The Muslim World

Origins of Islam Arabian Peninsula (present-day Saudi Arabia) The cities of Mecca and Medina Based on the monotheism of Abraham.

The Founder of Islam Artist depiction Muhammad Muhammad had a vision that an angel came to him and told him that there was only one god “Allah”. He spread his monotheistic message in Mecca (at first). He is known as “The (last and greatest) Prophet”

Mecca Pilgrimage centerBirthplace of Islam Muhammad was driven from Mecca, and fled to Medina. After years of fighting, he returned to Mecca and destroyed the idols at the Kaaba.

Kaaba Muslims believe that this shrine was built by the prophet Abraham.

Medina Muhammad migrated to Medina and attracted a large devoted following. He became a religious, political and military leader.

Beliefs of Islam One God: “Allah” Five pillars Quran Judeo-Christian prophets: Abraham, Moses and Jesus Allah in Arabic

Five Pillars of Islam Declaration of Faith: One God Daily Prayer Alms (charity) to the Poor Fasting during Ramadan Pilgrimage (holy journey) to Mecca to visit the Kaaba (Hajj) FAPPO

Daily Prayer five times a day- facing Mecca

Alms for the Poor Charity in the form of religious tax

Fasting During the month of Ramadan no food or drink is taken from sunrise to sunset.

Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca (if able) at least once during a person’s lifetime.

Quran The Quran (Koran) is the holy book of Islam: Muslims believe it perfects the earlier revelations from God (in the Bible)

Islam Spreads At first, Islam spread along trade routes from Mecca and Medina Muslims believed they had a duty to spread their religion and began to build an empire.

Islam Spreads As the Muslim Empire grew, Islam spread into Fertile Crescent, Iran and Egypt, including the cities of Jerusalem and Damascus. The Byzantine and Persian Empires were weak.

Islam Spreads Finally it spread into Central Asia, across Northern Africa and into Spain (Green areas) The Muslim empire grew quickly despite great distances, deserts, and mountain barriers.

Damascus Under the Umayadd dynasty the capital of the Muslim Empire was moved far from Mecca to Damascus (in Syria) in order to better control distant territories.

Sunni – Shi’a Division This split in Islamic religion was caused by disagreement over succession (choosing the next caliph) The two sects (branches)of Islam have a long history of tension and rivalry.

Sunni Muslims The Sunni believed that all of the first four caliphs (religious and political leaders), were the rightful successors of the Prophet Muhammed. The vast majority of Muslims belong to the Sunni sect.

Shi’a Muslims Shi’a believed the caliph should be a relative of Muhammad (descendant of Ali –the 4 th Caliph). Shi’a Islam is the state religion of present-day Iran and the majority religion in Iraq and Lebanon.

Battle of Tours A battle between the Muslims and the Franks (a Germanic tribe) which took place in Tours (in present- day France) The Franks won and stopped the Muslims from advancing beyond (present- day) Spain and further into Western Europe.

Baghdad Under the Abassid’s, the capital of the Islamic Empire was moved to Baghdad (present-day Iraq), due to its location at the point where the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers almost meet.

Baghdad This location provided access to key trade routes which gave the caliph access to trade goods, gold, and information about the Empire.

Muslim Empire The Muslim Empire did not stay politically united. The empire began to split up into independent Muslim states – but Muslims remained unified by a common religion, language, and trade.

Crusades In 1096 Western Europeans launched a crusade (holy war) to reclaim Jerusalem and the holy lands.

Crusades In 1099, Crusaders captured Jerusalem and massacred its Muslim and Jewish inhabitants.

Saladin In 1187, Saladin, a Muslim ruler retook Jerusalem and Damascus from Christian Crusaders.

Ottoman Turks The Ottoman Turks were nomads who converted to Islam and conquered what remained of the Byzantine Empire in Constantinople (present-day Istanbul) became capital of the Ottoman Empire.

Islam Today In the High Middle Ages Islam spread further into Central Asia, Southeast Asia and West Africa. Today Islam is the dominant religion in the Middle East, North Africa, and Indonesia

Cultural Achievements Architecture Mosaics Arabic alphabet Universities Translation of ancient texts into Arabic

Dome of the Rock The earliest surviving Muslim mosque (house of worship) Built on a site in Jerusalem holy to Muslims and Jews.

Mosaics Pictures made up of bits of stone and glass. Muslims used geometric designs because they were not permitted to picture holy beings

Arabic Language The Arabic language spread with Islam and facilitated trade across Islamic lands Ancient Greek and Roman texts were translated into Arabic.

Muslim Universities Al Azhar university mosque, Cairo Centers of learning for Christian Europeans as well as Muslims during the middle ages

Other Contributions Arabic numerals (adapted from India) Algebra Medicine Letters of credit (checks) Geographic knowledge

Arabic Numerals Improved trade Also called Hindu-Arabic numbers

Muslim Medicine Far more advanced than in Europe. First true hospitals. al Razi

Lateen Sail Arab traders crossed the Indian Ocean in ships with lateen sails which enabled them to sail closer to the wind. By the tenth century, this technology reached Europe from the Middle East.

Slavery Slavery was commonplace in many Muslim areas until modern times. Slavery was not based on race.

Baghdad This location provided access to key trade routes which gave the caliph access to trade goods, gold, and information about the Empire.

Muhammad had a vision that an angel came to him and told him that there was only one god “Allah”. He spread his monotheistic message in Mecca (at first). He is known as “The (last and greatest) Prophet”