WHAP Chap 8 Islam Mr Pack

CHAP 8 Islam Prior to 6th century- nomadic tribal Bedouins (polytheistic) in Arabia ruled by Sheikh. Supreme deity (Allah)- sacred stone at Mecca, stones believed to be inhabited by spirits (jinns) No separate class of priests Muhammed (570-632 C.E.) – caravan manager, revelations from angel-messages later collected in Quran Muhammed is not considered divine- just a prophet (Abraham, Moses, Jesus)

Chap 8 Islam Muhammed escapes persecution to Medina (622) known as Hegira. Umma community founded. Conquers Mecca 10 years later-sacred stone becomes known as Ka’aba Religion spreads through trade routes/military conquest- mostly tolerant, but other faiths paid tax Hebrews and Christians known as people of the book

Ka’aba

Chap 8 Islam 5 pillars of Islam Believing in only one God-Allah Praying 5 times daily Giving Alms to the poor Fasting during Ramadan (month) Making a pilgrimage to Mecca Jihad- struggle in the ay of God Shariah- Islamic code of Law, no gambling, alcohol, pork, no enslavement of people of the book

Chap 8 Abu Bakr- takes over leadership (father in law) after Muhammed’s death organizes writings into Quran. Caliph- head of state Hadith- Additional stories and sayings by Muhammed. Ali- Muhammed’s cousin (also son in law)- eventually becomes 4th Caliph Succession dispute divides Islam into Sunnis (support of Abu Bakr) and Shiites (support Ali) Today Sunni are the majority 85-90%

Chap 8 Caliphs expand- take land form Byzantine and Sasanid Empires. No forced conversions, collect tax. After Ali assasinated in 661 the Umayyad Dynasty was founded by a network of merchants, capital moved to Damascus. Weak and corrupt Umayyads overthrown by Abbasids in 750, new capital at Baghdad.

Umayyad Map

Abbasid Map

Chapt 8 Islam Baghdad center of learning, impressive library Avicenna- advances science, medicine, astoronomy, geography Rumi- Perisan poet and theologist- teachings became basis of Sufi movement (shaved head, chanting/dancing to unite with God) Abbasid issues- tax collection, increased bureaucracy, attacks from outside groups (mamluks, seljuk turks, crusaders, mongols) trade routes move away from Baghdad.

Chapt 8 Islam Islamic rule extended to Spain (capital Cordoba). Islamic forces defeated by Charles Martel at the Battle of Tours in 732. Cordoba tolerant of Christians and Hebrews. Goods travel on trading ships (dhows). Slavery practiced but Islam forbid enslaving other muslims, jews, christians and zoroastrians.

Islam Chapt 8 Under Abbasid caliph becomes ceremonial with a vizier head of government. Also military commanders increased political power that took away from caliph. Rebellions also occur. Ulama- religious scholars who gain power and have final say on Shari’a law.

Chapt 8 Islam Islamic women wear head scarf- hijab More rights than female Christians or Hebrews Islam forbids female infanticide Dowries paid to wife, not father Islamic women can inherit property, remarry if widowed, receive settlement money if divorced and practice birth control Could testify in court but testify worth half a man’s Harems- dwellings of women and eunuchs and children

WHAP CHAP 8 Islam Arabic language spreads through Qu’ran The Thousand and One Nights- told by Scheherazade- tells about elite society of the Abbasids Universities- called madras Islamic art- avoid bodily form, (Allah creates life) forbidden to recreate image of Allah/Muhammed Minaret- prayer tower, 5 times a day Arabic numerals-Al-jabr (Algebra) developed from Hindu scholars