Muhammad ibn Abdullah 570 – 632 C.E. He was born in Mecca into a nomadic society. He was the last prophet. Around 610 C.E. he had a revelation that Allah was the only god and he would bring judgment upon the world. Muslim has a mixture of Judaism and Christianity. Muhammad often had many conflicts with the Arab elites because he condemned the idolatry other shrines promoted. The hijra was in 622 when Muhammad left Mecca to go to Medina. The hajj in 632 was the pilgrimage from Medina to Mecca.

Islam “Submission” to Allah Today Muslim conduct and law is based upon the interpretation of the Quran, hadith, and the sharia. In the 650s, Muhammad’s followers compiled his revelations in the Quran (recitations). The hadith is a collection of the deeds the prophet performed. The sharia is the Islamic holy law book, the Five Pillars, which offers guidance to the Muslims in behavior and conduct. Women started to gain more rights.

Five Pillars Muslims must acknowledge Allah as the only god and Muhammad as his prophet. They must pray to Allah while facing Mecca They must observe a fast during the daylight hours of the month of Ramadan They must contribute alms for relief of the weak and poor In honor of Muhammad’s visit to Mecca in 629 and 632, those who are physically and financially able must undertake the hajj and make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca.

Muslim Expansion Jihad requires that Muslims to struggle against ignorance and unbelief by spreading the world of Islam The message were simple. Muhammad was a charismatic leader. Religious tolerance.

Shia and Sunni Shia wanted Alli (Muhammad’s cousin) to become caliph when Muhammad died. Sunni wanted Abu Bakr (Muhammad’s close friend) to become caliph. Alli served as the fourth caliph briefly but was assassinated ( C.E.)

Umayyad Dynasty ( C.E.) After the assassination of Alli, the Umayyads, who were a prominent merchant clan, solved suggestion problems temporarily. They brought stability to the dar-al-Islam. Tightly centralized rule. They ruled as conquerors. Capital at Damascus, Syria. The favored Arabs over others. This brought public unrest. Those who were not Islam were taxed with the jizya. Decline due to their extremely luxurious living and inconsideration of the well fare of their people.

Abbasid Dynasty ( C.E) Abu al-abbas rejected Umayyad authority and defeated the Umayyad army in 750. They were far more cosmopolitan; they did not favor Arabs. It was not a conquering empire. Ulama “people with religious knowledge” Qadis “judges” High point was under Harun al-Rashid ( ) Decline due to civil war between Harun’s sons and public discontent.

Economy New crops (cotton, spinach, sugarcane…) Urban growth (due to increased agricultural production)  Delhi, Baghdad, Damascus… Agricultural experimentation (irrigation, fertilization, crop rotation…) Introduced paper, Arabian numerals to the world.

Trade Overland Trade  extended road networks and stability = increase in trade Camel caravans Caravanserais- inns offering lodging for caravan merchants Maritime Trade  compass from China, lateen sail (triangular) from South, astrolabe (calculate latitude) Banks Organization of Trade improve (no solo trading…)

Islam Sufis were devoted missionaries who emphasized emotional and spiritual devotion. Persian Influences on Islam Indian Influences on Islam Greek Influences on Islam