Rise of Islam and the First Global Civilization Pre-Islamic Society in the Middle East, Muhammad, the Qur’an, and the Spread of Islam

Changes in Post-Classical World Not political – involved spread of major world religions Trade spread religion International trade moved beyond the Silk Road Millions changed their religious beliefs through a combination of persuasion and pressure Areas that had been under control of great empires turned to faith as their empires declined

Power vacuums created new opportunities for groups like Arabs Religion and commerce were the engines of change in the postclassical period Islam affected more different cultures and peoples than the other religions

Pre-Islamic Society in Arabia Bedouins Desert nomads organized by clans and tribes Traded and traveled on camels Polytheistic but believed in Allah Weakened by constant infighting Women and families Enjoyed greater freedom and higher status than Byzantine and Persian women Had key economic roles Were not secluded and didn’t wear veils Weren’t equal to men Arts were not highly developed

Trading Cities Mecca Largest town in western Arabia Dominated by the Umayyad clan Traded with Roman, Byzantine, and Persian empires Polytheistic Ka’ba – Shrine that included Black Stone of Mecca and idols Pilgrims traveled to worship here Medina Also engaged in trade, although on a smaller scale “City of the Prophet Muhammad”

Muhammad Born in 570 CE Born into middle class family Orphaned as a child Most likely illiterate Became caravan manager Married wealthy woman Khadijah Troubled by widening gap between rich and poor Traveled and was exposed to Eastern Orthodox and Jewish religions Both were monotheistic

40 – Received vision while he meditated in a cave Believed Allah was the same God that Jews and Christians worshipped Believed he was the last and greatest prophet 613 – He began to preach Initially unpopular Cave Hira

Muhammad’s Hegira (Hijrah) Hostility caused Muhammad to flee Mecca and travel to Medina People were more receptive to Islam in Medina Islam means “peace through submission to will of Allah” Hostilities increased with Mecca Muhammad’s power and religion rivaled the Umayyads Muhammad led raids against Meccan caravans Mecca launched series of attacks against Muhammad and Medina Treaty was signed in 628 Entered city in triumph with his followers and destroyed idols in Ka’ba Muhammad was a religious and political leader

Islam Uncompromising monotheism Religion that was distinctly Arab but equal to monotheistic faiths of Christians and Jews Enabled end to infighting Salvation and hope for an afterlife Followers must submit themselves to will of Allah Both a set of beliefs and a way of life Followers must be honest and fair

Qur’an (Koran) Islam was initially an oral tradition Followers wrote down Muhammad’s teachings on scraps of paper in Arabic Abu-Bakr Leader after Muhammad who ordered the compilation of Muhammad’s teachings Arabic Official language of Islam Tomb of Abu-BakrFirst Sura of Koran

Five Pillars of Islam Faith “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.” Prayer 5 times a day Required ritual cleansing in the morning Followers must face Mecca and kneel with their foreheads touching the ground Alms Money to help the needy

Fasting Ramadan – 1 month Pilgrimage (hajj) To Mecca at least once in a lifetime, if possible Hajj to Ka’ba in Mecca

Other Teachings of the Koran No Pork or ham Gambling Wine or intoxicating beverages Marrying unbelievers A man could have as many as 4 wives if they were treated equally Worship happens on Friday afternoons in a Mosque Islam lacks a formal priesthood Men and women live very separate lives Muslim marriage contract The Mosque of the Prophet in Medina

Spread of Islam Mid-630s – Arab warriors seemed to explode from the desert Contributing factors: Arabs were passionate about Islam Warriors who died in a jihad went straight into paradise Arabian peninsula was overpopulated Resistance was weak Muslim merchants were key links in trade 732 – Muslim armies were defeated by Charles Martel at Battle of Tours (or Poitiers)

Islam initially surpassed Christianity as a world faith In the next few centuries, most people would convert to one of the great faiths