2. The Origins of Islam Preview Starting Points Map: Arabia
Main Idea / Reading Focus
The Arabian Peninsula
Muhammad the Messenger
Map: Islam in Arabia
Basic Ideas of Islam

3. Click the icon to play Listen to History audio.
Click the icon below to connect to the Interactive Maps.

4. The Origins of Islam Main Idea Reading Focus
Muhammad, a merchant whom Muslims believe was the last prophet, reported that he received messages from God. The religion he taught—Islam—drew many followers.
Reading Focus
What was Arabia like at the time of Muhammad’s birth?
What were Muhammad’s messages, and how were they received?
What are some basic ideas of Islam?

5. The Arabian Peninsula The Setting Religious Function
Arabia was sparsely populated 1,500 years ago. Small bands of bedouins moved their herds between scattered oases in the desert.
Farming limited in Arabia
Commerce lively
Trade routes converged at Arabian Peninsula
Ideas as well as merchandise exchanged
Trade-dependent towns rose near coasts
Mecca, near Red Sea, most important of coastal towns
The Setting
The Kaaba, cube-shaped structure, at heart of Mecca
500s, already ancient, considered sacred
Possible meteorite built into one wall, “relic from heaven”
Idols of local gods inside
Site drew religious pilgrims
One god considered supreme: Allah
Religious Function

6. Muhammad the Messenger
Muhammad ibn Abd Allah born 570
Parents died, Muhammad raised by uncle, powerful clan leader
Grew up to have successful career in Mecca as merchant
Married to older woman at age 25, fathered seven children, all but one of whom died young
Met followers of Judaism, Christianity while traveling on business
Early Life
Had always been religious man, but faiths of others probably also influenced Muhammad’s thinking
Took frequent spiritual retreats
Angel appeared to him during retreat, commanded him to speak messages from Allah
Muhammad disturbed by visitation, unsure of meaning
After more visits from angel, Muhammad concluded God had chosen him to be prophet
Muhammad’s Faith

7. The Revelations Messages Public Preaching Safety
Among many messages from angel, Muhammad reported Allah one and only true and all-powerful God
Other messages, instructions on how to live to please Allah, live in paradise
Public Preaching
Muhammad originally told only wife, few friends about experiences
Began to preach in public after about three years, attracted many followers
Some powerful Meccans did not accept teachings
Safety
Many disliked Muhammad’s criticism of traditional beliefs in many gods
Only protection of uncle kept him safe
After uncle’s death Muhammad knew he and followers not safe in Mecca

8. Sharing the Revelations
Hegira
622, Muhammad moved to Yathrib, came to be called Medina, “the Prophet’s City”; journey from Mecca to Medina came to be known as hegira
Later Muslims marked year of hegira as first year of Islamic calendar
Building Faith
Muhammad spent decade building community of fellow believers
Called faith Islam, meaning “achieving peace through submission to God”
Followers known as Muslims
Mecca
People of Mecca who wanted Muhammad stopped did not give up
Fought several battles with Muhammad, followers, ultimately lost ground
630, Muhammad controlled Mecca, influence unmatched

10. What events led up to Muhammad’s taking control of Mecca?
Sequence
What events led up to Muhammad’s taking control of Mecca?
Answer(s): Muhammad moved to Medina, number of followers grew; Meccans fought him and his followers but lost

11. Basic Ideas of Islam Qur’an Five Pillars of Islam
As Muhammad gained political power, revelations continued
Muhammad could not read, write; recited revelations
Followers memorized words, some wrote them down
Writings Muslims believe as direct revelations from God collected in Qur’an, sacred test of Islam
Muslims read from Qur’an to hear Allah’s teachings
Seek religious experience in rhythm, beauty of words
Full meaning known only in original Arabic language
Translations not true representation
Qur’an
Five basic acts of worship central to Islam, Five Pillars of Islam
Profession of faith
Performance of five daily prayers
Giving of alms to poor, needy
Fasting during month of Ramadan
Make pilgrimage to Mecca
Five Pillars of Islam

12. Five Pillars of Islam Profession of Faith Five Daily Prayers
“There is no god but God…”
By affirmation, Muslim signals acceptance of the faith
Denies existence of other gods, accepts Muhammad as prophet
Five Daily Prayers
Worshippers say daily prayers five times during day
Always face Mecca to pray, no matter where they are
Giving Alms to Poor, Needy
Muslims supposed to give percentage of income to charity
Even those with little encouraged to help others
Fasting During Ramadan
Muslims required to go without food, drink, dawn to dusk
Ramadan when Muhammad began to report messages written down in Qur’an

13. Mecca Pilgrimage to Mecca
Muslims physically, financially able required to go to Mecca
Journey called the hajj
Gather to pray in mosque
Perform various rituals, walk seven times around Kaaba
Climb Mount Arafat, site of Muhammad’s last sermon

14. Guidelines for Behavior
Qur’an provides guidelines for moral behavior
Muslims may not eat pork, drink alcohol, must wash before praying
Qur’an prohibits murder, lying, stealing
Requires jihad, to defend Muslim community, also means “holy war”
Sunna and Sharia
Record of Muhammad’s behavior, teachings known as Sunna, “tradition,” provides guidance in personal relationships, business
Muslim legal system known as Sharia, reflects various rules by which Muslims should live, outlines method of reasoning, argument for legal cases, made up of opinions, writings over several centuries

15. People of the Book Islam monotheistic like Jewish, Christian faiths
Islamic beliefs:
Allah the same as God in Jewish, Christian traditions
Abraham, Moses, Jesus messengers from God
Muhammad, last of God’s prophets
Qur’an represents God’s final message
Muslims told to respect Jews, Christians as “people of the book;” share tradition of prophets who taught, received God’s revelations

16. What are the acts of worship required of all Muslims?
Summarize
What are the acts of worship required of all Muslims?
Answer(s): The Five Pillars of Islam—profession of faith, five daily prayers, giving of alms, fasting during Ramadan, and the hajj