Chapter 11 The Islamic World Section 1 The Rise of Islam

Arabia: It’s Geography & People The Arabian Peninsula is bordered on the south by the Arabian Sea, the Syrian Desert in the north, the Persian Gulf in the east and the Red Sea in the west Except for the strips along the gulf most of the Arabian Peninsula in desert {Because of the climate and geography, most early Arabs were nomadic herders called bedouins} {The bedouins were separated into tribes the leaders of these tribes were called Sheikhs} Areas along the coast were heavily populated and used as ports. From there the goods were transported to the city of Mecca {Mecca was important because it was on a trade route to Syria}

Mecca

The Prophet Muhammad At the age of 40 a man from Mecca named Muhammad said that the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) told him that he was to be a prophet of God (Allah) {Muhammad’s teachings clashed with Arab powers because it was monotheistic} Every year Arab pilgrims came to Mecca to worship at the {Kaaba- a stone building filled with idols} Rulers feared that Muhammad’s teachings of one god might stop the pilgrimages. They began harassing Muhammad and him followers Eventually Muhammad and his followers looked for a more accepting place

Kaaba

Continued… In A.D. 622 Muhammad and his followers settled in the town of Yathrib which later became known as {Medina and became the first base of Islam} Their journey from Mecca to Yathrib is known as the hijrah Muhammad gained followers in great numbers, increasing tensions between Mecca and Medina Several years of war ensued until finally Mecca surrendered Muhammad went back to Mecca and destroyed the idols in the Kaaba and made it a holy place to the worship of the One God, Allah Islam spread across Arabia and the Middle East and into North Africa

Medina today

The Faith of Islam In Arabic the word Islam means “submission to the will of God” Followers of Islam are called Muslims The holy book of Islam is called the Qur’an There are 5 basic acts of worship called the Five Pillars of Islam all Muslims are required to follow The Five Pillars of Islam are: the profession of faith, the five daily prayers, paying zakat, fasting through the holy month of Ramadan, and making the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once Islam also emphasizes the importance of the {Jihad- the struggle to defend the faith}

Qur'an on display at the Islamic Arts Museum, Kuala Lumpur

Continued… Muslims worship in mosques they have no furnishings only mats or rugs on which to kneel and pray {There is no official clergy in Islam} {Men who are trained in the Qur’an and Islamic law guide the people in worship} On Friday at noon, Muslims gather together for congressional prayer and sermons Women say the same prayers at home or in a section of the mosque that is set aside for them

Section Review Because of the climate and geography, most early Arabs were _______ _______ called bedouins The bedouins were separated into tribes what were the leaders of these tribes called? Why was Mecca so important? Muhammad’s teachings clashed with Arab powers because it was _________ Every year Arab pilgrims came to _____ to worship at the Kaaba- a stone building filled with idols What and became the first base of Islam?