The Rise of Islam

Well… WHAT IS ISLAM? About 1/5 of the world’s people are Muslims Islam is the 2nd most widely followed religion in the world today The divisions between Islam branches continues to cause disagreement today It has given us cultural contributions as well Algebra! Well… WHAT IS ISLAM?

Pause in History Many of the things we have and will talk about are all going on at the same time We are “pausing history”

What is the Arabian Peninsula? Crossroads of 3 continents Africa, Europe, and Asia Good for land? Only a tiny strip of fertile land – the rest desert So what does Arabia need? Trade!

1. Why is Arabia’s location a good one for trade. 2 1. Why is Arabia’s location a good one for trade? 2. Why was the location of Mecca ideal for the spread of ideas?

Allah Allah = One God (in Arabic) Judaism and Christianity were practiced And now…570 A.D. Muhammad was born

Muhammad, Part I Heard the voice of the angel Gabriel Born into Meccan family Worked in the caravan trade when very young Heard the voice of the angel Gabriel Believed he was the last of the prophets

Muhammad, Part II Began to teach: Allah was the one and only God (monotheistic) Islam = “submission to the will of Allah” Muslim = “one who has submitted”

Muhammad, Part III Because of hostility, he left Mecca to go to Medina Became known as the “Hijrah” Became a huge political, religious, and military leader in Medina

The Culmination of it All Muhammad and 10,000 followers marched to outskirts of Mecca Mecca’s leaders surrendered Destroyed the idols in the “Ka’aba” and made a call to prayer from the roof Many pledged their loyalty and converted to Islam Muhammad died 3 years later

Ka’aba

Beliefs and Practices in Islam Only one God – Allah In order to be a Muslim, all believers have to carry out five duties “Five Pillars of Islam”

Faith Must testify to this statement of faith: “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

Prayer Muslims pray 5 times a day and face toward Mecca to pray May assemble at a mosque Islamic house of worship

Alms Giving money to the poor through a special religious tax All Muslims have a responsibility to support the less fortunate

Fasting During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast between dawn and sunset Ended Aug. 18 Simple meal is eaten at the end of the day Spiritual needs are greater than their physical needs

Pilgrimage All Muslims who are physically and financially able perform the “hajj” or pilgrimage to Mecca at least once Pilgrims wear identical garments so that all stand as equals before Allah

Qur’an (or Koran) Holy book for Islam Written in Arabic While Muhammad lived, his followers memorized and recited the revelations he received from Gabriel

Struggle for Power http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1592849,00.html “they agree on most of the important tenets of the faith, like the infallibility of the Koran, and they venerate the Prophet Muhammad.” “Sunnis and Shi'ites are fighting for a secular prize: political domination.”

Spread of islam

Muhammad’s dead…now what? Muslim community elected a loyal friend of Muhammad Abu-Bakr became the first caliph 4 “rightly guided” caliphs stretched the Muslim Empire 6,000 miles How did they get it so big? Ali was next in line But assassinated

Islam Split into two sections Sunni v. Shi’a What do you think they disagreed about? Who should be the next leader.