The Arabs Semitic Tribe, like Jewish peoples Traced heritage thru Abraham’s son Ishmael Shared traditions and stories of old testament (Adam and Eve, Noahs Ark, et cetera) Divided between Bedouins, desert nomads, and oasis city dwellers Tribes and Family of great importance

Arabian Tribal Culture When a violent crime was committed resulted in Thar – Retribution Any members of suspected tribe became targets Lack of resources also resulted in Ghazu, or raids against other tribes Both cause great instability

Mecca Also important Religious Center “tourist destination” and trade route Most famous attraction was the Kaaba Stone (likely a meteor fragment) Birthplace of a man named Muhammad

Background on Muhammed Muhammed was an orphan Raised by his merchant uncle Married a wealthy widow and ran her business Wanted a single identity to unify Arabia in opposition to outside forces

Muhammad Dedicated to spiritual searching and talked to “people of the book” Meditated in a cave outside Mecca Received message from the Angel Gabriel Revelations continued for 23 years

Qur’an Revelations were later written into the Qur’an Adopts all Abrahamic figures, including Jesus, as prophets of Allah Earlier scriptures lost or altered and part of Allah’s message

Medina Muhammad began preaching his new religion His tribe rejected it. Muhammad and friends fled to the Medina

Aftermath Muslim emigrants property seized Muhammad started praying towards Mecca Would eventually lead to armed conflict

Raid Muhammad led a raid on Meccan caravan Caravan was guarded and led to a battle Muhammad outnumbered 300 to 900

Battle of Badr Both Armies wanted to reach the wells of Badr Muslims forces reached the wells first Meccan troops decided to fight despite caravan being safe Partly for blood vengence

Battle of Badr Started with 3 on 3 champion fight. Muslims kill all 3. Each side exchange arrow volleys Muslims charge and Meccans break and run 14 Muslims killed, 70 Meccans killed and 70 captured

Aftermath Strengthened Muhammad’s position Meccans wanted revenge Marched on Mecca with 3000 men

Options Stay within stronghold of Medina Meet Meccans in battle Picked B

Battle of Uhud Medina Mecca 700 infantry 50 archers 4 cavalry 3000 camels 200 cavalry

Battle of Uhud A group of Muslims defected Defended on flank with archers "If you saw us prevail and start to take spoils, do not come to assist us. And if you saw us get vanquished and birds eat from our heads, do not come to assist us." One flank with a mountain

Fight for Standard Meccan Standard bearer challenged cousin of Muhammad He was killed One by one his cousins attacked and perished

General Engagement Muslim forces having success Success seems certain Archers disobey Muhammas and left position to join in spoils Meccan cavalry attack now exposed flank and win. Muslims retreat with 75 kills. Meccans with 37. Meccans marched home

Battle of the Trench Mecca gather 10,000 men and marched on Medina Muhammad had 3,000 Muslims dug trenches where ever they were vulnerable to cavalry Stood on opposite ends conducting slam poetry warfare Until a neutral Jewish tribe flipped against the Muslims

Collapse of the Confederacy Thru treachery Muhammad collapsed his enemies Massacred the Jewish tribes Treaty of Hudaybiyyah created temperary peace