Mr. Marijanovich Crestwood High School World History A 10.1 – The Rise of Mr. Marijanovich Crestwood High School World History A http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/religionet/er/islam/index.htm

10.1 Objectives Describe Arabia before the rise of Islam. Explain how Muhammad began to unify the Arabian Peninsula under Islam. Identify Islamic beliefs and practices.

Time of Muhammad (570-632 AD) During the time of Muhammad, the Arabian Peninsula was the home of nomadic herders, traders, and a constant flow of pilgrims. Pilgrims – people who travel for religious reasons. Because of the constant movement of people, the cities of the Arabian peninsula were quite cosmopolitan, or influenced by many cultures.

Mecca & Yathrib Mecca & Yathrib were the leading towns in the Arabian Peninsula. Mecca benefited from a constant flow of pilgrims that came to worship at the sacred shrine of Kaaba. Kaaba housed the images of many Arab gods and the sacred Black Stone. The sacred Black Stone was a meteorite that the Arabs believed was sent from heaven.

Life of Muhammad 570 AD - Born in Mecca. - His parents died when he was young. - He worked for a wealthy widow named Khadija, leading trade caravans across the desert to Palestine and Syria. Around 600 AD -Muhammad marries Khadija. Around 610 AD -While on a religious retreat, he heard the voice of Gabriel ordering him to “proclaim”, or preach, to all people. -The experience frightened him & he returned home. He told Khadija what had happened. She encouraged him to accept this mission.

Muhammad’s Revelation Muhammad believed that Allah was speaking to him through Gabriel, and that he was the last of the prophets. The beliefs that Muhammad preached became known as Islam (submission to the will of Allah). The followers of Islam became known as Muslims (one who submits to the will of Allah).

Break! Thumbs up if the answer is true, thumbs down if the answer is false: Mecca was not really a place where ideas and trade flourished, not many people went there. FALSE!!! Muhammad had met a peasant named Khadija, who helped him through his revelations. FALSE!!! (she was wealthy and higher status) Muhammad believed that the angel who had been talking to him was Gabriel. TRUE  Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all worship the same God, they just have different beliefs.

Aftermath of Muhammad’s Revelation Muhammad’s message of one god angered the people of the town who were afraid to lose the profitable pilgrim traffic to Mecca. After Khadijia dies, Muhammad and his followers are forced to leave Mecca. They went to Yathrib, where he was welcomed as a respected leader. Later the name was changed to Medina, or “city of the prophet.” http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/socst/ghgonline/turnpoint/cities6.html

Muhammad Captures Mecca The migration from Mecca to Medina became known as the hijrah. It is the first year of the Muslim calendar. In 630 A.D., he returned to Mecca with an army of over 10,000 from Yathrib followers and laid siege to the city. Mecca’s leaders surrender, and Muhammad claims the city of Mecca for Allah. He entered the Kaaba, smashed the images of the Arab gods, and dedicated the black stone to God. http://keep3.sjfc.edu/students/blg08333/e-port/msti260/VLA/Belief%20Systems.html

Muhammad Captures Mecca (Continued) Most Meccans pledge loyalty to Muhammad, convert to Islam and join the umma, or Muslim religious community. Muhammad died in 632 A.D. at the age of 62. At the time of his death, he had done more than any other to unite the Arabian peninsula.

Beliefs of Islam Five Pillars 1.) Belief in one God & Muhammad is his prophet 2.) Prayer - 5 times per day facing Mecca 3.) Charity to the poor and aged 4.) Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan 5.) Hajj - pilgrimage to Mecca

Beliefs of Islam (Continued) Forbidden to eat pork. Forbidden to drink alcohol. Set Friday aside for communal worship (Muslim holy day) Each Muslim is expected to worship Allah directly…there are no priests to act as go-betweens. The Qur’an – the Muslim holy book that contains the proclamations of Muhammad. These are directives that came to Muhammad from Allah through the archangel Gabriel. PLEASE ADD TO YOUR NOTES – Muslims are to practice tolerance to Christians and Jews, because they are “the people of the book”

Sources of Islamic Authority The Qur’an is written in Arabic, and only the Arabic versions are considered the true word of Allah. Only Arabic can be used in worship. Muhammad’s actions while alive are a blueprint for Muslims to follow in their lives. Muslims call it the Sunna, or Muhammad’s example. The Qur’an and Sunna form the basis for a body of law known as shari’a. Shari’a law regulates the family life, moral conduct, business and community lives of Muslims.