1. Background Introduction to Early Islam

2. Geographic Context - 6 th C Middle East

3. Close- up - Arabia c. 600 CE

4. Situation in Arabia, c. 600  Semi-civilized, semi-nomad peripheral area to more advanced urban Byzantine & Persian civilizations  Traditional Arabia culture: male-led, clan- centered, polytheist  Clans = excellent camel-mounted warriors & traders; good contact with border civilizations’ ideas, technologies

5. Muhammad’s Arabian Origins  Born c. 570, to parents from minor clan of Quraysh tribe that dominates Mecca, runs desert caravans  Raised by grandfather & then uncle because father died before his birth – both men strong in disappearing desert codes of behavior  Became caravan trader; travels took him to Syrian cities (sees Christianity & Judaism)  At about age 25 married Khadija, a wealthy, greatly respected Mecca widow  Khadija & Muhammad have children but only girls survived

6. Muhammad’s 1st Revelation  610 Muhammad has 1 st vision  Angel Gabriel tells Muhammad he is God’s Final Messenger, given final, correct version of earlier, now flawed, revelations (including Jewish & Christian)  Crux of Message: Allah (God) is all powerful; there is a heaven & hell, Allah wants humankind to worship him and live ethical, moral lives Persian Miniature: Muhammad & Gabriel

7. Qur’an Leaf, Recording One of Muhammad’s Revelations from God

8. Following Slides - Islamic Empire 632-1000

9. Islam 632 Don’t click again to advance another slide until automatic advance shows 1000 CE

10. Islam 634

11. Islam 661

12. Islam 661 - 750

13. Islam 778 – c. 900

14. Islam 935

15. Islam c. 1000 Start clicking again to advance rest of presentation’s slides

16. Islamic World as of 1500

17. Islamic Civilization & Society

18. Mosque Architecture Shows Widespread Islamic Dominance, Regional Vitality

19. Islamic Learning Flourishes  Preserves, builds on Greek, Roman learning & ideas  Develops mathematics, science, medicine (building on Indian numerals, Central Asian and other astronomy, etc)

20. Islamic learning Astronomy teacher “Arabic” numbers Madrasah (“University”) Ibn Rushd Great Philosopher