Chapter 5, Lesson 1 A New Faith It Matters Because: Islam is one of the most widely- practiced religions in the world today. About 25% of people in the world are Muslims

I. Arabia Arabian Peninsula Islamic A. Arabian Peninsula is homeland of Arab people, and Islamic religion 1. Most of peninsula is desert, with scattered oases 2. Mountains and valleys in the southwest B. How do you believe this mainly desert climate affected Arab life? 1. Communities were isolated, but trade was important 2. Desert protected Arab culture from invasion by Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Rome

I. Arabia nomads C. Arabs were nomads, herded animals & lived in tents 1. Traveled from oasis to oasis D. Arab life could be violent and dangerous E. Formed tribes & competed for resources 1. Arab tribes raided and battled other tribes over land, water, and livestock 2. Arabs enjoyed camel & horse races, other tests of strength & skill that enhanced their prowess as warriors

II. Arabian Life A. By the 500s, Arabs had settled around oases or fertile valleys 1. Set up villages to farm and trade B. Merchants traveled from village to village caravans 1. Traveled in groups called caravans for protection from Arab raiders Caravan 2. Caravan - group of traveling merchants and animals

C. Towns began to spring up along trade routes Makkah (Mecca) D. Makkah (Mecca) became major crossroads of trade 1. Mecca also an important religious site 2. The Kaaba located in center of Mecca a. Low building surrounded by images of Arab gods and goddesses Allah b. Most important was Allah, creator god II. Arabian Life

III. Muhammad A. Trade routes in Arabian peninsula grew 1. Arab people were exposed to new cultures and challenges Muhammad B. Islam developed in Arabia in early 600s based on teachings of Muhammad 1. merchant, trader, & warrior troubled by greed of Mecca’s wealthy citizens 2. despised their dishonesty and disregard for the poor

C. In 610, according to tradition, Mhmd went to a cave to pray & received a vision Islam 1. A voice commanded him to preach Islam Islam Allah 2. Islam - surrender to the will of Allah D. Mhmd returned to Mecca, preached that only Allah should be worshipped 1. All were equal in Allah’s sight and rich should share with poor 2. Allah would reward the just and punish evildoers III. Muhammad

A. Mhmd won support of the poor, but the rich feared Mhmd was trying to destroy their wealth and authority B. In 622, Mhmd felt Mecca had become too dangerous and fled the city Yathrib 1. Settled in Yathrib, people there accepted Mhmd and his message 2. Mhmd made self ruler of Yathrib Medinahcity of the prophet 3. Yathrib renamed Medinah, the “city of the prophet”

IV. The Islamic State A.Mhmd was a skilled leader 1. Enacted laws he received from Allah to govern all areas of life 2. Used power as ruler to advance Islam 3. Required loyalty to Islamic state above families and tribes B. Formed an army, took Mecca, declared it a holy city C. Mhmd attacked and conquered the entire Arabian peninsula before his death in 632

V. Islamic Beliefs A.Like Jews and Christians: monotheists 1. Muslims are monotheists 2. Believe God gives laws and judges man prophets 3. Believe God speaks to man through prophets a. prophet a. prophet – a man who speaks for God Mhmd is the last and greatest of the prophets QuranHoly book is known as the Quran

VI. The Quran A. According to Muslim belief, Mhmd received messages from Allah for 20+ years B. Messages not written down until after Mhmd’s death Quran 1. Messages became the Quran – Islamic holy book C. The Quran teaches: 1. Honesty, fair treatment and kindness to neighbors 2. Respect to parents and elders

VII. The Five Pillars of Islam A. Islam stresses obedience to the will of Allah B. The Five Pillars of Islam: Belief 1. Belief –there is no god but Allah, and Mhmd is his messenger Prayer 2. Prayer – five times a day Charity 3. Charity – giving 2.5% of one’s wealth to the poor; doing acts of charity if one cannot give Fasting 4. Fasting – during the month of Ramadan 5. Pilgrimage hajj 5. Pilgrimage – known as the hajj; all Muslims must journey to Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime

VIII. Shari’ah Law shari’ah A.Over centuries, Islamic scholars created the shari’ah code of law 1. Based on the Quran 2. Muslims may not gamble, eat pork, drink alcohol