Worlds of Islam Source

Europe 1000 European Christian Kingdom Under Muslim Rule – 1492 treaty Granada West – Roman elements + German influence+ Christianity – Christian European civilization East – Byzantine Empire – Roman influence – Consider themselves Romans A few decades after Muhammad died – ME united and expanded in Spain N Africa and Persia Political unification = +trade and cultural spreads Byzantine Empire

What did Arabs believe before Muhammad? Mecca in Saudi Arabia Source Byzantine Mix – Christianity, Judaism Zoroastrianism Persia Small Arab Kingdoms – benefit from location near trade routes, Quraysh Source Quraysh -prominent tribe in Mecca – Muhammad’s tribe Arabia - Sandwiched between Byzantine and Sassanid (Perisan) Kaaba -  first house that was built for humanity to worship Allah. (Abraham and Ishmael) Black stone in eastern corner – fell from heaven Kaaba – houses 360 different deities Bedouins – nomadic, ancestor veneration, nature spirits, polytheistic

Symbol of Islam The crescent moon and star is an internationally-recognized symbol of the faith of Islam. The crescent moon and star symbol actually pre-dates Islam by several thousand years. most sources agree that these ancient celestial symbols were in use by the peoples of Central Asia and Siberia in their worship of sun, moon, and sky gods.

“Peace” (Salam) and “Submission” (salaama) “Submission to God” Birth of Islam From: the root “s-l-m” “Peace” (Salam) and “Submission” (salaama) “Submission to God” Life of Muhammad– 570-632 Source 570– Most Arabs believe Allah is the top god a trader of Mecca became a religious, political, and military leader. Muslims view him not as the founder of a new religion, but rather as the preacher of the original, uncorrupted monotheistic faith of Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and others. In Muslim tradition, Muhammad is viewed as the last and the greatest in a series of prophets—as the man closest to perfection, the possessor of all virtues. In 610, at age 40, Muhammad started receiving revelations from God. The content of these revelations, known as the Qur'an, was memorized and recorded by his companions. 610 –Muhammad’s first revelation Allah – is the god of Abraham – same as Jewish and Christian god First revelation- God’s messenger – needs to bring word of God to Arabs in their own language wealth and commercialism (in Mecca) had undermined social justice God demands social justice Become scriptures in Quaran Last prophet Five Pillars of Islam Divergence from Judaism and Christianity of the time One true god is Allah Holy Trinity is wrong Not so much a new religion – but a return to the religion of Abraham Jesus was just another prophet hijra Yathrib 622 –Muhammad goes to Medina 630 – Mecca Surrenders 632 – Muhammad dies

Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem Holy Cities Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem Muhammad was born in Mecca and home of the Kaaba Muhammad started Islam in Medina (and died there) Muhammad “rose” to heaven from Jerusalem

The Al-Aksa Mosque in Jerusalem The Kaaba, in Mecca Saudi Arabia, is the center of Islam. Muslims from all over the world gather there to pray in unity. The Al-Aksa Mosque in Jerusalem Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (the Mosque of the Prophet) in Medina, Saudi Arabia, is the site of Muhammad's tomb.

the Qur’an? The Islamic Holy book. Muslims believe it is the direct word of Allah (God). The word of God was revealed to the prophet Mohammed through the angel Jibril (Gabriel).

What are the Basic Belief of Islam? Monotheism Prophets Angels Revelation Resurrection Judgment Predetermination Five Pillars

What are the 5 Pillars of Islam? Read .pdf handout “ISLAM” in classworks for more info What did your book say about a SIXTH Pillar and what is it? jihad

Pillars of Islam

Question 1. How are Islam, Judaism, and Christianity connected or related or similar? And, yet, how are they separate or different?

Consolidation Why was Islam so successful at its beginning? Muhammad Independence from Judaism Muhammad Centralized power to Muhammad Marriage alliances Religious appeal Consolidate power and lead to rise of Islam Religious appeal – return to old tribal values Small kinship tribes lack unifying agent Community based on beliefs Economic - wealth Traders were only allowed to use tents to sell their merchandise – how does this level the playing field? Not to use permanent buildings High interest loans were outlawed Social Responsibility – is stressed – take care of the poor/ needy – umma community Military skill of leader supertribe Material wealth promises umma Decrease in conflict Traders use of tents

Arabia and Surrounding Areas Before and During the Time of Muhammad

Arab Expansion Source Reason for expansion seeking control of trade routes and arable land Jihad Righteous government to the conquered is God’s will ca. 750 – seen as a universal religion and seek out converts Impact on the conquered People of the book Ca. 750 can convert to Islam Jizya tax for exemption from military service Allowed to continue religion Arab armies do not mingle in conquered towns – in garrisons separated – less violence, impact Local rulers incorporated into new Empire Huge cultural impact – conversions to Islam Role of conversion Universal religion Encourages continued unification Source

Why were the Arabs so successful? Byzantine and Persian weakness Source Battle of Talas River stops Chinese western expansion Weakened by their constant wars and internal rebellions (decades of fighting eachother) Don’t consider Arabs a serious threat Fall of Spain--- unsure? Battle of Talas Chinese – mercenary army – abandons them and started attacking the Chinese Unclear about numbers Chinese – Arabs had 200,000 and they had 30,000 Arabs – Chinese had 100,000 Battle of Talas River Source

Reasons for Conversion Commonalities in religion Success of Muslims challenges other gods Avoiding jizya Merchants drawn to it – Muhammad was a merchant Social mobility 750-900 - 80% in Persia convert but keep local language Source

Islam after Muhammad:1 Film and questions Sunni Shia First 4 Caliphs Who should be the political leader of umma? Film and questions 1st caliph Abu Bakr Ulama Muslim legal scholars 16th century C.E. Source First 4 Caliphs 632 -661 Sunni 1st four Caliphs (rightly guided caliphs) – companions of Muhammad Selected by elders of Medina Rebellions to leaders and “new prophets” were forcibly subdued – Abu Bakr 3rd and 4th caliphs were assasinated Shia – caliphs should be blood relations of Muhammad Sunni – elders choose caliph Film – The Story of Islam Chapter 13 and 14 Theological conflict? 656 civil war Shia Imams religious leader… religious authority beyond caliph Source

Who are Shia and Sunni? What are the differences between them and the cause of the split? Sunni Muslims: approximately 90% Shia Muslim: approximately 10% Someone Elected – most worthy Family line of Rulers

Islam after Muhammad: 2 Capital: Damascus Umayyad 661-750 Caliphs become absolute monarchs Growing tensions Capital: Damascus Source Leaders become hereditary Professional standing army Taxation Complicated administrative procedures – bureaucracy Standard coinage Aristocracy Arab military leaders Tensions Shia – see them as illegitimate rulers Non Arabs – feel lower class- marginalized Protest luxury of ruling class Fancy ceremonies and rituals Succession disputes Rise of aristocracy Umayyad 661-750 Source Abd-ar-Rahman III Caliph of Cordoba prince of the Ummayad

Islam after Muhammad: 3 “Golden Age” Capital: Baghdad Abbasid No longer under the authority of a single caliph “Golden Age” By 900 weakening allows regional dynasties 5. Which one of the many Arab advances described on p.325-327 stand out, surprise, or make an impression on you? Identify it, explain why you chose it or why it stood out to you, and how is it connected to another part of the world/continent (i.e. East Asia, Africa, or Europe)? Capital: Baghdad Sultanates Baghdad, which soon became a great cultural center. “Golden Age.” rise of Sufism (an Islamic mystic tradition) completion of the collections of Hadith (which further clarified Qur’anic teaching) – interpret laws Shia and Sunni have different Hadith collections Sharia – rulers for correct behavior – how to be a good Muslim ---- What does it mean to submit to Allah? – Also from Sunnah – life of Muhammad After 900, the caliphate showed signs of fracturing, which allowed for the emergence of regional Muslim dynasties. In 973, the cseized control of Abbasid Egypt and established a new capital at al-Qahirah (Cairo). To the northeast, the Seljuk Turks had migrated into Persia by 1055. Hadith collections Abbasid 750- 1258 Mongols come in 1258 Source

Sufi Mystic Islam: the Sufi sect of Islam. Pictured are the Whirling Dervishes.

What is Sikhism? Short video

Expansion of Islam 7th & 8th centuries What states and Empires did the Muslims overrun? Which areas of the Arab Empire are modern Muslim states today? What parts of Europe did the Muslims overrun? If these regions are not Muslim today, what o you think happened? Locate Damascus and Mecca, the first Muslim capitals. What advantages and disadvantages did these location present when running an empire? Locate Karbala and Ctesiphon. Between the two cities the Arabs built Bagdad. Why build a capital here? To what cultural influences would this location be exposed? Look at the borders of the Arab Empire. What geographic areas would have contact with non-Muslims? Complete the map activity in classworks

6. What distinguished the first centuries of Islamic history from the early history of Christianity and Buddhism? What similarities and differences characterized their religious outlooks?