Chapter 12: the Islamic World Section 1: The Roots of Islam

Life in a Desert Land The Arabian Peninsula lies near the intersection of Africa, Asia, and Europe. Arabia lies in a region with hot, dry air. The climate has created a band of deserts across Arabia and northern Africa. The desert has limited water, which is located mainly in oasis. An oasis is a wet, fertile area in a desert.

Two Ways of Life In a nomadic life, people moved from place to place within tribes for protection and as the seasons changed. Sedentary people settled in oases, where they could farm. These settlements often became towns. Towns became centers of trade. Many had a market or bazaar where goods were traded.

A New Religion A man named Muhammad taught a new religion to the people of Arabia. Muslims believe that God spoke to Muhammad through an angel and made him a prophet. The messages he received were the basis for Islam and were collected in the holy book of Islam called the Qur’an.

Muhammad’s Teachings Muhammad taught that there is only one God, Allah, which means “the God” in Arabic. This is similar to Christianity and Judaism. Muhammad’s teachings were new to Arabs, who worshipped many gods. This teaching upset some people. Muhammad said the rich and poor should be equal. Many wealthy merchants did not like this idea.

Islam Spreads in Arabia Islam spread from Mecca to Medina. Rulers of Mecca began to threaten Muhammad with violence as Islam started to influence more people. Muhammad left Mecca and went to Medina. This departure became known in Muslim history as the hegira, or journey. Islam thrived in Medina, and other Arab tribes in the region accepted Islam.

Islam Spreads in Arabia Muhammad’s house became the first mosque, or building for Muslim prayer. Muslim communities in Medina grew stronger, and other Arab tribes accepted Islam. Mecca finally accepted Islam as its religion in 630.

Chapter 12: the Islamic World Section 2: Islamic Beliefs and Practices

The Qur’an The world has a definite end, and on that final day, God will judge all people. The Qur’an sets out guidelines for moral behavior, acts of worship, and rules for social life Muslims were encouraged to free slaves. Women could own property, earn money, and receive an education. The Qur’an discusses Jihad, which means to make an effort, or to struggle. Jihad refers to the inner struggle people go through in their effort to obey God and behave according to Islamic ways. Jihad can also mean the struggle to defend the Muslim community, or historically, to convert people to Islam. The word has also been translated as “holy war.”

The Sunnah The hadith is the written record of Muhammad’s words and actions. It is the basis for the Sunnah. The Sunnah provides a model for the duties and way of life expected of Muslims. The first duties of a Muslim are known as the Five Pillars of Islam, which are five acts of worship required of all Muslims.

The Five Pillars of Islam Saying “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is his prophet” Praying five times a day Giving to the poor and needy Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan Traveling to Mecca at least once on a hajj

Islamic Law The Qur’an and the Sunnah form the basis of Islamic law, or Shariah. Shariah is a system based on Islamic sources and human reason that judges the rightness of actions taken.

Chapter 12: the Islamic World Section 3: Islamic Empires

Muslim Armies Conquer Many Lands After Muhammad’s death, Abu Bakr became the first caliph, the title that Muslims use for the highest leader of Islam. Caliphs were not religious leaders, but political and military leaders. Abu Bakr directed a series of battles against Arab tribes who did not follow Muhammad’s teachings.

Growth of the Empire Muslim armies battled tribes that did not follow Muhammad’s teachings. The Muslim armies united Arabia, then defeated the Persian and Byzantine empires. Conquered people could not build new churches or dress like Muslims. Christians and Jews could continue to practice their own religion. After years of fighting Muslim armies, many Berbers, a native people of North Africa, converted to Islam and joined forces with the Arabs. A combined Berber and Arab army invaded Spain and conquered it in AD 711.

Trade Helps Islam Spread Along with their trade goods, Arab merchants took Islamic beliefs to new lands. Islam spread to India, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Trade brought new products to Muslim lands. Travelers learned how to make paper from the Chinese. Merchants brought crops of cotton, rice, and oranges from India, China, and Southeast Asia. Muslim merchants set up trade businesses in Africa.

A Mix of Cultures As Islam spread through trade, warfare, and treaties, Arabs came into contact with people who had different beliefs and lifestyles. Language and religion helped unify many groups that became part of the Islamic world. Muslims generally practiced tolerance, or acceptance, with regard to these people. Jews and Christians, in particular, could keep their beliefs.

Growth of Cities Baghdad Cordoba Capital of Islamic Empire One of the world’s richest cities through trade and farming. Center of culture and learning By the AD 900s, was the largest and most advanced city in Europe Showplace of Muslim civilization

Three Muslim Empires The great era of Arab Muslim expansion lasted until the 1100s. Three non-Arab Muslim groups built large, powerful empires that took control of much of Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The Ottoman Empire Ottomans were Muslim Turkish warriors who took territory in the mid-1200s. The Ottomans were aided by slave soldiers called Janissaries. They had new gunpowder weapons. Mehmed II and Suleyman I led conquests that turned the Ottomans into a world power. During Suleyman’s rule, the Ottoman Empire reached its height. Ottomans took control of the eastern Mediterranean and pushed farther into Europe from 1520–1566. They would control these areas until the early 1800s.

The Safavid Empire Begins Safavids were Persian Muslims. A conflict arose over who should be caliph among the Safavids, Ottomans, and other Muslims. Islam split into two groups. The Shia thought that only members of Muhammad’s family could become caliphs. The Sunni thought it did not matter as long as they were good Muslims and strong leaders.

The Safavid Empire Begins The Safavid Empire began in 1501 when the Safavid leader Esma‘il conquered Persia and made himself shah, or king. He made Shiism, the beliefs of the Shia, the official religion of the empire. ‘Abbas became shah in 1588. He became the greatest Safavid leader. He defeated the Uzbeks and took back lands that had been lost to the Ottomans. The Safavids blended Persian and Muslim traditions. The Safavid Empire lasted until the mid-1700s.

The Mughal Empire The Mughal Empire was located in northern India and was comprised of Turkish Muslims from Central Asia. Babur established the Mughal Empire, but it grew mostly under an emperor named Akbar. Akbar’s tolerant policies allowed Muslims and Hindus to live in peace. In the late 1600s, an emperor reversed the tolerant policies, which led to conflicts and the end of the empire.

Chapter 12: the Islamic World Section 4: Cultural Achievements

Cultural Achievements Muslim scholars made advances in astronomy, geography, math, and science. Many ancient writings were translated into Arabic.

Cultural Achievements Geography Math Astronomy Geographers made more accurate maps than before and developed better ways of calculating distances. They combined the Indian number system, including the use of zero, with the Greek science of mathematics. One mathematician laid the foundations for modern algebra. They made improvements to the astrolabe, which the Greeks had invented to chart the positions of the stars. Many cities had observatories where people could study the sun, moon, and stars.

More Scholarly Achievements Medicine Philosophy The Muslims’ greatest scientific achievements may have come in medicine. Muslims started the first pharmacy school to teach people how to make medicine. A doctor discovered how to treat smallpox. Another doctor, known in the west as Avicenna, wrote a medical encyclopedia. Muslim philosophy focused on spiritual issues, which led to a movement called Sufism, and on rational thought. Sufism teaches that people can find God’s love by having a personal relationship with God.

Literature and the Arts Architectural Two forms of literature were popular in the Muslim world— poetry and short stories. The greatest architectural achievements were mosques. They often had a dome and minarets—narrow towers from which Muslims are called to prayer. Patrons, or sponsors, used their wealth to pay for elaborately decorated mosques.

More Islamic Influences Art Because they could not represent people or animals in paintings due to their religion, Muslim artists turned calligraphy, or decorative writing, into an art form. They used this technique to decorate buildings and mosques.