The Rise and Spread of Islam

Origins The religion of Islam was founded in present-day Saudi Arabia around 600 AD.

Aside from some areas along the coast of the Red Sea, most of the Arabian Peninsula is made up of a desert. The desert was home to small nomadic tribes called Bedouins.

Bedouins were a tough and courageous people who valued family and loyalty. They later formed the core of Islamic armies.

Pilgrimage – a long journey for a spiritual purpose Port cities popped up along the coast of the Red Sea, trading spices and other products from Asia. Mecca was the largest and most influential city. Mecca was a crossroads of trade and a pilgrimage location for worshipers of local gods. Pilgrimage – a long journey for a spiritual purpose

The Kabba – the most holy site in all of Islam One of the 5 pillars requires all Muslims to pilgrimage to the Kabba

Founding Mohammed was a merchant born in Mecca around 570 AD. At around the age of 40 he received a vision from God to create a “pure” religion. What an adult male of this period looked like.

Muhammad called his religion “Islam”, which means “Submission to God”. A person who practices the religion of Islam is called Muslim.

The Hijrah (or Hegira) Mohammed won some followers in Mecca, but was forced to flee to Medina in 622 AD. Mohammed gained more followers in Medina.

Holy Places Mecca - Birthplace of Mohammed and where Islam began. Medina - Location where Mohammed fled to, Islam grew and where Mohammed is buried. Jerusalem -Believed to be the place where Mohammed ascended into heaven.

Islamic Beliefs

Holy Book of Islam The Koran (Qu’ran) or “word of God” Contains the teachings of Mohammed, a variety of prayers and a moral code for Muslims

Islam’s symbol The crescent moon symbol says that when Muhammad received his first revelation, the moon was at its last stage, appearing as a waning crescent.

Islamic Beliefs The Five Pillars of Islam Belief in one God and his prophet Mohammed Daily Prayer Giving alms (donations) to the needy Fasting during Ramadan Pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca and Medina

1 - Belief in one God and his prophet Mohammad Muslims are monotheistic. Their god, Allah, is believed to be the same god as in Judaism and Christianity. Jesus, Moses, and Abraham are prophets, but they did not make a “true” religion. In other words, Judaism and Christianity were on the right track, but didn’t go far enough.

2.DAILY PRAYER Five times a day Facing towards Mecca 3.GIVING ALMS Donations given to the needy

4 - Ramadan Holy Month Serves as a re-devotion to God (Allah) People are not supposed to eat during daylight hours for a period of about thirty days.

5 - Pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina This pilgrimage, called the Hajj, is supposed to be taken by all able-bodied Muslims at some point in their lives.

Mosque – an Islamic house of worship

Mohammad conquered the Arabian Peninsula before his death in 632 AD. The Expansion of Islam Mohammad conquered the Arabian Peninsula before his death in 632 AD.

Mohammad’s death leaves questions about succession (who will take over leadership) Mohammad’s four immediate successors, know as the Rashidun, were elected as caliphs of the Muslim people. Caliph - a military/religious leader in the Muslim faith

The Expansion of Islam The Rashidun expanded Islamic territory through the Middle East, northern Africa and into the Persian and Byzantine Empires. Important cities they conquered were Jerusalem (home of Christian and Jewish religions) and Damascus (an important trading city and center of learning).

The two biggest reasons contributing to the Islamic army’s success 1) a combination of the soldier’s strong faith and good army leadership 2) weak empires (Byzantines and Persia) surrounding their territory.

Sunni vs. Shiite When the last of the Rashidun (Ali, who was a blood relative of Mohammed) was murdered, there was conflict over who should lead the religion. This led to a split in the Muslim religion.

Islam Divided Shiite Muslims Sunni Muslims The majority group Believe that the descendants of any of the four caliphs can become a leader in the faith - as long as they were religious, knowledgeable and well-liked. Leaders could be elected The Minority Group They believe that the leaders of the faith should only be direct descendants of Mohammed and the final caliph (Ali). More strict in their beliefs

Several civil wars were fought between Sunni and Shi’ite groups were fought in early Muslim history and continues, to a lesser degree, today. Ex. the “sectarian violence” in Iraq is between these groups.

Dark Green = Shiite Light Green = Sunni

Slavery was tolerated in Muslim territory, but it was not based on race.

In 732 AD, King Charles Martel defeated the Muslim army at the Battle of Tours (in modern France). The Battle of Tours finally stalled the expansion of Islam and prevented most of Europe from turning Muslim. Spain remained under Muslim control until 1492.

The Abbasid Dynasty The Abbasid family took over in 750 AD. They moved the capital of the Muslim territory to Baghdad.

Baghdad became a center of learning and trade until it was conquered by the Mongols in 1258 AD.

Cultural and Scientific Achievements

From the period of around 700 AD to 1400 AD, Muslim areas were more advanced in technology and learning than Europe. Arabic the official language of all Muslim areas.

The Dome of the Rock Located in Jerusalem. A mosque at the site where Mohammed ascended to heaven.

Muslims decorated mosques with mosaics.

Several Muslim cities, like Baghdad, Damascus and Cordoba (in Spain), became centers of learning and were homes of advanced universities and libraries.

Muslim scholars translated ancient Greek and Roman texts into Arabic and helped preserve those ideas.

Arabic numerals were borrowed by Europeans because they were much easier to use than Roman numerals. The mathematician Al-Khwarizmi combined Greek and Indian methods to develop algebra (taken from the Arabic word “al-jabr”).

Medicine Muslim doctors combined Greek, Persian, Syrian, Egyptian and Indian medical knowledge. They created hospitals, medical encyclopedias and found cures and treatments to many simple diseases. Muslim doctors also made many advances in anatomy. Meanwhile Europeans were still “curing” people by covering them with leeches and “bleeding” them.

Muslims also made many advances in astronomy and geography. Ex. The astrolabe calculated the position of the stars.