Origins of Islam

The Middle East The city of Mecca was a major trading center and is the place where Islam began.

The Founder of Islam is Muhammad. He lived in Mecca and had a vision where the angel Gabriel appeared and told him that he was a prophet. He wrote down the messages he received and this became the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam.

Did you know? Islam is a monotheistic religion, just like Judaism and Christianity. That means it is based on a belief in only one God. Polytheism is the belief of many gods.

Christianity The Holy Book is the Bible. All Three All three began in the same part of the world. All three are monotheistic religions. All three have similar ideas. All three recognize many of the same Prophets. Judaism Islam The holy book is the Torah. The holy book is the Qur’an.

Islam The messages that Muhammad received became the basis of this religion.

Muslim A follower of Islam

Challenges to Old Ideas Many people in Arabia believed in many gods. Arabian merchants disliked Muhammad’s teachings.

Islam Spreads in Arabia: Muhammad flees Mecca to Medina (Hegira). In Medina Muhammad becomes a spiritual and political leader. By 630 Mecca accepts the teachings of Muhammad.

Mosque A building for Muslim prayer.

Pilgrimage A journey to a sacred place.

Islamic Beliefs and Practices

The Qur’an Holy book of Islam, which describes acts of worship, guidelines for moral behavior and rules for moral behavior.

The Sunnah Refers to the way Muhammad lived, which provides a model for the duties and the way of life expected of Muslims.

Muslims follow the Five Pillars of Islam, which are five acts of worship required of all Muslims. day.

Sources of Islamic Law and Beliefs Qur’an Sunnah Shariah Holy book that includes the messages Muhammad received from God. Muhammad’s example for the duties and way of life expected of all Muslims. Islamic law, based on interpretations of the Qur’an and the Sunnah.

The Expansion of Islam. Standard 7.2

Expansion of Islam After Muhammad’s death his followers quickly chose Abu Bakr to be the next leader of Islam. He was the first caliph a title reserved for the highest Islamic leader.

As caliph, Abu Bakr was a political and military leader, but not a religious leader. Through war he unified Arabia for the first time.

The Umayyad The next several caliphs came from the Umayyad family. They conquered lands in Asia, Africa and Europe.

TRADE HELPS ISLAM SPREAD Arab merchants took Islamic beliefs and practices with them to new lands. The merchants would bring back new products and inventions. Arabs learned how to make paper from the Chinese.

BAGHDAD Capital of Islamic Empire in 672. Major trading center.

CORDOBA By the early 900’s, Cordoba was the largest and most advanced city in Europe. It was a great center of learning. Cordoba was also the center of Jewish culture. GREAT MOSQUE

A MIX OF CULTURES Muslims generally practiced tolerance, or acceptance, of the non-Muslims. Jews and Christians, who shared some Muslim beliefs, were allowed to practice their own religion.

Shia Sunni Similarity Muslims who thought that only members of Muhammad’s family could become caliphs. Muslims Groups These differences have developed into violence. Did not think caliphs had to be related to Muhammad as long as they were good Muslims and strong leaders.

Muslim Cultural Achievements Scholars translated many ancient writings in astronomy, geography, math, and science from Greeks and Romans into Arabic. Then they improved upon what they learned. Astronomy Muslim scientists made remarkable advances in astronomy. Geography Muslim geographers made more accurate maps than were available before. They also developed better ways of calculating distances. Astrolabe Arab scholars improved upon this invention to figure out their location on the earth. Medicine Muslim doctors developed better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat many diseases.

More Muslim Contributions Literature Poetry and short stories influenced by Islam were popular in the Muslim world. Math Muslim scholars laid the foundation for Algebra by combining two systems of mathematics from Indian and Greek systems. Philosophy Muslim philosophy led to the development of Sufism. Sufis celebrated their love of God through music and dance. More Muslim Contributions Art Muslim artists did not include people or animals in art, so they turned calligraphy, or decorative writing, into an art form. They used calligraphy to make sayings from the Qur’an into great works of art that they could use to decorate mosques.

Practice Test Question Muslim scholars and artists did all of the following except Preserve ancient Greek writings. Create unique Islamic works of art. Preserve written Roman laws. Make important advances in astronomy and geography. The correct answer is C.

Practice Test Question What is one way Islam is like Judaism and Christianity? It is also a monotheistic religion. It was also founded by Muhammad. It also arose in the desert country of Arabia. It also uses the New and Old Testaments. The correct answer is A.

Practice Test Question Which statement does NOT describe the geography of Arabia? There is little water or rainfall. It is mostly a hot, dry, desert. Mountains border the coasts. Rivers and lakes exist in the north. The correct answer is D.

Practice Test Question Which of the following is NOT one of Muhammad’s teachings? There is only one God, Allah. The rich should help the poor. All people are equal. It is right to worship many gods. The correct answer is D.

Practice Test Question Fertile areas in deserts are called Trade centers. Dunes. Oases. Sand lakes. The correct answer is C.

Christianity All Three Judaism Islam

Sources of Islamic Law Qur’an Sunnah Shariah

Shia Sunni Similarity