Golden Age of Islam

Islam  An Abrahamic Religion  Muslims are strict monotheists.  They believe in the Judeo- Christian God, which they call Allah.  Muslims believe that the Torah and the Bible, like the Qur’an, is the word of God. Peoples of the Book

The Prophetic Tradition Adam Noah Abraham Moses Jesus Muhammad

The Qur’an  Muslims believe it contains the word of God.  114 suras (chapters).  In the name of Allah, the compassionate, the merciful.  Written in Arabic.

The Mosque  The Muslim place of worship.

Other Islamic Religious Practices  Up to four wives allowed at once.  No alcohol or pork.  No gambling.  Sharia  body of Islamic law to regulate daily living.  Three holiest cities in Islam: * Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem.

Essential Question: Why was Islam able to spread so quickly and convert so many to the new religion?

The Spread of Islam  Easy to learn and practice.  No priesthood.  Teaches equality.  Non-Muslims, who were “Peoples of the Book,” were allowed religious freedom, but paid additional taxes.  Easily “portable”  nomads & trade routes.  Holy War against pagans and other non-believers (“infidels”).

Countries with the Largest Muslim Population 1.Indonesia183,000,0006.Iran62,000,000 2.Pakistan134,000,0007.Egypt59,000,000 3.India121,000,0008.Nigeria53,000,000 4.Bangladesh114,000,0009.Algeria31,000,000 5.Turkey66,000,00010.Morocco29,000,000 * Arabs make up only 20% of the total Muslim population of the world.

Dar-al Islam Spread of Islam

Umayyad Caliphate 661–750

Caliphate of Cordoba ( Caliphate of Cordoba (929–1031)

Abbasid Caliphate 750–1258

The Dome of the Rock Shrine in Jerusalem Mount Moriah Rock This stone is believed to be the place from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended into heaven during his Night Journey to heaven. (Jews believed, and still believe, the rock to be the very place where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac)

GOLDEN AGE OF ISLAM Blue Mosque Located in Istanbul and was capital of the Ottoman Empire from 1453 to 1923.

Hagia Sophia

Muslim Culture in NYC The Islamic Center, New York City

Ottoman Empire 1299–1922 (last caliphate)