Trivia Fun Times!!!!!! What are the polytheistic societies we have studied? What does universal mean? How could this relate to religion? How did Christianity spread? Back in Jan , what holiday was first observed? Jan this second man on moon was born?
The Rise of Islam
Pre-Islamic Arabia Arabs – nomadic people (Bedouins) Lived on the Arabian Peninsula Farmers and sheepherders Independent tribes ruled by Sheikhs Polytheistic
The Prophet Muhammad Born in Mecca around 570 CE Orphaned son of wealthy merchants Raised by wealthy uncle and grandfather Receives revelations from angel Gabriel Told there is only one god Allah (Arabic for “God”) Meccan leaders are threatened by Muhammad Flees Mecca Hegira (Arabic for “flight”) Goes to Medina (“city of the prophet”) Attracts many followers to his new religion Fights against Meccans, defeats them in 622 CE
Islam: Means “submission” to the will of Allah Monotheistic Qur’an Islam’s holy book God’s words spoken to Muhammad Written in Arabic (translations are not considered legit) Basis for Shari’ah Law The Five Pillars Profession of Faith Prayer – 5 times daily Alms – charity to the needy Fasting – during Ramadan Pilgrimage (Hajj)
Why did Islam Spread? Trade: Routes through the Arabian Peninsula were safer Mesopotamia was politically unstable Dangerous to travel through Arabs domesticated the camel Mecca became a major center of trade Conquest Universal appeal
Divisions in Islam Split derives from leadership Shia – Leaders should be from Muhammad’s family Sunni – Leaders must be Muslim but not necessarily from Muhammad’s family Sufi – form of Islamic Mysticism