Ch. 6.1 WHAP The Arabs were skillful in transporting goods safely across the wide barren stretches, guided by signs of nature just as mariners navigated the seas

Desert and Town Pre-Islamic Arabian World Islam appeared first on the Arabian Peninsula, occupied by pastoral nomads and on the edge of civilized zones. Mostly desert, but it supported goat and camel nomadism among the Bedouin peoples. Agriculture was limited and trading towns like Mecca developed along the coast

Clan Identity, Clan Rivalries, and the Cycle of Vengeance Nomadic kin-related clans were the basis of society. Clans clustered into larger tribal units only during crises. The harsh environment, survival hang on upon clan loyalty. Leaders, or Shaykhs, although elected by councils, usually were wealthy men. Free warriors enforced their decisions. Slave families served the leaders & clan. Clan unity was secure by clan rivalries and conflicts over water & pasturage, resulting in feuds lasting for centuries. The friction weakened Bedouin society against its rivals. The Bedouin culture of clan loyalty and rivalry were critical to the emergence of Islam

Women were had great freedoms and art was largely nonexistent. Religion; was part animism and polytheism

Muhammad and the origin of Islam In the 7th century Islam arose, built on the revelations of the prophet Muhammad a trader from Mecca The new faith won over many tribes of the peninsula within decades. Islam will unite Arabs and provide important ethical system. Initially an Arab religion, Islam's beliefs and practices eventually made it one of worlds great religions

Global Muslim Population

Prophet Muhammad, born on the Arabian Peninsula about 570 CE, in Mecca, a caravan stop on a trade route between Yemen and the Mediterranean. Mecca was also the site of an important house of worship called the Ka’ba, which is associated with the Prophet Abraham. The monument is believed to be built by prophet Abraham as the abode of God is the fountainhead of the monotheists’ religions of the World.

The Islamic requirements of worship are called the Five Pillars, which are: (1) Faith-- to state belief in One God (whose name in Arabic is Allah) & Muhammad is his prophet (2) Prayer -- to pray the 5 times each day (3) Fasting-- to fast from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan each year (4) Charity- - to pay a percentage of goods or money as obligated to charity each year (5) Hajj -- to make the pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime.

Muhammad came between 610 and 622 CE. The revelations were pass on by Muhammad to his followers (the umma) in Arabic, and they were memorized and written down in the Qur’an, literally, "the recitation." Muslims believe it to be the direct word of Allah. After 13 years of teaching and persecution at Mecca, Muhammad migrated to Medina in an event called the Hijra, which marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar, in 622 CE

The Ridda Wars beginnings of an Empire Just after Muhammad died, Caliph Abu Bakr succeeded him as the first caliph, there were a series of military campaigns launched against rebel Arabian tribes during 632 and 633 AD The rebels' position was that they had submitted to Muhammad as the prophet of God, but owed nothing to Abu Bakr. Most of the tribes were defeated and were re-integrated into the Caliphate. The peoples surrounding Mecca did not revolt.

Problem of Succession The Sunni branch believes that the first four caliphs--Mohammed's successors--rightfully took his place as the leaders of Muslims. They believe that the leader of Islam should be appointed by election and consensus. Shi’a, in contrast, believe that only the heirs of the fourth caliph, Ali, are the legitimate successors of Mohammed Sunnis make up 84 to 90 percent of the world's Muslims