Modern Muslim World How does Islam spread to these places?

The Messenger Muhammad (570 – 632 CE) Born in Mecca From a Quraysh family A shepherd and a trader Troubled by the religious corruption and social inequalities of Mecca Often withdrew into the mountains to meditate 610 CE = he had an overwhelming religious experience (Similar to the Buddha and Jesus) Became convinced he was Allah’s messenger to the Arabs

The Messenger Muhammad claimed to be the “seal of the prophets” Meant he was the last in a long line of prophets, including Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and others Said he had God’s FINAL revelation to humankind Wasn’t trying to start a new faith More of an invitation to return to the old and pure religion of Abraham

The Message: 5 Pillars of Islam 1) Faith: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of God.” 2) Prayer: Should be performed 5 times daily while facing in the direction of Mecca 3) Almsgiving: Supporting the poor and needy of the community 4) Fasting: Occurs during month of Ramadan; no food, drink, or sexual relations from dawn to sundown 5) The Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca

The Message: The 6th Pillar Jihad = “struggle” “Greater jihad” = interior personal effort to avoid greed and selfishness, and to strive toward living a God- conscious life “Lesser jihad” = “jihad of the sword” = belief that the Quran authorized armed struggle against the forces of unbelief and evil In order to: establish Muslim rule and defend the umma from the threats of infidel aggressors versus

Sunnis vs. Shi’ites Believe the caliph is the rightful political and military leader of Islam Believe the caliph should be chosen by the Islamic community Believe the caliph can be any devout Muslim Religious authority comes from the larger Islamic community; particularly ulama = religious scholars Believe that the leader of the Islamic community should be a blood descendant/relative of Muhammad Religious authority comes from prayer leaders called imams Imams = only ones that can correctly interpret divine revelations and Islamic law

Major Muslim States Caliphates Al-Andalus Delhi Sultanate 5 rightly guided caliphs Umayyads (661-750) Abbasids (750-1258) Fatimids (Egypt 973-1169) Al-Andalus Delhi Sultanate (Spain) (Northern India)

West African Muslim empires: Ghana Mali Songhay Great Mosque of Jenne West African Muslim empires: Ghana Mali Songhay 1300s: Pilgrimage to Mecca 60,000 people 12,000 slaves with 4 lbs of gold Gave away so much gold, he destabilized Egypt’s economy Mansa Musa

Islamic state outside of caliphate Sultans ruled the land, but not the faith

Al-Andalus (aka Andalusia) (aka Islamic Spain) http://explorethemed.com/reconquista.asp

Great Mosque of Cordoba

Great Mosque of Cordoba

What caused the spread of the Arabic language? The Turkic?

Abbasid Dynasty, 750-1258 Capital at Baghdad – What are the advantages of this location? (next slide) All Muslims allowed to hold civil and military positions (allowed outside influence to enter) Strong Persian influence Caliph becomes more like king than spiritual leader

Trade Advances: Banking Currency Letters of Credit Leather Olives Wine Linens Dates Precious stone Silk Porcelain Gold Slaves Grain Textiles Gold Ivory Rhino horn Sandalwood Cotton Wheat Sugar Spices

Paper Making: Tang to Abbasids Block Printing Carve words in wooden block press it onto paper Great help to all bureaucratic governments

Pointed Arch First used by Byzantines it will become the characteristic arch of Islamic Architecture Later it becomes a center of Gothic Medieval Architecture

Arabesque Means repeating geometrical patterns Major feature of Islamic Architecture due to fact that they do not depict living things in their art.

Calligraphy Quotations from Qur’an Emphasizes Islam and the unification of their empire due to fact all had to learn Arabic to become Muslim or pay Jizya.

Bypostyle Greek word meaning “under columns Not specific to Islam but used extensively in a mosque’s prayer hall which had be a large room

Minaret Used to call Muslims to prayer Oldest Standing Minaret Used to call Muslims to prayer Word originates from the term for “an object that gives light” First mosques did not have minarets. Can vary drastically depending on local cultural influences

Large Domes Again, not a unique feature of Muslim architecture as the Greeks and Romans perfected the dome The Dome of the Rock (right) is one of the holiest sites of Islam and was patterned off of nearby Byzantine churches and Byzantine workers help to build it. Sometimes the domes are pointed at the top.

Mihrab Is a niche built into the wall of the Mosque which is usually accompanied by a pulpit The Mihrab indicates the direction of the Kaaba (الكعبة) in Mecca which is the direction Muslims face when they pray.