The Muslim World Chapter 11

Muhammad and the Rise of Islam Muhammad Born in Mecca around 570 AD. Born in Mecca around 570 AD. Orphaned at a young age and raised by his uncle Orphaned at a young age and raised by his uncle Worked as a shepherd among the Bedouins Worked as a shepherd among the Bedouins Also worked as a merchant in Mecca Also worked as a merchant in Mecca –Mecca was a center of trade and site of the Kaaba Married Khadija at age 25 Married Khadija at age 25 –Wealthy older widow who ran a caravan business

The Rise of Islam Muhammad had been exposed to Judaism and Christianity because of where he lived Muhammad had been exposed to Judaism and Christianity because of where he lived Troubled by the idol worship of the Arabs Troubled by the idol worship of the Arabs Would go to a desert cave to meditate and pray Would go to a desert cave to meditate and pray –Did this because he was concerned with the lack of morals in society At age 40, the angel Gabriel came to him in a vision At age 40, the angel Gabriel came to him in a vision –Urged him to believe in one god and submit to one god Muhammad was terrified and confused Muhammad was terrified and confused His wife, Khadija, urged him to accept the message His wife, Khadija, urged him to accept the message Khadija became the first convert to Islam Khadija became the first convert to Islam

At first, few people listened to Muhammad At first, few people listened to Muhammad In 622, upon threat of his life, Muhammad and his followers left Mecca for Yathrib In 622, upon threat of his life, Muhammad and his followers left Mecca for Yathrib This became known as the Hijra…a journey This became known as the Hijra…a journey The hijra was important because The hijra was important because –Welcomed Muhammad and made him ruler –Led thousands of people to convert Yathrib was later renamed, Medina which means “city of the prophet” Yathrib was later renamed, Medina which means “city of the prophet” Also, became the site of the first mosque Also, became the site of the first mosque 622 became the first year of the Muslim calender 622 became the first year of the Muslim calender

Muhammad was welcomed in Medina as ruler, lawgiver, and prophet by Muslim converts Muhammad was welcomed in Medina as ruler, lawgiver, and prophet by Muslim converts Muslims launched attacks on Meccan caravans and defeated the Meccans in battle Muslims launched attacks on Meccan caravans and defeated the Meccans in battle Muhammad returned to Mecca in 630 Muhammad returned to Mecca in 630 –Destroyed the statues/idols in the Kaaba –Made the Kaaba Islams holiest place –Arabs became convinced he was a prophet Muhammad died in 632 Muhammad died in 632 –By his death most of Arabia had accepted Islam After his death, Abu Bakr was elected the first Caliph, or successor to Muhammad After his death, Abu Bakr was elected the first Caliph, or successor to Muhammad

Muhammad was welcomed in Medina as ruler, lawgiver, and prophet by Muslim converts Muhammad was welcomed in Medina as ruler, lawgiver, and prophet by Muslim converts Muslims launched attacks on Meccan caravans and defeated the Meccans in battle Muslims launched attacks on Meccan caravans and defeated the Meccans in battle Muhammad returned to Mecca in 630 Muhammad returned to Mecca in 630 Muhammad died in 632 Muhammad died in 632 After his death, Abu Bakr was elected the first Caliph, or successor to Muhammad After his death, Abu Bakr was elected the first Caliph, or successor to Muhammad

The First 4 Caliphs Abu Bakr ( ) Abu Bakr ( ) –Muhammed’s father in law from his second wife –Died of natural causes Umar ibn al-Khattab ( ) Umar ibn al-Khattab ( ) –Apponted by Abu Bakr Uthman ibn Affan ( ) Uthman ibn Affan ( ) –Elected by a council Ali ibn Abu Talib ( ) Ali ibn Abu Talib ( ) –Elected by a council –Muhammad’s son-in-law –Assassinated

Differences between Sunni and Shiite Sunni Shiite Believed the Caliph should be chosen by leaders of the Muslim community Believed the Caliph should be chosen by leaders of the Muslim community Had no religious authority Had no religious authority Holy cities are Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem Holy cities are Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem 90% of Muslim population 90% of Muslim population Believed only true successors to Muhammad were descendants of Ali and Fatima Believed only true successors to Muhammad were descendants of Ali and Fatima Believed the Caliphs were divinely inspired Believed the Caliphs were divinely inspired Located mostly in Iran, Iraq, and Yemen Located mostly in Iran, Iraq, and Yemen Holy cities are Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem, Najaf, and Karbala Holy cities are Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem, Najaf, and Karbala 10% of Muslim population 10% of Muslim population