married, a wealthy businesswoman named Khadijah. He was familiar with Christianity and Judaism as a result of business trips. Muhammad took a great interest in spiritual matters and spent much time in prayer and meditation. At about age 40, Muhammad had a revelation… .

G. Muhammad believed that a messenger angel from God, Gabriel, came to him. H. Muhammad said Gabriel told him he (Muhammad) would be God’s messenger. I. Muhammad believed Allah had spoken to him and that Allah was the one and only God – all others had to be abandoned. J. In Arabic, “Islam” means “submission to the will of Allah.” K. A “Muslim” is “one who had submitted. L. Muhammad’s wife and a small band of friends and family were his first followers.

VI. The First Years of the New Religion By 613, Muhammad began to preach publicly, but had little success. Many people believed his ideas would lead to neglect of local gods. Others believed that monotheism would be bad for Mecca, because people would stop coming to the Ka’aba to worship. The heat was on, and Muhammad decided to flee Mecca. He first sent his followers 200 miles away, to Medina, and then he followed in 622. This trip is called the HIJRA (or HEGIRA).

F. Muhammad had more success in Medina and became the political leader of the town (which also had Christians and Jews). G. His religious talents drew new followers to the faith. H. The Hijra is considered year 1 of the Islamic era. I. Muhammad was also a skilled warrior and became led raids against caravans going to and from Mecca. J. Soon, almost all the Bedouin tribes had converted to Islam and joined Muhammad in religious and military matters.

K. In 630, Muhammad and 10,000 followers entered Mecca and seized the city. L. From the roof of the Ka’aba, Muhammad declared, “Truth has come and falsehood has vanished.” M. The idols in the Ka’aba were destroyed, and the site became the most holy spot of the new religion. N. Muhammad died in 632 at the age of 62.