6 th Grade Social Studies

The religion of Islam, based on the teachings of Muhammad, spread across the Arabian peninsula and far beyond to become a major world religion.

 Christianity had grown around the Roman Empire and spread into North Africa and Mesopotamia.  Judaism, which had also grown in the eastern Mediterranean, reached as far as the oasis towns of western Arabia.

 In the same region of Arabia, a new religion called Islam was born.  Islam means “submit to the will of God” in Arabic, the Arab language.  Followers of Islam are called Muslims- which translates “ones who submit to God.”  The stories and teachings of Islam have been written down in the Quran, the most important book of Islam.

 According to Muslim tradition, a boy named Muhhamad was born in the oasis city of Mecca about A.D  Raised by and uncle who was a trader  In time Muhammad mastered the skill of leading caravans

 Muhammad’s skills caught the eye of a wealthy widow and merchant, Khadija.  On her behalf, Muhammad traveled to the Fertile Crescent to trade goods  When he returned from his journey, they married

 His marriage to Khadija is said to have given him wealth and respect in busy Mecca, where they lived.  Mecca lays on the main trading route through western Arabia.  Attracted other visitors because of the Kaaba, Mecca’s temple.  Honored the gods and goddesses worshipped by the people of Mecca

 Muhammad often went to a mountain cave near Mecca to pray.  When he was 40, “something” happened that would change the history of Arabia  Muslims believe that Muhammad received a message from Allah.  Allah is the Arabic word for God  Over many years, Allah is said to have given other messages to Muhammad

 Muhammad set out to teach people in Mecca about Allah.  Over the next three years, his group of followers slowly grew  He criticized the Meccans’ way of life and their belief in MANY gods.  His disagreement w/ city leaders is said to have caused him and his followers to leave Mecca in 622

 Moved over 200 miles from Mecca to another oasis town, Medina.  Muhammad’s hijra- Arabic for “migration” – marked a major turning point in Islamic history  The year of the hijra, 622, marks the starting point of the Islamic calendar A prophet’s mosque in Medina.

 In 624 Muhammad led attacks on Meccan caravans, cutting off Mecca’s source of riches.  Later, w/ peace agreements, he is said to have won Mecca’s surrender.  After his victory in 630, Muhammad destroyed the statues of the gods and goddesses in the Kaaba and proclaimed Mecca a Muslim city.  It is holy to Muslims to this day

 In Islamic belief the Quran contains Allah’s teachings to Muhammad.  The most important teaching was that there was only one God in the universe- Allah  Serves as a guide for Muslims, as the Bible does for Jews and Christians.  Through its words, Muslims learn about Allah’s teachings

 Daily confession of faith (shahada) Daily confession of faith (shahada)  Daily ritual prayer (salat) Daily ritual prayer (salat)  Paying the alms tax (zakat) Paying the alms tax (zakat)  Fasting during the month of Ramadan (sawm) Fasting during the month of Ramadan (sawm)  Pilgrimmage to Mecca (hajj) Pilgrimmage to Mecca (hajj)

 During the 100 years after the death of Muhammad, the Islamic community grew steadily.  AD 750, followers of Islam could be found from Spain all the way to the Indus Valley (India).  Arabic became the common language in many Islamic lands.

 Around 5 million Muslims live in the United States today.  Muslim customs often vary from one country to another.  Nearly all Muslims honor the end of Ramadan with a joyful feast.  People wear new clothes to celebrate the beginning of the month following the long fast.

 Millions of Muslims from around the world still make the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca every year.  Muslims everywhere view the pilgrimage as one of the most important events in their lives.  At home Muslim women take time to teach their children about the Quran.  Muslim families have celebrations when sons or daughters memorize large parts of the Quran.

 The modern city of Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, is the center of a world-wide Muslim community.  For almost 1,400 years Islam has been anchored in both the life of Muhammad and the teachings of the Quran.  The religion of Islam has shaped civilizations and human achievements.

 According to Muslim belief, Muhammad, the founder of Islam, lived from AD 570 to 632. Muhammad preached that there was only one God- Allah.  Muhammad journeyed from Mecca to Medina to 622. This event is called the hijra. Muhammad went on to become a powerful leader in Medina. Later the returned and proclaimed Mecca a holy city.

 Muslims believe that the sacred book of Islam, the Quran, contains holy teaching that Muhammad received from Allah.  The 5 Pillars of Islam from the Quran instruct Muslims about how they should honor Allah in their lives.