1. The Muslim World and Africa (730 B.C.-A.D. 1500)
Lesson 1 The Origins of Islam

2. The Muslim World and Africa (730 B.C.-A.D. 1500)
Lesson 1 The Origins of Islam
Learning Objectives
Understand how Muhammad spread Islam.
Describe the central ideas of Islam.
Explain how Islam helped shape the way of life of its believers.

3. The Muslim World and Africa (730 B.C.-A.D. 1500)
Lesson 1 The Origins of Islam
Key Terms
Bedouins
Muhammad,
Mecca
Kaaba,
Yathrib,
hijra
Medina,
Quran
mosques.
hajj,
Sharia,

4. Muhammad and Early Islam
The religion of Islam, whose followers are called Muslims, emerged in the Arabian Peninsula. This region of southwestern Asia is mostly desert, yet it was home to many Arab tribes in the A.D. 500s. Nomadic herders called Bedouins (BED oo inz) moved through the desert to reach seasonal pasturelands for their camels, goats, and sheep. Competition for water and grazing land often led to warfare. Bedouins also traded with settled Arab tribes in oasis towns and protected the caravan trading routes.

5. Muhammad and Early Islam
Muhammad’s Early Life
Muhammad the Messenger
The Hijra: From Mecca to Medina
Return to Mecca

6. Muhammad and Early Islam
The oasis of Mecca was an important religious site with a major temple dedicated to pagan gods and goddesses. Its religious significance helped make it a thriving merchant center.

7. Teachings of Islam
Like Judaism and Christianity, Islam is monotheistic, based on belief in one God. The Quran (koo RAHN), the sacred text of Islam, teaches that God is all-powerful and compassionate. It also states that people are responsible for their own actions. Islam does not require priests to mediate between the people and God. Muslims believe that God had sent other prophets, including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, but that Muhammad was the last and greatest prophet.

8. Teachings of Islam The Quran The Five Pillars of Islam
“People of the Book”

9. Teachings of Islam
The Quran contains 114 suras, or chapters. This page shows a portion of the Cave Sura, named after its story about God protecting persecuted people by causing them to sleep safely in a cave.

10. Islam as a Way of Life
Islam is both a religion and a way of life. Its teachings shape the lives of Muslims around the world. Islamic law governs daily life, and Muslim traditions determine ethical behavior and influence family relations.

11. Islam as a Way of Life Islamic Law Women in Early Muslim Society
Islamic Practices Change

12. Islam as a Way of Life
Like the Quran and the Arabic language, Islamic law also served as a unifying element for many of the empire’s Muslims. There are many ornate stone carvings in the Mahakma Law Courts, home to the Islamic law courts in Morocco.

13. Quiz: Muhammad and Early Islam
What event led Muhammad to undertake the hijra from Mecca to Medina?
A. Muhammad believed that he received a message from God telling him to do so.
B. Muhammad faced threats on his life in Mecca.
C. Muhammad wanted to build a Kaaba in Medina.
D. Many Muslims already lived in Medina.

14. Quiz: Teachings of Islam
The Five Pillars of Islam are central to the religion of Islam because they
A. are requirements that all “People of the Book” must follow.
B. are a way of showing increased status in the Muslim community.
C. make up the complete sacred text for believers in Islam
D. are the most important requirements for practicing the Islamic faith.

15. Quiz: Islam as a Way of Life
The best place for Muslims to find guidelines for solving legal issues is
A. the Five Pillars.
B. any holy text.
C. Sharia.
D. the Quran.