The Beginnings of Islam Chapter 10, Section 2

The Arabian Peninsula The Arabian Peninsula was, and still is, mostly desert. Many groups of Bedouins lived there. Bedouins were nomads who have no permanent home. Bedouins would cross the desert going from oasis to oasis. Served as guides for traders in caravans. Insert a map of your country.

The Arabian Peninsula Insert a map of your country.

The Arabian Peninsula Mecca became a busy trade center that served as a location in different directions. Muhammad was born in Mecca. He went into the mountains to pray and think. At age 40, he heard God speak to him through an angel. God told him that people would submit to the one true God. Insert a map of your country.

The Arabian Peninsula Muslim means “one who submits.” Followers of the teachings of Muhammad are Muslims. The religion is known as Islam. Muhammad taught that all people are brothers and sisters in a community established by God. Few people listened to him. They didn’t want to change and have Mecca lose its importance as the religious center. Insert a map of your country.

The Arabian Peninsula In 622, Muhammad traveled to Yathrib. This is known as the “hijra.” Muslims view this as an important date and their calendars view this as year 1. After this, the city was changed to Medina. Means “city” and is short for “city of the prophet.” Muhammad died in 632. Islam had spread all through the Arabian Peninsula. Insert a map of your country.

Muslim Belief A muezzin, a man who calls Muslims to worship. In Arabic, the word for God is Allah. Five times each day, Muslims are called to worship. House of worship is called a mosque. Muslims beliefs are expressed in the Five Pillars of Faith. Insert a map of your country.

Muslim Belief Don’t need to copy this as it is Pillar Description Declaration of Faith Muslims must regularly declare the belief that there is only one God and Muhammad is God’s messenger. Prayer Muslims must pray five times a day, facing in the direction of the holy city of Mecca. Almsgiving Muslims must give alms, or money that goes to the needy. Fasting Muslims must fast during daylight hours in the month of Ramadan. Pilgrimage Muslims must make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime, if they are able. Don’t need to copy this as it is in your book. Don’t need to copy this as it is in your book. Insert a map of your country.

Muslim Belief The fifth pillar is known as hajj. The holy book of Islam is called the Quran. Like the Torah and Christian Bible, the Quran has stories, promises, warnings, and instructions. Islam is monotheistic. Insert a map of your country.

Muslim Belief In Islam, women are considered spiritually equal to men. The Quran gave women many rights that Arab society did not grant women. A split, or schism, occurred in the followers of Islam in 656. Uthman, their leader was assassinated. Insert a map of your country.

Muslim Belief The Shiites, the smaller of the two groups. They believed the ruler should be a direct descendant of Muhammad. He would explain the meaning of the messages. The Sunnis, the larger of the two groups, believed that any truly religious Muslim man could lead the community. They also believed that no one man should tell Muslims what God’s message meant. Insert a map of your country.

Muslim Belief The Sunnis prefer to look towards a group of scholars to explain the Quran. Today, about 85% of Muslims are Sunni. Insert a map of your country.

History of Islam

Homework Read P. 292-297 Answer #1 – 2 Read P. 298-299 Answer 2 Assessment Questions on P. 299 Insert a map of your country.