1. The Origins and Spread of Islam
Chapter 7

2. To Get Us Thinking:
In Class Assignments notebook answer these questions:
What is Islam? What does the faith value?
What do Muslims believe? Whom do they worship and how?
Have Muslims had any positive contributions to the world?
There are many conceptions of Islam and Muslims. My goal is not to preach Islam or to espouse my views on Islam, but to simply teach their beliefs and impact on the world.
Our history is the history of the world, not just of western Europe. We do not focus on the history and impact of Islam because it is a minority religion in the United States. But, as we will see throughout this chapter, there are a lot of misconceptions of Islam.
Use as warmup for class 2 and 3

3. The Arabian Peninsula and Surrounding Lands
What do you know about the geography of the Arabian Peninsula?
What do you want to learn?
Have students open to pg. 49 of the workbook and complete the geography challenge

4. Important Islamic Places
Point out
Baghdad
Damascus
Jerusalem
Medina
Jeddah
Mecca
Aden
Use TCI Presentation and have students answer questions in class assignments

5. Introduction to Islam

6. Muhammad Born around 570 CE in Makkah (Mecca)
Leader and founder of Islam
The Story:
Centuries before Muhammad, God tested Abraham’s faith by ordering him to leave Hagar (his wife) and his infant son Ishmael in a desolate valley.
As they searched for water, a spring bubbled at the son’s feet
Abraham then built a house of worship called the Ka’bah
Start classes 2 and 3

7. Mecca
Prosperous city at the crossroads of great trade routes

8. Mecca
Many came to worship at the Ka’bah but were not monotheistic (believers/worshippers of one God)

9. Origin of Islam: An Overview
Muhammad was living in Meccah (again, a city with a lot of religions worshipping a lot of gods)
The angel Gabriel came to him in a vision and told him to start speaking the word of God (one, all supreme God)
The tribal ties of Muhammad began to grow and grow. He eventually would lead many followers and take Mecca as a religious capital
Islam would grow to control much of the Arabian peninsula much like an empire
Class 1 ended

10. Context of Islam
From previous classes, what do you remember about the area Islam would grow to control?
Much of the area was under Roman control until the 400’s. The Byzantine Empire would gain control of much of the area i

11. Mecca (Makkah) The prosperous hometown of Muhammad
Gained wealth as a center of trade
Overtime, families grew to control the city
These ruling families would not share fortune with weaker, poorer clans who lived there

12. Mecca Also a religious center
Most people at this time were polytheist- belief in more than one God
The Ka’bah- a cube-shaped shrine built by Abraham to honor God
Because Mecca was a religious center, the Ka’bah housed hundreds of statutes to different gods
----- Meeting Notes (9/9/15 14:57) -----
End class 3

13. Arab Life No central government in Arabia
again, after fall of the Roman Empire and before the “Islamic Empire”
Arabs pledged loyalty to their clans and to larger tribes
Which is why the colonial movement of the 19th and 20th centuries really messed things up
Clans and tribes would battle over resources
Territory
Animals
Goods
Water
Wives
If someone in your family was killed, you were honor-bound to avenge their death. This led to cyclical violence that would last a long time.

14. Arab Life
Although not united under a government, many tribes shared common cultural ties
It is helpful to understand this context to better understand the life of Muhammad

15. Muhammad’s Early Life 570- Muhammad born in Mecca His clan- the Hashim
Not very wealthy, but belonged to a leading tribe in Mecca
Sent to live with nomads in the desert
Learned Arab values (being kind to strangers, helping orphans and others that are needy)
Dad died before he was born, mom died when he returned to Mecca at age 6, grandpa (who was the leader of the clan) died
Begin Class 2

16. Muhammad
Abu Talib would adopted Muhammad and showed him the merchant ways
Would become merchant himself
People called him al-Amin (the Trustworthy)
Khadijiah- ran a trading business and used Muhammad to manage her caravans
The two married when Muhammad was 25
She was impressed with his honesty
Had a daughter named Fatima who would carry on Muhammad’s bloodline