Transcript The Rise of Islam

A. THE RISE OF ISLAM





In the 5th Century, warfare between the Byzantine and Persian
Empires interrupted trading routes to East Asia
Trade routes shifted to sea routes connecting India, Arabia and the
Red Sea
The city of Mecca became an important stop along the trade
routes
Islam developed in Mecca and spread throughout the world
Within 100 years Islam grew to control an area larger than the
Roman Empire
B. MOHAMMED





Islam was founded by Mohammed
Mohammed was a merchant and shepherd in Mecca
He often meditated in a cave near Mecca
On one occasion, Mohammed had a vision from the Angel Gabriel
who commanded him to convert the Arab tribes to believe in a
single God known as “Allah”
Mohammed and his ideals became very popular but was forced to
flee Mecca.
C. THE KAABA, FLEEING MECCA


The Kaaba was a temple
filled with pagan idols,
which people travelled to
Mecca to worship at.
Mohammed was spreading
a monotheistic religion and
preaching against pagan
idol worship. Merchants
made their money off of
these religious pilgrimages
and were threatened by his
growing influence.
D. MOHAMMED: THE PROPHET OF ISLAM



Muhammed fled Mecca to Medina,
where he gained a larger following
This event is known as Hijrah, and is
the starting point of the Muslim
Calendar
Mohammed returned to Mecca a few
years later with an army to conquer
Mecca, in what has become known
as Jihad (Holy War)
E. THE QURAN
The Quran is the sacred text of Islam
 Muslims believe it records the word of
God revealed to Mohammed by
Gabriel.
 It discusses forms of worship, proper
conduct and the treatment of women
 The fundamental doctrine of the
Quran:


“There is no God but Allah and
Mohammed is his prophet.”
F. THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
Muslims worship God directly without the
intercession of a Priest or clergy
 The Five Pillars of Islam make up the basic
religious duties that all Muslims must fulfill

 Declaration
of faith in one God
 Prayer- 5 times daily, facing toward Mecca
 Charity
 Fasting during the month of Ramadan
 Hajj- Pilgrimage to Mecca
G. SPREAD OF ISLAM




Islam united various Arab tribes with the common language of
Arabic
Strengthened by their newfound unity, they set out on a holy war
against non-believers
They fought with great enthusiasm to gain entry in to Heaven.
Arab Muslims succeeded in creating a vast empire that extended
from the Indus River Valley into Europe as far west as Spain
SPREAD OF ISLAM
Began in Mecca (Saudi Arabia)
 Spread through trade routes and holy wars
against non-believers

 Spread
to the African Empires through the salt and
gold trading routes

Muslim empire eventually extended from the
Indus River Valley as far west as Spain, and
down into the early African Empires
H. RE-CAP:

Mohammed




Merchant & Shepherd from
Mecca
Had a vision from God to convert
the Arab tribes to believe in a
single God “Allah”
Fled Mecca in fear of his life in
622 (known as Hijra)
Returned with an army in 632 to
retake Mecca (known as Jihad or
“holy war”)

Beliefs




There is no God but Allah
(Monotheistic)
Mohammed is a prophet
from God
The Quran is the sacred
text
The Five Pillars of Islam
Faith in one God
 Prayer
 Charity
 Fasting
 Pilgrimage

THE SPREAD OF ISLAM
A. EARLY CALIPHS


Abu Bakr- 1st caliph (successor to the prophet). Was one of
Muhammad’s oldest friends, brought Arabic tribes together and
expanded influence northward.
Umar- 2nd caliph. Further expanded influence, conquered
Persian empire.





Very tolerant to Christians and Jews, “people of the book”
Many could choose to accept Islam or simply pay extra taxes
Uthman- 3rd caliph, killed because he favored his own tribe
Ali- 4th caliph, supporters of Uthman thought Ali helped the
killers and war broke out. Assassinated
Mu’awiyah- 5th caliph, had supported Uthman and accused Ali
B. ISLAMIC COMMUNITY DIVIDES

Shi’ah Muslims- Followers of Ali, believed that only his
descendants (imams) should be caliphs. 10% of Muslim
population

Sunni Muslims- Most Muslims accepted Mu-awiyah as caliph.
Believe that agreement among Muslim people should settle
religious matters. Majority of Muslim population

Sufi Muslims- Muslim mystics, tried to live simple lives centered on
God.
C. TARIQ AND THE MOORS

Tariq- a Berber (North African Muslim)
general led Moorish army to Spain in
711 CE

Moors- The Muslims who made Spain
their home

Tried to take France but failed, continued
to rule parts of Spain for over 700 years
D. TURKS


Turks were nomadic groups from central Asia that converted to
Islam
Turks gradually took political power away from caliph, were led by
a Sultan


Eventually took Baghdad, expanded influence outward


Sultan- leader of the Turks who claimed to serve the caliph
Won lands as far away as north India
Eventually growth was slowed by outsiders


Lost control of cities to Christians in the Crusades
Mongols from the east destroyed Baghdad
E.

ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION
Trade very important
 Islam
began in Mecca, which was central to trade
between Asia, Africa, and Europe
 Muhammad was a merchant

Cultural diffusion
 Muslim
cities were centers of learning, particularly
for science and mathematics
 Knowledge was spread into Europe by Christian and
Jewish scholars
F.
SOCIETY
Quran guided religious and daily life
 Slavery was common, but the Quran encouraged
people to free their slaves
 Women were treated fairly and could control
property. Could refuse an arranged marriage
and could keep their own money and remarry if
divorced.

G.
EDUCATION
Students attended religious study groups at
mosques
 Advanced students attended school to study
science, math, and law

H.

THE SCIENCES
Lots of medical studies and advancements
 Surgical
procedures, treatment of smallpox and
other diseases, and discovery of medicines

Geography was important because of trade
 Maps
were improved- modified old Greek maps
 Created the astrolabe- calculate latitude based on
position of the stars

Math- Our number system is based on the
Arabic number system
I.

ART
Architecture
 Mosques,
palaces, libraries
served to show glory of Islam
 Mosques- Muslim houses of
worship
 Minaret-
Tower attached to the
outside of a mosque

Literature and poetry
 One
Thousand and One Nightsa collection of Muslims stories
and folk tales
 Sinbad
the Sailor, Aladdin, Ali
Baba and the Forty Thieves
 Preserved
literature
ancient Greek
 Otherwise
would have been lost