The Rise of Islam

Geography

A Crossroads Location Arabian peninsula located on southwest corner of AsiaArabian peninsula located on southwest corner of Asia Intersection of three continents – Africa, Asia, and EuropeIntersection of three continents – Africa, Asia, and Europe Trade routes thousands of years oldTrade routes thousands of years old “Crossroads” location“Crossroads” location Merchants carried goods such as spices, silk and gold along the routesMerchants carried goods such as spices, silk and gold along the routes

Geography Much of Arabia is desert.Much of Arabia is desert. Many days are over 100 degrees and some parts are even hotter!Many days are over 100 degrees and some parts are even hotter! Water is often very hard to get.Water is often very hard to get. Sand dunes –Hills shaped by the windSand dunes –Hills shaped by the wind

Water Sources The Tigris and the Euphrates are the two most important rivers.The Tigris and the Euphrates are the two most important rivers. Water for most groups was found in oasis (small springs in the desert.)Water for most groups was found in oasis (small springs in the desert.)

How did the geography of Arabia affect their lives? Because of the heat and limited water, many Arab tribes were nomadic.Because of the heat and limited water, many Arab tribes were nomadic. Nomad – someone who moves around often.Nomad – someone who moves around often. They would find an oasis, set up camp for a short time and then move everything they had.They would find an oasis, set up camp for a short time and then move everything they had.

Two Ways of Life NomadsNomads –Traveled with their herds across desert –Moving as seasons changed –Lived in tents –Find food for their animals –Depended on camel for Transportation –Tribe important to nomads

Two Ways of Life TownspeopleTownspeople –Settled in Oasis, Sedentary –Towns along trade routes –Most in Arabia lived in towns –Merchants & Craftspeople –Caravan – group of traders that traveled together

Trade in Arabia Towns became centers of trade for both Nomads and TownspeopleTowns became centers of trade for both Nomads and Townspeople Many towns had a souk – a market or bazaarMany towns had a souk – a market or bazaar Nomads traded animal products and goods such as cooking supplies and clothingNomads traded animal products and goods such as cooking supplies and clothing Merchants sold spices, gold, leather and other goodsMerchants sold spices, gold, leather and other goods

Check for Understanding 1.Why was Arabia considered a crossroads location? 2.What is Arabia much of? 3.What are the two important rivers that provide water? 4.Describe nomadic way of life? 5.Describe life in an Arabian town? 6.What is a Souk?

Muhammad and the Origins of Islam

Before Islam Most Arab tribes were polytheistic before 600 A.D.Most Arab tribes were polytheistic before 600 A.D. Polytheistic: believe in many godsPolytheistic: believe in many gods They used idols (small statues) to represent them.They used idols (small statues) to represent them. Each tribe had their own Gods.Each tribe had their own Gods.

Mecca and the (Ka’bah) Kaaba Mecca was a small trading town built around the Kaaba Thought to be built by Abraham Tribes kept idols to their gods in the Kaaba Focus point for prayer.

Muhammad Orphaned as a child, raised by uncle, became a merchant.Orphaned as a child, raised by uncle, became a merchant. As an adult he was unhappy with society. Rich people of Mecca were greedy and cruel with less fortunate.As an adult he was unhappy with society. Rich people of Mecca were greedy and cruel with less fortunate. Would go to cave in Hira to meditate and pray.Would go to cave in Hira to meditate and pray. Married Khadija: was a successful merchant, had many children, only one daughter – Fatima.Married Khadija: was a successful merchant, had many children, only one daughter – Fatima.

Muhammad’s Reaction Angel Gabriel (Jibril)Angel Gabriel (Jibril) Tells him message from God.Tells him message from God. For three years he receives messages.For three years he receives messages. He tells no one of these messages except for wife and close friends.He tells no one of these messages except for wife and close friends.

Qur’an – Koran believed by Muslim’s to be the written record of God’s words revealed to Muhammad.believed by Muslim’s to be the written record of God’s words revealed to Muhammad.

The Qur’an (Koran) “The Word of Allah” Can not be mistreated, most covered in cloth, cannot touch the floor. The Sunnah “The Words and deeds of Muhammad” (includes the Five Pillars)

How did people react to Muhammad? The merchants did not want to believe, they wanted to keep the money to themselves.The merchants did not want to believe, they wanted to keep the money to themselves. They threatened Muhammad and his followers.They threatened Muhammad and his followers. Muhammad left Mecca in 622 A.D. Because they were being persecuted.Muhammad left Mecca in 622 A.D. Because they were being persecuted. Muhammad left to Medina in a pilgrimage that is know as the hejira.Muhammad left to Medina in a pilgrimage that is know as the hejira.

Check for Understanding 1.What were most Arab tribes before 600 AD? 2.What is Mecca? 3.What was kept in the Kaaba? 4.Who was Muhammad? 5.How long did Muhammad receive messages for? 6.What is the Qur’an?

Five Pillars of Islam Set of 5 rules all Muslims must live by.Set of 5 rules all Muslims must live by. Given by Muhammad in the Sunna.Given by Muhammad in the Sunna.

The Five Pillars Saum: The Fast Hajj: Pilgrimage Salat: Prayer Zakat: Charity The Five Pillars Shahada: Declaration

Check for Understanding 1.What are the 5 Pillars? 2.Name the 5 Pillars? 3.What Pillar requires prayer 5 times a day? 4.What Pillar requires a pilgrimage to Mecca?

Economics

Muslim Merchants The Islamic Empire was the center of the spice trade.The Islamic Empire was the center of the spice trade. If the Roman Empire and China wanted to trade, they had to go through Arabia first.If the Roman Empire and China wanted to trade, they had to go through Arabia first. This meant the Islamic Empire could control much of the trade.This meant the Islamic Empire could control much of the trade.

Roman Empire Islamic Empire China Barbarians! Scary! The Spice Trade

So what? Traders who came through Arabia often learned the Arabic language. Traders who became Muslim were more accepted by the Islamic Empire. Arab traders going to Rome and elsewhere spread Islam as they went.

The Bazaar

The Bazaar A bazaar is a large, open-air market where many things are sold. The closest thing today would be a swap meet. Most towns would have one.

Christianity Church Bible God Savior? Jesus Monotheistic Food prep? No Prayer? Yes Moses, Abraham, Gabriel, Jesus Islam Mosque Qu’ran Allah Savior? Muhammad Monotheistic Food prep? Yes Prayer? Yes…5x a day Moses, Abraham, Gabriel, Jesus, Muhammad Judaism Temple Torah Jehovah Savior? Yes…not yet! Monotheistic Food prep: Yes Prayer? Yes Moses, Abraham, Gabriel

Religion The Qu’ran Muhammad Shahada Salah Zakat Saum Hajj

Language

Language Arabic has its own alphabet and is read from right to left.Arabic has its own alphabet and is read from right to left. It spread around the world as Arab merchants traded.It spread around the world as Arab merchants traded. Spreading the language helped spread Islam.Spreading the language helped spread Islam.

Check for Understanding 1.What trade is the center of the Islamic world? 2.What spread with Arab trade? 3.What is a Bazaar? 4.What two religions are similar to Islam? 5.Which direction does Arabic read?

Cultural Achievements

Astronomy Many Muslim cities had observatoriesMany Muslim cities had observatories They studied astronomy to understand time and clockmaking.They studied astronomy to understand time and clockmaking. They improved the astrolabe, which charts the position of the stars and helped Arabs find their location on earth. Helped Arabs know where to face towards Mecca.They improved the astrolabe, which charts the position of the stars and helped Arabs find their location on earth. Helped Arabs know where to face towards Mecca. Advances in astronomy increased exploration.Advances in astronomy increased exploration.

Islamic architecture was very, very advanced!

Here’s how they did it:

The Water Wheel The power of the river turns the water wheel.The power of the river turns the water wheel. Small buckets pick up water as they pass through the river.Small buckets pick up water as they pass through the river. They dump their water into an aqueduct when they tip over.They dump their water into an aqueduct when they tip over.

Math and Science

The Islamic Empire became a world center for learning.The Islamic Empire became a world center for learning. They studied medicine, space and invented algebra.They studied medicine, space and invented algebra. People traveled from all over the world to study in Baghdad.People traveled from all over the world to study in Baghdad.

The Camel

Camels “The Ships of the Desert”“The Ships of the Desert” Survived long periods without water.Survived long periods without water. Used for trade, travel and even war.Used for trade, travel and even war. Important for the “hajj” (pilgrimage to Mecca).Important for the “hajj” (pilgrimage to Mecca). Transportation: Primarily camels who are adapted to survive in the desert.Transportation: Primarily camels who are adapted to survive in the desert.

Desert Trade Traveling across the desert was very dangerous. Bandits and enemy tribes were a constant threat. Water was very hard to find. Wells were dug but were often not shared among tribes.

Check for Understanding 1.Why did the Arabs study astronomy? 2.What did astronomy help to increase? 3.How does a water wheel work? 4.What type of math did the Arabs invent? 5.What is the camel’s nickname? 6.Who was a constant threat in the desert?

Spreading Islam Muhammad’s ideas were NOT accepted peacefully.Muhammad’s ideas were NOT accepted peacefully. He was kicked out of Mecca.He was kicked out of Mecca. While away he built an army.While away he built an army. He returned to Mecca and fought for 3 years before conquering them and destroying their idols.He returned to Mecca and fought for 3 years before conquering them and destroying their idols.

Essential Question: Why was Islam able to spread so quickly and convert so many to the new religion?

The Spread of Islam  Easy to learn and practice.  No priesthood.  Teaches equality.  Non-Muslims, who were “Peoples of the Book,” were allowed religious freedom, but paid additional taxes.  Easily “portable”  nomads & trade routes.  Jihad (“Holy War”) against pagans and other non-believers (“infidels”).

Check for Understanding 1.How was Muhammad’s ideas accepted? 2.What city did Muhammad get kicked out of? 3.What did he do while he was gone? 4.What did he do when he returned?