THE RISE OF ISLAM The religion of Islam began with an ethnic group known as the Arabs… They arose in the Arabian Peninsula and influenced Western Asia and beyond. They arose in the Arabian Peninsula and influenced Western Asia and beyond. They were a nomadic, Semitic-speaking people who lived in the arid climate of the Arabian Peninsula. They were a nomadic, Semitic-speaking people who lived in the arid climate of the Arabian Peninsula. The environment was harsh and they were organized into tribes and were led by a sheikh, who was chosen from a council of elders. The environment was harsh and they were organized into tribes and were led by a sheikh, who was chosen from a council of elders. The tribes were independent, but worked together as a community. The tribes were independent, but worked together as a community.

EARLY RELIGION Before Islam, many Arabs were polytheistic. Others recognized a chief, or supreme, god who they called Allah which is Arabic for “God.” Allah was symbolized by a sacred stone, called the Black Stone, which is thought to be given to man by Allah at the creation of the world. This stone was placed as a corner stone of a shrine called the Kaaba. This shrine is located in the city of Makkah (Mecca) in what is now Saudi Arabia.

THE LIFE OF MUHAMMAD AND HIS REVELATION The founder of Islam was a man named Muhammad. He was born in Makkah (Mecca) to a merchant family. His parents died when he was young and he ended up living with his uncle who was a merchant and he became a caravan manager. Over time, he found the richness and corruption of the merchants and townspeople to be troubling. He decided to visit the hills to meditate. Muslims believe that while he was meditating in the hills he received revelations from God through the Angel Gabriel.

THE LIFE OF MUHAMMAD AND HIS REVELATION (CONT’D) Muslims believe that the Angel Gabriel told Muhammad to recite what he heard, it was believed that Allah had already revealed himself through Moses and Jesus, but now had a final revelation for man. This final revelation became the religion of Islam, which means “submission to the will of God.”

THE QURAN (KORAN) The revelations to Muhammad were written down by scribes and became known as The Quran (Koran), which is the holy book of Islam. The Quran contains ethical guidelines and laws by which Muslims (followers of Islam)should live their lives.

THE NATURE OF THE QURAN The Quran is written in Arabic, which was the language of Muhammad. The Quran is considered to only be true when it is written in its original language. Translations are thought to lose the true meaning of the original words which are believed to be a direct revelation from God. The Muslim observance of the holy holiday Ramadan is to commemorate the recording of the holy text.

AFTER THE REVELATION After Muhammad received his revelation he went to his wife, who was his first convert to the new religion. He began to try to convert the people of Makkah to his message, but he was unsuccessful. After three years he was forced to go to the city of Yathrib, which later became Medina. This flight, or migration, is known as the Hijrah and marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. This was in the year 622.

ACCEPTANCE IN MEDINA AND TAKE OVER OF MECCA In Yathrib, renamed Medina (which means “the city of the prophet”), Muhammad was accepted and gained followers. One of the groups which converted to the new religion of Islam were the Bedouins who were desert Arabs. This new community became the first to practice the religion. After several years, Muhammad became both a spiritual and political leader. There was not an idea of the separation of church and state. He raised an army and conquered the city of Makkah.

THE KAABA After Muhammad took the city of Makkah, he cleansed the Kaaba of idols and dedicated it to Allah, who he taught was the one true God. All Muslims are encouraged to make a pilgrimage to Makkah, known as the Hajj at least once in their life, if they are physically and financially able.

THE TEACHINGS OF MUHAMMAD Islam is monotheistic, just like Judaism and Christianity. There is only one God, Allah. Muslims believe that Islam was God’s final revelation for mankind. Muslims feel that in order to achieve salvation that they must obey the will of Allah. In order to do this they must follow the five major principles of Islam known as the Five Pillars of Islam. Islam is seen not just as a religion, but as a way of life.

THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM 1.) Declaration of Faith Muslims must state that there is no other God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet. Muslims must state that there is no other God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet. 2.) Daily Prayer Muslims must pray five times a day facing the Kaaba in Mecca: Muslims must pray five times a day facing the Kaaba in Mecca: Pre-Dawn Pre-Dawn Noon Noon Afternoon Afternoon Sunset Sunset Evening Evening

THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM 3.) Charity Muslims are supposed to help others and donate part of their income to charity. Muslims are supposed to help others and donate part of their income to charity. 4.) Fasting  Ramadan Muslims must fast from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan which celebrates the recording of the Quran. Muslims must fast from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan which celebrates the recording of the Quran. 5.) Pilgrimage or Hajj Once in a lifetime, if they are physically and financially able, Muslims are to journey to Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia and perform the rituals of the Hajj. Once in a lifetime, if they are physically and financially able, Muslims are to journey to Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia and perform the rituals of the Hajj.

ISLAMIC LAW After the death of Muhammad there were further interpretations of his teachings. These are known as the Hadith. There are different versions of the Hadith for different branches of Islam. These teachings were further interpreted in the Shari’ah. This is a set of laws which regulate many aspects of Muslim life. It does not separate between church and state and covers family life, business, government, and moral conduct. Muslims are expected to practice honesty and justice in dealing with others and are forbidden to gamble, eat pork, drink alcohol, or engage in dishonest behavior.

TERMS TO KNOW Quran (Koran): holy book of Islam Quran (Koran): holy book of Islam Muslim: a follower of Islam Muslim: a follower of Islam Mosque: a Muslim house of worship Mosque: a Muslim house of worship Minarets: the towers located on a Mosque from which Muslims are called to pray five times a day. Minarets: the towers located on a Mosque from which Muslims are called to pray five times a day.

LOCATIONS TO KNOW Red Sea Arabian Peninsula Mecca (Mekkah) Medina (Yathrib) Arabian Sea Persian Gulf Mediterranean Sea

THE DEATH OF MUHAMMAD After the death of Islam’s prophet and leader, Muhammad, unity was difficult to maintain. The friend and father-in-law of Muhammad, Abu Bakr, was chosen to be the first Caliph, or successor to Muhammad. Abu Bakr helped to unify the Muslim world and expanded in the rest of the Middle East and beyond. Under the idea of jihad, or “struggle in the way of God” the early Muslims expanded their territory. The believed that defensive warfare was permitted by the Quran.

THE EXPANSION OF ISLAMIC RULE The Arabs were now united and began to expand their territory instead of fighting one other. They defeated the Byzantine army in 636 taking the province of Syria. By 642, they took Egypt and by 650 they controlled the Second Persian Empire.

THE DEATH OF ABU BAKR AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE ISLAMIC EMPIRE After Abu Bakr died, there was conflict over who would be the next Caliph. The next two Caliphs after Abu Bakr were assassinated. Muhammad’s son-in-law, Ali, was appointed Caliph, but he was assassinated as well. Muslim leaders were very tolerant of the people that they conquered. Initially, both Christians and Jews were allowed to practice their religions, with some restrictions, because they were “People of the Book,” who had written scriptures revealed to them by God before the time of Muhammad. Those who chose not to convert had to be loyal to the Muslim state and pay a special tax.

THE UMAYYAD DYNASTY At the beginning of the eighth century, Islam had expanded across northern Africa and had converted the Berbers (a pastoral people along the Mediterranean coast) to the faith. By 710, the combined Berber and Arab forces crossed the Strait of Gibraltar into Spain and had taken most of the country by 725. In 732, however, the Muslim advance into Europe was halted at the Battle of Tours.

THE UMAYYAD DYNASTY (CONT’D) By 750, the Muslim advance came to an end. The southern and eastern Mediterranean and parts of the old Roman Empire were now Muslim territory. The Umayyad Dynasty was centered in Damascus, in modern-day Syria and was wealthy. This was also a very diverse empire as many different peoples had been conquered in new territory. The diversity helped lead to a split within the Islamic faith…

THE SPLIT IN ISLAM: THE SUNNI AND THE SHI’A (SHIITE) The Umayyad Empire experienced many problems. Many non-Arab Muslims resented the favoritism which the Umayyad Empire showed toward Arabs. The large empire was also too difficult to rule efficiently and there were financial problems as well. The grandson of Muhammad, Hussein, led a revolt against the Umayyad Empire in 680. His soldiers ended up betraying him and he was killed by an overwhelming Umayyad force. This struggle led to a split within the faith of Islam between Sunni and Shi’a (Shiite) Muslims. Sunni Muslims supported the Umayyad Dynasty. They believe the Caliph does not need to be a direct descendant of Muhammad. Shi’a (Shiite) Muslims supported Hussein and believe that the Caliph should be a direct descendant of Muhammad through his son-in-law Ali and his grandson.

UMAYYAD ARCHITECTURE: DOME OF THE ROCK A shrine and mosque in Jerusalem, Israel that was built on top of the ruins of the old Jewish temple. It is believed by Muslims to be the location where the prophet Muhammad ascended into heaven for a single night.

THE ABBASID DYNASTY Amidst growing resentment toward the Umayyad Dynasty Abu al-Abbas, a descendent of Muhammad’s uncle, overthrew the Umayyad Dynasty in 750 and established the Abbasid Dynasty (Caliphate). The Dynasty lasted until 1258 A.D. The Abbasids moved the capital of their empire to Baghdad, which is in modern day Iraq. This move increased Persian influence and changed Abbasid culture. Under this dynasty the new heroes were judges, merchants, and government officials. This dynasty did not favor Arab rule and the empire became more culturally diverse. The greatest of the caliphs of the dynasty. This is called the Golden Age of the Abbasid Dynasty. He was known for his charity and was a great supporter of culture and the arts. His son continued the tradition and supported the study of astronomy and began to translate classical Greek works into Arabic.

TRADE IN THE THE ABBASID DYNASTY Baghdad became a major crossroads for trade. This made the city very wealthy. This also helped spread products and knowledge from the Middle East to parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe.

DECLINE AND DIVISION OF THE THE ABBASID DYNASTY There was great difficulty in the Abbasid Dynasty with imperial succession. There was also financial corruption. Caliphs began to recruit from non-Arab groups for government administration such as the Turks and the Persians. These groups came to dominate the political situation. Rulers of provinces began to break away and establish independent kingdoms. Spain had an independent Caliphate at Cordoba which had been established in 750 by Umayyad rulers who fled the Abbasid Dynasty. Morocco became independent. The Fatimid Dynasty was established in Egypt with the capital at Cairo in 973.

THE SELJUK TURKS One group which came to power as time went on were the Seljuk Turks. The Turks played a large role in the military and many rose through the ranks to gain political power. The Turks were originally a nomadic people who converted to Islam and were great soldiers in the Abbasid Dynasty. As the Abbasids weakened, the Turks became stronger moving into the areas of Iran and Armenia. They eventually took over many Abbasid territories.

THE SELJUK TURKS (CONT’D) The Turks were ruled by a Sultan, meaning “holder of power.” The Turks in the second half of the 11 th century kept putting pressure on the Byzantine Empire. In 1071, they defeated the Byzantine army at Manzikert and gained control of Asia Minor. In desperation, the Byzantine Empire turned to Western Europe for help. This led to a series of wars known as The Crusades.