The Rise and Spread of Islam

Rise of Islam The religion of Islam, whose followers are called Muslims, began in the Arabian Peninsula. This area is mostly desert, yet it was home to many Arabic nomadic tribes, called Bedouins. The Bedouins moved in search of pasturelands for their camels and sheep. Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was born in Mecca around 570 AD. Mecca was a bustling market town. It was also the home of the Kaaba, an ancient temple that housed statues of pagan gods and goddesses. Muhammad lived and worked in Mecca as a shepherd and later a merchant before becoming a prophet.

Muhammad Becomes Prophet Muhammad was troubled by the lack of morals within Meccan society – especially greed. According to Muslim belief, he went to a cave to meditate and heard the voice of the angel Gabriel calling him to be the messenger of god. Muhammad devoted his life to spreading Islam and urged Arabs to give up their worship of pagan gods and worship one god, Allah. In 622, facing the threat of murder, Muhammad and his followers left Mecca for Yathrib, a journey known as Hijra. Hijra was a turning point for Islam because Muhammad was welcomed and many people converted to Islam. In 630, Muhammad returned to Mecca, rededicated the Kaaba to Allah, and united the Arabs under Islam.

Teachings of Islam Today, Islam is one of the major monotheistic (belief in one god) religions in the world!! The Quran, the sacred text of Islam, teaches that God (Allah) is all powerful and compassionate. Muslims believe that God had other prophets including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, but that Muhammad was the last and greatest prophet. All Muslims follow 5 basic duties, called the Five Pillars of Islam: #1 Declaration of Faith #2 Daily Prayer (5 times each day at a Mosque) #3 Alms for the Poor #4 Fast During Ramadan #5 Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) Another duty is the Jihad, or struggle in God’s service. Sometimes, the jihad is also interpreted as a holy war – like the Crusades.

At Prayer Mosque in Dearborn, Michigan Haram Sharif Grand Mosque, Mecca Pilgrimage to Kaaba in Mecca

A Way of Life Islam is both a religion and way of life. Islamic law governs daily life, and Muslim traditions determine ethical behavior and influence family relations. Over time the Muslims developed a code of laws called the Sharia. The Sharia regulates moral conduct, family life, business practices, government, etc. Islam extended rights and protection to women by making all Muslims equal. Although Muslims are spiritually equal, men and women have very different roles. For example, women had a more difficult time getting a divorce and have to dress modestly (wearing a Hijab).

Building a Muslim Empire The death of Muhammad in 632 plunged his followers into grief. Muhammad had not named a successor and this led to divisions within Islam.. After a rocky start, Abu Bakr successfully united the Arab tribes under Islam. Under the first 4 caliphs, the Muslims conquered two great empires, the Byzantine and Persian Empires. Eventually, Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s father-in-law, became the first caliph, or successor to Muhammad. Shiites Believed that Muhammad’s successor should be his son-in-law Ali. They called these descendants Imams. Sunnis Believed that Muhammad’s successor, or caliph, should be a “good” Muslim from Muhammad’s tribe – today 90% of Muslims are Sunni.

The Muslim Empire Expands The Umayyad Caliphate, a dynasty of Sunni caliphs, ruled the Muslim Empire from its capital at Damascus until 750. The Umayyad Caliphate successfully expanded the Muslim Empire by using effective fighting methods (camel cavalry), establishing an orderly government, and treating conquered people fairly. The Muslim Empire expanded as a result of conquests under the 4 Caliphs, the Umayyad, and Abbasid caliphates. The Umayyads also allowed Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians to practice their faith freely. Overtime, many of these people converted to Islam, which helped spread the religion. Under the Abbasid dynasty, the empire reached its greatest wealth and power, and Muslim civilization flourished. Poets, scholars, philosophers, and entertainers from all over the world came to Baghdad.

Muslim Empire Declines Beginning in 850, The Abbasid empire became fragmented into many small states, which made them weak. Then a series of invasions destroyed the empire. First, the Seljuk Turks invaded the Middle East and adopted Islam. By 1055, the Seljuk Turks had taken control of Baghdad and pushed into the Byzantine Empire. The fighting between the Seljuk Turks and Byzantines prevented Christian pilgrims from travelling to Jerusalem, leading Pope Urban II to call for the First Crusade (holy wars between Christians and Muslims). Finally in 1216, Ghengis Khan led the Mongols out of Asia. His grandson burned and looted Baghdad killing the last Abbasid Caliph.

The Mosque at Ground Zero Your letter must be in proper letter format and provide the following information: The Islamic Faith (1 paragraph) - Who began the religion? - What are the key beliefs? - How did the religion spread? American Muslims (1 paragraph) - How many Americans are Muslim? - Other Key facts about Muslims in America (from article) Your View on the Mosque at Ground Zero (1 paragraph) - Provide at least 3 facts to support your argument for or against the Mosque I will be mailing these letters to our Senators – so let’s impress them with our knowledge!! After reading the article Islam: Not in my Backyard?, you will write a letter to our state Senators Richard Burr and Kay Hagan regarding your feelings surrounding the Mosque near Ground Zero.