The World of Islam and the Crusades

Arabs Lived in the Arabian Peninsula, present day Saudi Arabia Tribes were lead by sheikh Became important for trade between the Indian and Mediterranean Sea 2 important cities; Mecca- Where Muhammad is born. Houses the Kaaba, house of worship whose cornerstone was a sacred stone called the Black Stone Medina- Muhammad moves to this city because the people in Mecca didn’t take to his message.

Islamic Beliefs Quran, their holy book, has the written down revelations of Muhammad Gives ethical guidelines people should live their lives by 5 Pillars of Islam Belief-Belief in Allah and his prophet Muhammad Prayer-Must pray 5 times a day Charity-Concern for the needy Fasting-Ramada-n, fast from sun up to sun down Pilgrimage- Muslims are encouraged to make a journey to Mecca during their lives Islam- peace through the submission to the will of Allah Jihad- struggle in the way of God, fair and defensive war.

Facts about Islam Bagdad, Jerusalem and Damascus are important religious cities. Split in Islam Shiite- Located mostly in Iraq and Iran Sunni- Majority of the Muslim world. Split over descendants from Muhammad Muslims attempt to spread into Europe, but are stopped at Constantinople and by Charles Martel in France.

Comparison Between Christianity and Islam Supreme leader is called God, Monotheistic God gives his revelation to Mary through Gabriel Believes first preacher was divine, Jesus Christian reject God’s original message and he sends his final revelation through Jesus Starts with Abraham to Isaac Split between political and religious authority Worship in Churches Supreme leader is called Allah, Monotheistic Muhammad receives his revelation through Gabriel Doesn’t believe first preacher was divine Muslims reject Allah’s original message and he sends his final revelation through Muhammad Starts with Abraham to Ishmael No split between political and religious authority Worship in Mosques, no human representation