Rise of Islam

Arab Society  Arab meaning from Arabian Peninsula  Agricultural and herded animals.  Because nomadic…developed clan or tribes within their society.  Clans/Tribes  family oriented  Sheikh - male leaders  Valued - loyalty, honor, courage, generosity, and hospitality. Why?  Arab meaning from Arabian Peninsula  Agricultural and herded animals.  Because nomadic…developed clan or tribes within their society.  Clans/Tribes  family oriented  Sheikh - male leaders  Valued - loyalty, honor, courage, generosity, and hospitality. Why?

The Prophet Muhammad  Born in Mecca in 570 to a poor clan of Mecca’s ruling tribe.  Parents died when he was young.  Married women 15 years older…had 3 sons and 4 daughters…only one survived.  Most Arabs were polytheists…but Muhammad adopted monotheistic beliefs through encounters with Jews and Christians.  Born in Mecca in 570 to a poor clan of Mecca’s ruling tribe.  Parents died when he was young.  Married women 15 years older…had 3 sons and 4 daughters…only one survived.  Most Arabs were polytheists…but Muhammad adopted monotheistic beliefs through encounters with Jews and Christians.

Muhammad’s Experience  40 years old went to meditate alone in a cave when angel Gabriel spoke to him.  Over next 22 years compiled messages from god into one book the Quran (Koran) which is the holy book of Islam.  40 years old went to meditate alone in a cave when angel Gabriel spoke to him.  Over next 22 years compiled messages from god into one book the Quran (Koran) which is the holy book of Islam.

Muhammad’s Message 1. There is only one God (Allah)…  He had no kids  He is above all others  You need toObey his will 2. All are seen as equal in the eyes of God  looking out for each other (weak or needy)  Ideas are radical to polytheistic Arabs. 1. There is only one God (Allah)…  He had no kids  He is above all others  You need toObey his will 2. All are seen as equal in the eyes of God  looking out for each other (weak or needy)  Ideas are radical to polytheistic Arabs.

Flight from Mecca  Muhammad not accepted in Mecca  Islamic community threatens tribal leaders  He challenged polytheism  622 ad he traveled to Medina where he developed his teachings.  630 he returns to Mecca.  Muhammad not accepted in Mecca  Islamic community threatens tribal leaders  He challenged polytheism  622 ad he traveled to Medina where he developed his teachings.  630 he returns to Mecca.

Successor for Muhammad  Muhammad’s death caused a crisis.  Debate over who should take over.  Leaders who take over are named “Caliph”  Caliphs ruled according to Quran and Muhammad’s teachings.  Islam expands throughout the world.  Muhammad’s death caused a crisis.  Debate over who should take over.  Leaders who take over are named “Caliph”  Caliphs ruled according to Quran and Muhammad’s teachings.  Islam expands throughout the world.

Religious Beliefs of Muslims

5 Pillars of Islam  Confession of faith: “No god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger.”  Pray 5 times a day  Charity: give to poor  Fast: during Ramadan  Pilgrimage: travel to Mecca (Hajj)  Confession of faith: “No god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger.”  Pray 5 times a day  Charity: give to poor  Fast: during Ramadan  Pilgrimage: travel to Mecca (Hajj)

Islam at that Time!  Belief in jihad: die in battle for your faith and will go to paradise.  Created a legal system based on the interpretation of the Quran…creates a “Theocracy” or a government ruled by religion.  Belief in jihad: die in battle for your faith and will go to paradise.  Created a legal system based on the interpretation of the Quran…creates a “Theocracy” or a government ruled by religion.

Similarities between Christianity and Judaism  Muhammad’s God was the same god of the Christians and Jews.  Muhammad believed that God sends his message through prophets such as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.  Quran gives recognition to Jews, Christians, and other people with written scriptures called “People of the Book”  Muhammad’s God was the same god of the Christians and Jews.  Muhammad believed that God sends his message through prophets such as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.  Quran gives recognition to Jews, Christians, and other people with written scriptures called “People of the Book”