1. Origins of Islam

3. Arabia Before Islam Harsh Environment No permanent rivers
Rub’ al-Khali Desert covers much of the peninsula
Difficult climate limited population
People depended on oasis
Many people live in S.W. corner
Peninsula is surrounded by water
Sailors crossed the seas to trade with E. Africa

4. Living in Arabia Arabs Sedentary- settled Nomads-no fixed home
Known as Bedouins
Belong to tribes
Worshiped gods and spirits
Herded sheep, goats, camels
Traveled from Oasis to oasis
Skilled warriors
Sedentary- settled
Belong to tribes
Worshiped gods and spirits
Lived as farmers and merchants
Set up shop in oasis towns along Arabia’s main trade route
Trade brought wealth and attracted settlers
Mecca became a trading center
Muhammad born in Mecca around 570
First person to preach religion of islam

5. The Rise of Islam
Muslims= practice Islam, and believe Muhammad was the prophet of their religion (the messenger of God)
Mecca
Was a religious center before Muhammad
Kaaba- shrine where Arabs came to worship their gods

6. Muhammad’s Early Life Critical of Meccan society
Saw greed corruption and violence
Muslims believe that one night in 610 the angel Gabriel appeared before Muhammad in
Muslims believe that Gabriel brought more message from God
Muhammad passed on those message
Later message were written down in Quran (Islam’s holy book)

7. Preaching a new message
Muhammad began to preach on the streets of Mecca
Told Arabs to worship only one god and to change many behaviors
The Hijra (migration)
622 Muhammad and his followers fled Mecca
Moved to Medina
Muhammad became the political and military leader
Muhammad defeated Mecca
630 returned to Mecca and banned worship of old religion
Kabba became place for Muslim pilgrimage
Quickly Muslims united most of Arabia
Continued to expand their rule across SW Asia and other parts of the world after Muhammad’s death