Unit 3 The Islamic World

Chapter 3 the Rise of Islam

Geography and Life in Arabia

Geographic Features of Arabia Arabia is mostly a desert land Arabia is made up of 3 deserts, the Syrian Desert, the Nafud Desert, and the Rub’ Al-Khali Arabia is also surrounded by water on three sides, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, and the Red Sea This makes it a peninsula called the Arabian Peninsula.

Geographic Features of Arabia desert oasis Hot & Dry Huge and sandy Sand dunes: hills of sand shaped by the wind Limited water No permanent lakes of rivers. Cover much of Arabia’s interior. Wet, fertile, soil area in the desert Form where underground water bubbles to the surface. Geographic Features of Arabia

Nomadic Sedentary Lived in tents and raised herds of sheep, goats, and camels. Traveled with their herds across the deserts Belonged to a tribe that offered protection from desert dangers. Settled people Lived in or around oasis Most people lived in towns Merchants and craftspeople lived and traded in towns Centers for caravans. Desert Lifestyles

Activity: Instructions: Create a collage that depicts the two main features of Arabia’s geography—desert and oasis---and the two main lifestyles of Arabia---nomadic and sedentary.

Oasis Desert Climate Lifestyle Benefits Drawbacks BellWork 10/23/12

Section 1 Geography & Life in Arabia

A Crossroads Location The Arabian Peninsula is located in the southwest corner of Asia It lies near the intersection of three continents – Asia, Africa, & Europe. Trade routes passing through the region have linked the three continents for thousands of years.

Physical Features Region has hot and dry air which has created many deserts. Sand Dunes: hills of sand shaped by the wind that can rise to 800 feet high and stretch for hundreds of miles. Oasis: a wet, fertile area in a desert.

Desert Climate Arabia is one of the hottest, driest places in the world Hard for plants and animals to survive.

Two Ways of Life To live in Arabia’s difficult desert environment, people developed two main ways of life. Nomadic: moving from place to place Nomads lived in tents and raised herds of sheep, goats, and camels. Traveled with herds across the desert, moving along regular routes as seasons changed, to get food and water for their animals. Sedentary: settled, life in towns Settled in oasis, where they farmed Most people in Arabia lived in towns

Trade Centers Merchants and craftspeople worked with people in the caravan trade. Caravan: is a group of traders that travel together. Most towns had a souk: market or bazaar in which nomads traded animal products and desert herbs for goods. Merchants would sell spices, gold, leather, and other goods.

Section 2 Origins of Islam

Who was Muhammad? What Religion Did he establish and Why? Objective Questions Who was Muhammad? What Religion Did he establish and Why?

Muhammad Becomes a Prophet A man by the name of Muhammad introduced a new religion to the people of Arabia Not much is known about Muhammad, but what we do know comes from religious writings.

Muhammad’s early Life Born into an important family in Mecca around 570 AD Both his parents died before Muhammad was age 6. Raised by his grandfather and uncle. Traveled with his uncle’s caravans Managed a caravan business and married the owner, Khadijah. Muhammad noticed that many rich people in Mecca did not share their wealth with the poor as they were supposed to.

A Message for Muhammad When Muhammad was 40, he went into a cave to meditate. According to Islamic teachings, an angel appeared and told Muhammad to become a prophet of God’s word. Muhammad was scared but in 613 AD did start to tell other people the messages from God. The messages Muhammad received form the basis of the religion called Islam. The word Islam means “to submit to God.” A follower of Islam is called a Muslim. Muslims believe Muhammad continued receiving messages from God for the rest of his life. These messages were collected in the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam.

Muhammad’s Teachings Not all of Muhammad’s early teachings were new; in fact, some were much like the teachings of Judaism and Christianity. But Muhammad’s teachings did challenge and upset the people of Arabia. A Belief in One God: “Allah” much like Christianity and Judaism, monotheistic religion. Recognized the same prophets as Christianity and Judaism.

A Challenge to Old Ideas Most Arabs were not Jews or Christians, so Muhammad’s teachings were not accepted. Believed in many gods, polytheism, and worshipped them in shrines. Did not like being told to stop worshipping their gods and goddesses. Muhammad’s new religion seemed like a threat to people who made money, especially merchants. Rich and poor were supposed to be equal according to Muhammad. People should give money to help the poor. Many wealthy merchants didn’t want to help the poor. Instead, they wanted to keep all of their money. Because of this, Muhammad’s teachings were rejected.

Islam Spreads in Arabia From Mecca to Medina Slowly, more people began to listen to Muhammad. In his hometown of Mecca, Muhammad had to watch out for attacks on him and his followers from the wealthy rulers, who did not agree with his teachings. In 622 AD, Muhammad, his family, and his followers left Mecca and traveled to Medina, “the Prophet’s city”. This departure from Mecca to Medina has become known in Muslim history as the hegira.

From Medina to the Rest of Arabia Muhammad’s house became the first mosque, place for Muslim prayer. Muhammad said that Muslims should face Mecca when they pray instead of Jerusalem. Muslims recognize the importance of the Kaaba, which was a house of worship built in Mecca. As time passed, other Arab tribes adopted Muhammad’s teachings and eventually, Muhammad was allowed back into Mecca. Muhammad died in 632 AD in Medina.

Section 3 islamic Beliefs & Practices

The Qur’an After Muhammad’s death, his followers wrote down his teachings in a book, the Qur’an. The central teaching in the Qur’an is that there is only one God – Allah – and the Muhammad is his prophet. Islam teaches that the world has a beginning and an end and those who follow God’s orders will be granted life in paradise, much like the Bible.

The Qur’an The Qur’an guides Muslims behavior, for example, Muslims must wash themselves before they pray, and they cannot eat pork or drink alcohol. The Qur’an also encourages Muslims to free slaves. It also describes rights for women, including the right to own property, earn money, and get an education. However, most Muslim women still have fewer rights than men.

The Qur’an Jihad: “to make an effort, or to struggle.” Refers to the inner struggle people go through in their effort to obey God. Also can mean the struggle to defend the Muslim community. The word has been also translated as “holy war”.

The Sunnah The Qur’an is not the only source of Islamic teachings. The Sunnah refers to the way Muhammad lived, which provides a model for the duties and the way of life expected of Muslims.

The Five Pillars of Islam Five acts of worship required of all Muslims. “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is his prophet.” Muslims must pray 5 times a day: before sunrise, at midday, in late afternoon, right after sunset, and before going to bed. Yearly donation to charity Fasting, going without food and drink, Ramadan. Hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lives.

Islamic Law Shariah, Islamic Law, is a system based on Islamic sources and human reason that judges the rightness of actions an individual or community might take. Shariah sets rewards for good behavior and punishment for crimes. It is the basis for law in Muslim countries until modern times.