The Origins and Spread of Islam Chapter 7

To Get Us Thinking: In Class Assignments notebook answer these questions: What is Islam? What does the faith value? What do Muslims believe? Whom do they worship and how? Have Muslims had any positive contributions to the world? There are many conceptions of Islam and Muslims. My goal is not to preach Islam or to espouse my views on Islam, but to simply teach their beliefs and impact on the world. Our history is the history of the world, not just of western Europe. We do not focus on the history and impact of Islam because it is a minority religion in the United States. But, as we will see throughout this chapter, there are a lot of misconceptions of Islam. Use as warmup for class 2 and 3

The Arabian Peninsula and Surrounding Lands What do you know about the geography of the Arabian Peninsula? What do you want to learn? Have students open to pg. 49 of the workbook and complete the geography challenge

Important Islamic Places Point out Baghdad Damascus Jerusalem Medina Jeddah Mecca Aden Use TCI Presentation and have students answer questions in class assignments

Introduction to Islam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpcbfxtdoI8

Muhammad Born around 570 CE in Makkah (Mecca) Leader and founder of Islam The Story: Centuries before Muhammad, God tested Abraham’s faith by ordering him to leave Hagar (his wife) and his infant son Ishmael in a desolate valley. As they searched for water, a spring bubbled at the son’s feet Abraham then built a house of worship called the Ka’bah Start classes 2 and 3

Mecca Prosperous city at the crossroads of great trade routes

Mecca Many came to worship at the Ka’bah but were not monotheistic (believers/worshippers of one God)

Origin of Islam: An Overview Muhammad was living in Meccah (again, a city with a lot of religions worshipping a lot of gods) The angel Gabriel came to him in a vision and told him to start speaking the word of God (one, all supreme God) The tribal ties of Muhammad began to grow and grow. He eventually would lead many followers and take Mecca as a religious capital Islam would grow to control much of the Arabian peninsula much like an empire Class 1 ended

Context of Islam From previous classes, what do you remember about the area Islam would grow to control? Much of the area was under Roman control until the 400’s. The Byzantine Empire would gain control of much of the area i

Mecca (Makkah) The prosperous hometown of Muhammad Gained wealth as a center of trade Overtime, families grew to control the city These ruling families would not share fortune with weaker, poorer clans who lived there

Mecca Also a religious center Most people at this time were polytheist- belief in more than one God The Ka’bah- a cube-shaped shrine built by Abraham to honor God Because Mecca was a religious center, the Ka’bah housed hundreds of statutes to different gods ----- Meeting Notes (9/9/15 14:57) ----- End class 3

Arab Life No central government in Arabia again, after fall of the Roman Empire and before the “Islamic Empire” Arabs pledged loyalty to their clans and to larger tribes Which is why the colonial movement of the 19th and 20th centuries really messed things up Clans and tribes would battle over resources Territory Animals Goods Water Wives If someone in your family was killed, you were honor-bound to avenge their death. This led to cyclical violence that would last a long time.

Arab Life Although not united under a government, many tribes shared common cultural ties It is helpful to understand this context to better understand the life of Muhammad

Muhammad’s Early Life 570- Muhammad born in Mecca His clan- the Hashim Not very wealthy, but belonged to a leading tribe in Mecca Sent to live with nomads in the desert Learned Arab values (being kind to strangers, helping orphans and others that are needy) Dad died before he was born, mom died when he returned to Mecca at age 6, grandpa (who was the leader of the clan) died Begin Class 2

Muhammad Abu Talib would adopted Muhammad and showed him the merchant ways Would become merchant himself People called him al-Amin (the Trustworthy) Khadijiah- ran a trading business and used Muhammad to manage her caravans The two married when Muhammad was 25 She was impressed with his honesty Had a daughter named Fatima who would carry on Muhammad’s bloodline