Unit 6: Islam & the Muslim Empire

Priority Objectives  6.H.2.1 Explain how invasions, conquests, and migrations affected various civilizations, societies, and regions.  6.H.2.3 Explain how innovation and/or technology transformed civilizations, societies and regions over time.  6.C&G.1.2 Summarize the ideas that shaped political thought in various civilizations, societies, and regions.  6.C.1.1 Analyze how cultural expressions reflected the values of civilizations, societies and regions.  6.C.1.2 Explain how religion transformed various societies, civilizations and regions.

Supporting Objectives  6.H.2.4 Explain the role that key historical figures and cultural groups had in transforming society.  6.G.1.4 Explain how and why civilizations, societies and regions have used, modified and adapted to their environments.  6.E.1.2 Explain how quality of life is impacted by economic choices of civilizations, societies and regions.  6.C&G.1.4 Compare the role and evolution of laws and legal systems in various civilizations, societies and regions.

1. GEOGRAPHY  What are the major physical features of the Arabian Peninsula and what challenges do they create for people living there?  How have people adapted to the conditions of the Arabian Peninsula in order to live there?

Major Physical Features  Red Sea  Persian Gulf  Arabian Sea  Deserts  Mountain Ranges  Oases  Characterized by isolation, a lack of water/irrigation, & difficult transportation

How People Adapted  In the desert small groups of nomads called bedouins moved their herds between oases.  Camels were used for travel & trade.  People were organized into tribes so there was always a support system  Merchants settled near oases b/c they were the centers of trade. Caravans often stopped at oases & they provided water for irrigation.

2. THE STORY OF ISLAM  Who was Muhammad & what is his importance to Islam?  What are the main tenets of Islam?  How did the religion of Islam change the culture of Mecca?

Who was Muhammad?  Born in AD 570  His parents died & he was raised by his uncle  Grew up & became a successful merchant in Mecca; always a reflective, religious man  In AD 610 he had a visit from an angel (Gabriel)-he was commanded to speak about the one God (Allah)  The undisputed leader of Islam during his life  Couldn’t read/write…recited all of his revelations

Muhammad’s Revelations  Allah was the one & only true God  Instructions on how people should live  Only told his wife first-after a few years he began to preach in public  Was disliked for his criticism of the traditional polytheism  Moved from Mecca to Medina for protection after his uncle’s death in AD622-Came back to Mecca in AD630

Islam Quick Facts  Islam: Means “Achieving peace through submission to God.”  Muslims: Followers of Islam  Mosque: Place of worship  Judgment Day: Final judgment of humanity by Allah  Kaaba: Built at the sacred spot where Hagar (Ishmael’s mom) prayed for water

The Five Pillars of Islam  These 5 acts of worship are central to Islam:  Profession of Faith  Five daily prayers  Giving of alms (being charitable)  Fasting  Make the pilgrimage to Mecca(if possible)

More Guidelines for Behavior  No pork  No alcohol  No murder, lying, or stealing  Jihad: Can refer to a “struggle for faith,” to converting people, or to holy war.

Sacred Texts and Practices  The Sunna is the body of traditional social and legal custom and practice of the Islamic community.  The Hadith is a collection of recorded sayings of the Prophet Muhammad.  The Qur’an is the sacred text of Islam; a collection of the revelations of Muhammad  Sharia is the legal system that reflects the various rules that Muslims are supposed to live by.

People of the Book  Jews, Muslims, & Christians are all, “people of the book” & technically all worship the same God  Prophets of other faiths are recognized as messengers too

Changing the Culture of Mecca  The polytheistic culture was based on idols housed in the Kaaba  Muhammad & his followers took over Mecca & dedicated the Kaaba to Allah

3. EXPANSION OF ISLAM  In what ways did Islam shape politics & the economy in Mecca & beyond?  How did a disagreement over leadership following Muhammad’s death affect Islam?  How did religious tolerance facilitate the expansion of the Muslim Empire?  How did trade play a role in the expansion of Islam & Muslim Empire?

Islam & Politics  Sharia-legal system, never has become standardized, not recorded in a single book, made up of opinions & writings over several centuries, Muslims over the world interpret the law differently  There is NO separation of church & state under Sharia

Islam After Muhammad  Muhammad died in 632  After his death there was a question of who would lead the religion  The title of caliph was given to those who led after Muhammad (literally means “successor”)  Abu Bakr (FIL) chosen to be 1st caliph  Then! The Umayyad clan; Sunnis; had converted reluctantly; built the Dome of the Rock  Then! Ali; began the Shia (party of Ali); Muhammad’s SIL; believed by some to be the “true heirs;” Ali’s heirs called “imam” (leader)  Then! The Abbasid clan; descendants of Muhammad’s uncle; also Sunni

Religious Tolerance & Islam  The religious intolerance, & weakness, of the Byzantine & Persian Empires caused people living under their rule to support Muslim invaders  Muslims were known to allow non-believers to continue their own practices & beliefs as long as they paid taxes

Trade & Islam  Religious tolerance of Muslims caused an increase in trade  Trade led to further expansion & increased wealth & the spread of Islam

4. CULTURAL ACHIEVEMENTS  What are the cultural achievements of the Islamic Empire & how did they reflect Islamic beliefs?

Fields of Achievement  Astronomy-Observatories for watching the sky were built, created a revised catalog of stars & a new calendar, created astrolabe  Cartography-Accurately measured earth’s circumference  Medicine-Many highly skilled doctors  Literature-Ibn Khaldun wrote a history of the world.  Architecture-Distinctive patterns (minarets) developed  Calligraphy-Beautifully styled writing

Reflection of Beliefs  Islamic texts governed virtually every aspect of life (marriage, divorce, property ownership, etc.)  Advancements in many scientific fields illustrate the value placed on education/study of these disciplines from the earliest of times