Chapter 9: Islam and the Arab Empire

Do Now: What are some of the characteristics of a world religion?

Characteristics of World Religions God/Gods Holy Book Location Beliefs Prayers

The First Muslims 7th century Arab people Nomads and organized tribes Tribes were independent Came fro the Arabian Peninsula- desert land Arabs were farmers and sheepherders Towns developed along the routes Arabs used to trade

Early Arabs Early Arabs were polytheistic When Islam became a religion- switched to monotheism Muslim people believe in one god named Allah Muslim people worship a massive black meteorite

Kaaba

Life of Muhammad Born in Mecca Merchant family Orphaned at 5 Became a caravan manager Married a rich widow Khadija Muslims believe Muhammad received revelations from God through the angel Gabriel

Muhammad Muhammad knew of Judaism and Christianity Muhammad believed that the final revelations of Allah were given to him The revelations were written down: Quran Quran is the holy book of Islam. Means “peace through submission to the will of Allah” Quran contains ethical guidelines and laws by which the followers of Allah are to live

Muhammad Muhammad returned home after revelations Wife- Khadija- urged Muhammad to follow the message Khadija was the first to convert to Islam Muhammad later set out to convert others Wealthy did not like his message- they feared it would disrupt social and political order in Arabian Peninsula Muhammad’s followers were persecuted Muhammad and followers fled from Mecca to Medina

Hijrah- Move from Mecca to Medina

From Mecca to Medina Muhammad and closest followers moved from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE Medina “city of the prophet” Journey from Mecca to Medina is known as the Hijrah Medina supporters of Muhammad- known as Bedouins Muhammad became a political and religious leader

From Medina to Mecca Muhammad and followers went back to Mecca in 630 CE Muhammad visited the Kaaba and declared it a religious shrine All Muslims are strongly encouraged to make the pilgrimage to the Kaaba- known as the hajj

The Five Pillars

Faith Declaring that there is only one god, Allah Allah is all powerful being who created the universe and everything in it Islam emphasizes salvation and offers hope of an afterlife

Salat (prayer) Muslims pray five times a day facing their holy city of Mecca. Usually pray on a prayer mat/rug

Zakat (alms/charity) Giving money and services to the poor

Sawm- fasting Muslims fast during the feast of Ramadan Ramadan is a month long celebration Muslims refrain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset

Hajj- Pilgrimage Pilgrimage to Mecca to see the Kaaba

Ramadan A month long (changes every year) From dawn to sunset- no eating, drinking, smoking, or “indulging” Ask for forgiveness

Jihad Means “to struggle in God’s service” Personal duty Focus on overcoming immortality within themselves Holy war to defend Islam and the Muslim community A “just” holy war may be only declared by the community, not by an individual or small group

Mosque Muslim place of worship

Rules of Behavior Must practice honesty and justice in dealing with others Forbidden to gamble, eat pork, drink alcohol, engage in dishonest behavior Family life based on marriage Women must wear veils: Hijab- general term for veil; headscarf covering face and neck Chador- cloak that covers the full body with a headscarf under Burka- a veil that completely covers the body and face

Hijab

Chador

Burka

Quran Revelations of Muhammad Final authority on all matters and provides a guide to life for Muslims Direct and unchangeable word from God Converts to Islam must learn Arabic to understand the text completely

Shari’ah Helps people interpret the Quran This system of law acted as means to unite Muslims of differing backgrounds Regulates moral behavior, family life, business, government, community

Caliphate Please take out your chapter 9 outline.

Umayyad Dynasty 661-750 CE Mu’awiyah Governor of Syria Rival to Ali Muhammad’s son-in-law who was assassinated Became caliph Made caliph office hereditary Making the caliph hereditary and not from the family of Muhammad would cause a split in Islam

Split of Islam Please take out your chapter 9 outline

Abbasid Dynasty Abu al-Abbas overthrew the Umayyad and established the Abbasid Dynasty Ruled from 750-1200s Descendants of Muhammad’s uncle Built a new capital in Baghdad Increased Persian influence Baghdad became the center of trade that extended into Asia, Africa, and Europe

Golden Age of Abbasid Caliphate Know for charity and lavish support on artists and writers During this time, Arabs conquered many of the richest provinces of the Roman Empire and controlled trade routes to the East. Baghdad became the center of trade Spread of knowledge

Decline and Division Fighting over the succession of the caliphate Harun al-Rashid- two sons fought to succeed him- almost destroyed the city of Baghdad Financial corruption Caliphs began to recruit officials from among non-Arabs such as Persian and Turks

Trade Sahara- gold and slaves China- silk and porcelain Eastern Africa- gold and ivory Southeast Asia and India- sandalwood and spices Egypt- grain Iraq- linens, dates, precious stone Trade caused the rise of Fatimids- trade center shifted from Baghdad to Cairo

Islamic Society Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus were centers of cultural, administrative, and economic activity Islamic cities- had palaces for caliphs and local governors and great mosques for worship Bazaar- covered market According to Islam- all are equal in the eyes of Allah