The World of Islam Part #1 From the Internet

The World of Islam Part #1

Description of the origin, beliefs, traditions, customs, and spread of Islam Origins of Islam Muhammad, the Prophet Mecca and Medina on the Arabian Peninsula: Early Muslim cities Spread of Islam Across Asia and Africa, and into Spain Geographic extent of first Muslim empire Beliefs, traditions, and customs of Islam Monotheism (Allah, Arabic word for “God”) Quran: The word of God Five pillars of Islam Acceptance of Judeo-Christian prophets, including Moses and Jesus

Assessing the influence of geography on Islamic economic, social, and political development, including the impact of conquest and trade Geographic influences on the origin and spread of Islam Diffusion along trade routes from Mecca and Medina Expansion despite great distances, desert environments, and mountain barriers Spread into the Fertile Crescent, Iran, and Central Asia, facilitated by weak Byzantine and Persian empires Geographic influences on economic, social, and political development Political unity of the first Muslim empire was short-lived. Arabic language spread with Islam and facilitated trade across Islamic lands. Slavery was not based on race.

Identifying historical turning points that affected the spread and influence of Islamic civilization, with emphasis on the Sunni-Shi’a division, and the Battle of Tours Historical turning points Death of Ali - Sunni-Shi’a division Muslim conquest of Jerusalem and Damascus Islamic capital moved to Baghdad Muslim defeat at the Battle of Tours Fall of Baghdad to the Mongols

Citing cultural and scientific contributions and achievements of Islamic civilization. Cultural contributions and achievements Architecture (Dome of the Rock) Mosaics Arabic alphabet Universities Translation of ancient texts into Arabic Scientific contributions and achievements Arabic numerals (adapted from India, including zero) Algebra Medicine Expansion of geographic knowledge

The Rise of Islam The Arabs Arose in the Arabian Peninsula and influenced Western Asia and beyond. They were a nomadic, Semitic-speaking people who lived in the arid climate of the Arabian Peninsula. The environment was harsh, they were organized into tribes and were led by a sheikh who was chosen from a council of elders. The tribes were independent, but worked together

Before Islam: Early Religion Most Early Arabs were polytheistic, many recognized a chief, or supreme god who they called Allah which is Arabic for “God.” They worshiped idols. The Ka’ba was located in the city of Mecca in what is now Saudi Arabia.

Trade The Arabian Peninsula became an important center for trade. The city of Mecca became rich from the caravan trade traffic which passed through the area. The camel enabled traffic to cross the deserts and as empires grew up in the region trade increased greatly. As the merchants became rich from the Caravan traffic the life of the poor people of the area suffered.

The Life of Muhammad Muhammad was born in Mecca in present-day Saudi Arabia to a merchant family. His father died before he was born, and his mother died when he was young. He ended up living with his uncle who was a merchant and he became a caravan manager. Muhammad in Arabic Calligraphy

Muhammad married an older widow named Khadijah. Over time, he found the richness and corruption of the merchants and townspeople to be extremely troubling. He decided to visit the mountain to meditate. Muslims believe that while he was meditating in the mountain he received revelations from God through the Angel Gabriel.

Muhammad’s Revelation The Angel Gabriel told Muhammad to recite what he heard, it was believed that Allah had already revealed His message through Moses and Jesus, but now had the Final revelation for man. This final revelation became the religion of Islam. Which means submission to the will of God.

The Quran The revelations to Muhammad were written down by scribes and became known as The Quran, which is the holy book of Islam. The Quran contains ethical guidelines and laws by which Muslims (followers of Islam) should live their lives.

The Nature of The Quran The Quran is written in Arabic. The Quran is considered to only be true when it is written in its original language. Translations are thought to lose the true meaning of the original words which are believed to be a direct Revelation from God. The Muslim observance of Ramadhan also commemorates the recording of the holy text.

After the Revelation After Muhammad received his revelation he went to his wife Khadijah, she was his first convert to the new religion. He began to try to convert the people of Mecca to his message, but with limited success. After thirteen years he was welcomed in the city of Yathrib, which later became Medina. This flight, or migration, is known as the Hijrah and marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. This was in the year 622 CE.

Acceptance in the city of the Prophet In Yathrib, renamed Medina (which means the city of the prophet) Muhammad was welcomed and gained followers steadily. Two tribes which converted to the new religion of Islam were known as Khazraj and Aus. This new community became the first to practice the religion collectively. Muhammad was both a spiritual and political leader, there was not an idea of the separation of church and state. He conquered the city of Mecca without a bloodshed, and forgave his enemies.

The Ka’ba After Muhammad took the city of Mecca he cleansed the Ka’ba of idols and dedicated it to God Almighty. All Muslims are encouraged to make a pilgrimage to Mecca (known as the Haj) at least once in their life if they are physically and financially able.

The Teachings of Muhammad Islam is Monotheistic, like Judaism and Christianity. Islam teaches a belief in an afterlife, those who hope to achieve this afterlife must submit to the will of Allah. Muslims do not believe that Muhammad was divine, they believe that he was a man. Islam is seen not just as a religion, but as a way of life.

Muslims believe that Islam was God’s final revelation for mankind. Muslims feel that in order to achieve salvation that they must obey the will of Allah, or God. In order to do this they must follow the five major principles of Islam known as the Five Pillars of Islam.

The Five Pillars of Islam 1-Declaration of Faith – Muslims must state that there is no Deity but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet. 2. Daily Prayer – Muslims pray five times a day facing the Ka’ba in Mecca. Pre Dawn Noon Afternoon Sunset Evening

Five Pillars Continued Charity – Muslims are supposed to help others and donate part of their income to charity. 4. Fasting-Ramadhan Muslims must fast from dawn to sunset during the holy month of Ramadhan which celebrates the recording of the Quran.

Haj 5. Pilgrimage: Haj – The fifth pillar of Islam is the Haj. – Once in a lifetime, if they are physically and financially able, Muslims are to journey to Mecca (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia and perform the rituals of the Haj.

Islamic Law After the death of Muhammad there were further interpretations of his teachings. These are known as the Hadith. There are different versions of the Hadith for different branches of Islam. These teachings were further interpreted in the Shari’ah. This is a set of laws which regulate many aspects of Muslim life. It does not separate between church and state and covers family life, business, government, and moral conduct. Muslims are expected to practice honesty and justice in dealing with others and are forbidden to gamble, eat pork, drink alcohol, or engage in dishonest behavior.

Facts about Islam Quran (Koran)-Holy book of Islam Muslim- A follower of Islam Mosque- A Muslim House of Worship Minarets- The towers located on a Mosque from which the Mu’athin calls the faithful to prayer. Minaret

The Arab Empire and its Successors

Creation of an Arab Empire After the death of Muhammad, unity was difficult to maintain. The friend and father-in-law of Muhammad, Abu Bakr, was chosen to be the first Caliph, or successor to Muhammad. Abu Bakr helped to unify the Muslim world and expanded in Arabia and beyond. Under the idea of jihad, or “struggle in the way of God” the early Muslims expanded their territory. The believed that defensive warfare was permitted by the Quran.

Arab Rule The Arabs were now united and had expanded their territory instead of fighting each other. They defeated the Byzantine army in 636 taking the province of Syria. By 642 they took Egypt and by 650 they controlled the Persian Empire

After Abu Bakr died Omar became the next Khalifa. The 2 nd and 3 rd Khalifas were both assassinated. After that Ali (Muhammad’s son-in-law) was Elected as the Khalifa, but five years later he too was assassinated.

Administration Muslims administrators were fairly tolerant of the people they defeated. Initially, both Christians and Jews were allowed to practice their religions because they were “People of the Book” who had written scriptures revealed to them by God before the time of Muhammad. Those who chose not to convert had to be loyal to the Muslim state and pay a special tax.

The Umayya Dynasty At the beginning of the eighth century Islam had expanded across northern Africa and had converted the Berbers (a pastoral people along the Mediterranean coast) to the faith. By 710 combined Berber and Arab forces crossed the Strait of Gibraltar into Spain and had taken most of the country by 725. In 732, however, the Muslim advance into Europe was halted at the Battle of Tours.

By 750 the Muslim advance came to an end. The southern and eastern Mediterranean and parts of the old Roman Empire were now Muslim territory. The Umayyad Dynasty was centered in Damascus, in modern-day Syria and was wealthy. This was also a very diverse empire as many different peoples had been conquered in new territory. The diversity helped lead to a split within the Islamic faith

A Split in Islam Many non-Arab Muslims resent the favoritism which the Umayya Empire showed toward Arabs. The large empire was difficult to rule efficiently and there were financial problems as well.

The Revolt of Hussein The grandson of Muhammad, Hussein, led a revolt against the Umayyad Empire in 680. His solders defected and he was killed by an overwhelming Umayyad force. This struggle led to a split within the faith of Islam between Sunni and Shi’a (Shiite) Muslims.

Sunni vs. Shi’a (Shiite) Sunni Muslims supported the Umayyad Dynasty. They believe the Caliph does not need to be a direct descendant of Muhammad. Shi’a Muslims supported Hussein and believe that the Caliph should be a direct descendant of Muhammad through his son-in-law Ali and his grandson.

Umayya Architecture

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