The Arabian Peninsula Geography Located between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. Connected three continents (Europe, Africa, and Asia). Had access to the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean. Mostly desert with small areas of fertile land on the coast.

Day 1: The Origins of Islam Unit 2: The Rise and Spread of Islam Day 1: The Origins of Islam

Arabian Peninsula Early People known as Arabs. Earliest Arabs were Bedouins → Nomads (cattle herders/traders). Later Arabs settled in the coastal areas with fertile soil.

Arabian Peninsula Cont…. Trade on the Peninsula Farming communities eventually flourished as trade centers. Camel caravans carried goods. written language (Arabic) Traded goods such as incense and Myrrh and spread Arab culture.

Arabian Peninsula Cont… Trade on the Peninsula cont.. contact with monotheistic religions → influences Bedouin and Arabic religions. became a crossroad between western and eastern trading settlements.

Muhammad and the Birth of Islam Wealthy Arab trader. Believed to have experienced a revelation at the age of 40 While meditating outside a cave, the angel Gabriel appeared before Muhammad. Muhammad believed that God (Allah) spoke to him through Gabriel.

Muhammad and the Birth of Islam Cont… Muhammad believed that he was the last prophet and taught that Allah was the only God (monotheism) and all others should be abandoned. Muhammad’s followers were the first Muslims (one who has submitted).

Major Beliefs of Islam Monotheistic religion: Allah = God. Holy book/sacred text: Qur’an (Koran) Gabriel revealed the content for the Qur’an to Muhammad. Written and preached in Arabic, the “only true word of God” according to Muslims.

Major Beliefs of Islam Cont… Sacred Cities = Mecca and Medina Mecca Important trade center and religious site. Contained the Kaaba, the holiest Islamic shrine (religious building) Muslims face during prayer. Destination city for the pilgrimage (religious journey).

Major Beliefs of Islam Cont… Five Pillars of Islam- Duties to be carried out by all Muslims that displays their submission to Allah Faith: Must proclaim that Allah is the only God and Muhammad is his messenger. Prayer: Must pray five times a day, facing Mecca. Alms: Providing money to the poor. Fasting: Eat and drink nothing between sunrise and sunset during the month of Ramadan. Pilgrimage: All Muslims must perform the hajj to Mecca once in their lifetime.

Major Beliefs of Islam Cont… Accept many Christian and Jewish figures as prophets. Jesus is an important prophet, not the Son of God. Abraham & Moses. Islamic places of worship are called Mosques.