UNIT III THE RISE OF ISLAM

MUHAMMAD THE PROFIT From Mecca in modern day Saudi Arabia Muhammad was a middle aged merchant who claimed the Angel Gabriel asked him to recite the word of God. As a Merchant, Muhammad had exposure to the ideas of Judaism and Christianity. Maybe even Persians

MUHAMMAD TAKES POLITICAL POWER Mecca was already a popular pilgrimage site Muhammad was kicked out because Islam threatened the pilgrimage. Muhammad and his followers went to Medina Prayer switches from Jerusalem to Mecca Muhammad became a political and military leader. 630 CE Muhammad takes back Mecca

THE SPREAD OF ISLAM Abu Bakr, Muhammad's successor began attacking the Byzantine Empire and recording the Qur'an. A vast empire grew out of the principals of Islam in just 200 years. Muhammad's successors relentlessly spread the religion through military conquest.

THE RAPID SPREAD OF ISLAM

QUIZ 1.Did Islam spread to Europe? 2.Who asked Muhammad to spread the word of god? 3. Which city did Muhammad travel to after leaving Mecca? 4.Was Muhammad a military leader? 5.Who was Muhammad’s successor?

BASIC BELIEFS Conquered people do not have to convert, only pay a larger tax. Followers of Judaism and Christianity are specifically mentioned in the Qur’an as “people of the book” Five Pillars of Islam 1. Shahadah- declaring there is no god except God (Allah), and Muhammad is God’s messenger 2. Salat- Prayer five times a day 3. Zekat- Giving 2.5% of one’s savings to the poor 4. Sawm- Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan 5. Hajj- Pilgrimage to Mecca

THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

BASIC BELIEFS Guiding text: The Qur'an Absolute Monotheism Taking care of those less fortunate than you Hadiths ; a collection of sayings and stories about the profit Muhammad A believer in Islam is part of the Uma or community of believers Islam becomes a restoration religion Muslims believe the Monotheisms before Muhammad had strayed from purity. Muslims believe Mohamed was the last profit sent by God.

SHIA- SUNNI SPLIT Root of split goes back to Muhammad's first successor Abu Bakr, Muhammad's father-in-law became the first Caliph. Many wanted his son-in-law, Ali to take over. Shia Muslims believe the Caliph should be a descendent of Muhammad. Caliph means “successor” Meaning Abu Bakr was a “successor” to the prophet

MODERN SHIA- SUNNI DIVIDE Today Shia Muslims make up 16% of the Islamic population

THE ISLAMIC SPLIT HAS SERIOUS RAMIFICATIONS TODAY

BAGDAD: THE CENTER OF LEARNING The Abbasid Caliphate ( CE) became the center for learning. The Persian ruling class moved the capital to Baghdad. Baghdad became the center of learning. Large library held the work of Greek philosophers, Greek scientist, and Buddhist and Hindu text Openness to foreigners and their ideas Possibly largest blending of cultures since Hellenistic times Brought to an end by the Mongols

IBN SINA ( CE) Often known by Latin name Avicenna Gained great advances in the field of medicine Created the Canon of Medicine Became the standard medical text book for centuries

HOW’S THIS FOR A VACATION?

IBN BATTUTA ( CE) Moroccan explorer Traveled the known Muslim world Recorded his travels in the Rihla (translated to “Journey”) Helped link Africa to the Islamic World The most well traveled man to date

THE ABRAHAMIC TRADITIONS Judaism est. around 1000 BCE Christianity est. around 40 CE Islam est. around 600 CE

WHAT DO THE ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS ALL HAVE IN COMMON? All three use a religious text that provide guidelines for ethical and moral behaviors as well as how to govern believers. Judaism- Torah Christians- The Bible Islam- The Qur'an All three recognize Abraham, Mosses and other figures from the Old Testament as important religious figures. All three believe in fundamental monotheism. All three originated in the same region, and claim several of the same cities as religious holy sites.

JERUSALEM

FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCES IN THE ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS Judaism Judaism does not actively seek converts and the religion is associated with a group of people. Christianity Christians believe Jesus was the son of God (or Messiah) Catholic leaders must remain unmarried. Islam Islam is the newest and only Abrahamic tradition to reference the other two in the holy text.

MODERN DISTRIBUTION

OVER HALF THE WORLD PRACTICES AN ABRAHAMIC RELIGION