The World of Islam Chapter 6

The Rise of Islam The Arabs Arose in the Arabian Peninsula and influenced Western Asia and beyond. They were a nomadic, Semitic-speaking people who lived in the arid climate of the Arabian Peninsula. The environment was harsh, they were organized into tribes and were led by a sheikh who was chosen from a council of elders. The tribes were independent, but worked together

Early Religion -Most Early Arabs were polytheistic, many recognized a chief, or supreme god who they called Allah which is Arabic for “God.” -Allah was symbolized by a sacred stone, each tribe had their own stone, but there was one central stone called the Black stone which was placed in the shrine called the Kaaba. -This shrine was located in the city of Makkah (Mecca) in what is now Saudi Arabia.

Trade The Arabian Peninsula became an important center for trade. The city of Mecca became rich from the caravan trade traffic which passed through the area. The domestication of the camel enabled traffic to cross the deserts and as empires grew up in the region trade increased greatly. As the merchants became rich from the Caravan traffic the life of the poor people of the area suffered.

The Life of Muhammad Muhammad was born in Makkah in present-day Saudi Arabia to a merchant family. His parents died when he was young and he ended up living with his uncle who was a merchant and he became a caravan manager. Muhammad in Arabic Calligraphy

Muhammad married an older widow named Khadija Muhammad married an older widow named Khadija. Over time, he found the richness and corruption of the merchants and townspeople to be troubling. He decided to visit the hills to meditate. Muslims believe that while he was meditating in the hills he received revelations from God through the Angel Gabriel.

Muhammad’s Revelation Muslims believe the Angel Gabriel told Muhammad to recite what he heard, it was believed that Allah had already revealed himself through Moses and Jesus, but now had a final revelation for man. This final revelation became the religion of Islam. Which means submission to the will of God.

The Quran (Koran) The revelations to Muhammad were written down by scribes and became known as The Quran, which is the holy book of Islam. The Quran contains ethical guidelines and laws by which Muslims (followers of Islam) should live their lives.

After the Revelation After Muhammad received his revelation he went to his wife Khadija, she was his first convert to the new religion. He began to try to convert the people of Makkah to his message, but he was unsuccessful. After three years he was forced to go to the city of Yathrib, which later became Medina. This flight, or migration, is known as the Hijrah and marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. This was in the year 622 CE.

Acceptance in the city of the Prophet In Yathrib, renamed Medina (which means the city of the prophet) Muhammad was accepted and gained followers. One of the groups which converted to the new religion of Islam were the Bedouins who were desert Arabs. This new community became the first to practice the religion. After several years, Muhammad became both a spiritual and political leader, there was not an idea of the separation of church and state. He raised an army and conquered the city of Makkah.

The Kaaba After Muhammad took the city of Makkah he cleansed the Kaaba of idols and dedicated it to Allah, who he taught was the one true God. All Muslims are encouraged to make a pilgrimage to Makkah known as the Hajj at least once in their life if they are physically and financially able.

The Teachings of Muhammad Islam is Monotheistic, like Judaism and Christianity. Islam teaches a belief in an afterlife, those who hope to achieve this afterlife must submit to the will of Allah. Muslims do not believe the Muhammad was divine, they believe that he was a man. Islam is seen not just as a religion, but as a way of life.

Muslims believe that Islam was God’s final revelation for mankind Muslims believe that Islam was God’s final revelation for mankind. Muslims feel that in order to achieve salvation that they must obey the will of Allah, or God. In order to do this they must follow the five major principles of Islam known as the Five Pillars of Islam.

The Five Pillars of Islam 1-Declaration of Faith Muslims must state that there is not God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet. 2. Daily Prayer Muslims must pray five times a day facing the Kaaba in Mecca. Pre Dawn Noon Afternoon Sunset Evening

Five Pillars Continued . . . 3. Charity Muslims are supposed to help others and donate part of their income to charity. 4. Fasting-Ramadan Muslims must fast from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan which celebrates the recording of the Quran.

Hajj 5. Pilgrimage: Hajj The fifth pillar of Islam is the Hajj. Once in a lifetime, if they are physically and financially able , Muslims are to journey to Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia and perform the rituals of the Hajj.

Guest Speaker Before our guest speaker I thought… After our guest speaker I think…

Facts about Islam Quran (Koran)-Holy book of Islam Minaret Quran (Koran)-Holy book of Islam Muslim- A follower of Islam Mosque- A Muslim House of Worship Minarets- The towers located on a Mosque from which the Muezzin calls the faithful to prayer.

Islamic Law After the death of Muhammad there were further interpretations of his teachings. These are known as the Hadith. There are different versions of the Hadith for different branches of Islam. These teachings were further interpreted in the Shari’ah. This is a set of laws which regulate many aspects of Muslim life. It does not separate between church and state and covers family life, business, government, and moral conduct. Muslims are expected to practice honesty and justice in dealing with others and are forbidden to gamble, eat pork, drink alcohol, or engage in dishonest behavior.

Creation of An Arab Empire After the death of Muhammad, unity was difficult to maintain. The friend and father-in-law of Muhammad, Abu Bakr, was chosen to be the first Caliph, or successor to Muhammad. Abu Bakr helped to unify the Muslim world and expanded in Arabia and beyond. Under the idea of jihad, or “struggle in the way of God” the early Muslims expanded their territory. The believed that defensive warfare was permitted by the Quran.

Does “jihad” exist in the American mindset?

Arab Rule The Arabs were now united and expanded their territory instead of fighting each other. They defeated the Byzantine army in 636 taking the province of Syria. By 642 they took Egypt and by 650 they controlled the Persian Empire

After Abu Bakr died there was conflict over who would be the next Caliph. The next two Caliphs were both assassinated. After that Muhammad’s son-in-law Ali was appointed Caliph, but five years later he too was assassinated.

Infer Tell me why: If Islam is a religion of peace and submission. If jihad is permitted only in matters of defense; Why are Caliphs being assassinated and why is the Empire expanding and taking over other nations?

Administration Muslim administrators were fairly tolerant of the people they defeated. Initially, both Christians and Jews were allowed to practice their religions, with some restrictions, because they were “People of the Book” who had written scriptures revealed to them by God before the time of Muhammad. Those who chose not to convert had to be loyal to the Muslim state and pay a special tax.

The Umayyad Dynasty At the beginning of the eighth century Islam had expanded across northern Africa and had converted the Berbers (a pastoral people along the Mediterranean coast) to the faith. By 710 combined Berber and Arab forces crossed the Strait of Gibraltar into Spain and had taken most of the country by 725. In 732, however, the Muslim advance into Europe was halted at the Battle of Tours.

By 750 the Muslim advance came to an end By 750 the Muslim advance came to an end. The southern and eastern Mediterranean and parts of the old Roman Empire were now Muslim territory. The Umayyad Dynasty was centered in Damascus, in modern-day Syria and was wealthy. This was also a very diverse empire as many different peoples had been conquered in new territory. The diversity helped lead to a split within the Islamic faith

The Umayyad Empire

A Split in Islam Many non-Arab Muslims resent the favoritism which the Umayyad Empire showed toward Arabs. The large empire was difficult to rule efficiently and there were financial problems as well.

The Revolt of Hussein The grandson of Muhammad, Hussein, led a revolt against the Umayyad Empire in 680. His solders defected and he was killed by an overwhelming Umayyad force. This struggle led to a split within the faith of Islam between Sunni and Shi’a (Shiite) Muslims.

Sunni vs. Shi’a (Shiite) Sunni Muslims supported the Umayyad Dynasty. They believe the Caliph does not need to be a direct descendant of Muhammad. Shi’a Muslims supported Hussein and believe that the Caliph should be a direct descendant of Muhammad through his son-in-law Ali and his grandson.