Islam

Muhammad & Islam Born (around) 570 CE in Mecca – one of the most prosperous caravan cities Born (around) 570 CE in Mecca – one of the most prosperous caravan cities The Kaaba, a large black stone enshrined at Mecca – also an important place of worship and pilgrimage The Kaaba, a large black stone enshrined at Mecca – also an important place of worship and pilgrimage Around 610 CE Muhammad went into a cave on Mt. Hira near Mecca where the Archangel Gabriel proclaimed him as the prophet of God Around 610 CE Muhammad went into a cave on Mt. Hira near Mecca where the Archangel Gabriel proclaimed him as the prophet of God

Qur’an – the Islam holy book Contains the words of God as revealed to Muhammad Contains the words of God as revealed to Muhammad Final version established around 650 CE Final version established around 650 CE Contains social and religious maxims Contains social and religious maxims Other holy words found in the Hadith – based on recollections of Muhammad’s words and actions Other holy words found in the Hadith – based on recollections of Muhammad’s words and actions

Five Pillars of Islam The Shahada (One God) The Shahada (One God) Salat (Prayer, 5 times per day towards Mecca) Salat (Prayer, 5 times per day towards Mecca) Zaat (Tithing) Zaat (Tithing) Sawm (Fasting during the month of Ramadan) Sawm (Fasting during the month of Ramadan) Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca) Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca)

Beliefs & Practices Priests are unnecessary; Muslims communicate with God directly through prayer Priests are unnecessary; Muslims communicate with God directly through prayer The Qur’an should not be questioned or changed The Qur’an should not be questioned or changed Salvation comes to those who follow a strict moral code: No eating of pork, no gambling, no drinking, no marriage to nonbelievers Salvation comes to those who follow a strict moral code: No eating of pork, no gambling, no drinking, no marriage to nonbelievers

Recognized Abraham, Moses and Jesus Christ as prophets – but that Muhammad was the final prophet Recognized Abraham, Moses and Jesus Christ as prophets – but that Muhammad was the final prophet Muhammad felt the Jews & Christians had strayed from the true faith and it was his task to bring them back to the true word Muhammad felt the Jews & Christians had strayed from the true faith and it was his task to bring them back to the true word However Jews & Christians failed to convert However Jews & Christians failed to convert His faith was rejected by people of Mecca His faith was rejected by people of Mecca

The Hejira 622 – Much opposition to his preaching so Muhammad moved to Medina, 200 miles north of Mecca 622 – Much opposition to his preaching so Muhammad moved to Medina, 200 miles north of Mecca Became the first year of the Islamic calendar Became the first year of the Islamic calendar Muhammad’s followers began to attach the caravans on their way to and from Mecca Muhammad’s followers began to attach the caravans on their way to and from Mecca By 624 his army was powerful enough to conquer Mecca and make it the centre of the new religion By 624 his army was powerful enough to conquer Mecca and make it the centre of the new religion

Muhammad’s successors Muhammad died in 632 – Abu Bakr became the Imam (or Caliph) Muhammad died in 632 – Abu Bakr became the Imam (or Caliph) Abu Bakr then became the spiritual leader, commander of the army, head of the Arab state and supreme judge for the Muslims Abu Bakr then became the spiritual leader, commander of the army, head of the Arab state and supreme judge for the Muslims Muhammad & successive caliphs raided their enemies – The Qur’an called these raids the jihad Muhammad & successive caliphs raided their enemies – The Qur’an called these raids the jihad

Division SUNNI  Caliph chosen by Muslim leaders SHI’ITE  A Caliph must be a descendant of Mohammad SUFI  Small sect of Muslim mystics

Umayyad Dynasty Built many of the centralizing institutions that characterized the caliphate until the 10 th century Built many of the centralizing institutions that characterized the caliphate until the 10 th century Set up a unified coinage Set up a unified coinage Granted all key positions in governments to Arabs Granted all key positions in governments to Arabs Maintained a tight control over provincial governors and taxes Maintained a tight control over provincial governors and taxes Moved their capital to Damascus Moved their capital to Damascus

By 750 Islam had spread from its homeland in Arabia into Persia, through the Middle East and North Africa & to the Iberian Peninsula

Islamic Society Economy based on trade and agriculture Economy based on trade and agriculture Religious toleration – Christian & Jews (Peoples of the Book) were allowed to freely practice their religions – however they had to pay taxes and accept Muslim law Religious toleration – Christian & Jews (Peoples of the Book) were allowed to freely practice their religions – however they had to pay taxes and accept Muslim law Women were excluded from public life Women were excluded from public life Men were allowed to have up to 4 wives as long as he could support them & treat them fairly Men were allowed to have up to 4 wives as long as he could support them & treat them fairly

Islamic Civilization Built some of the greatest cities in the Medieval world Built some of the greatest cities in the Medieval world Baghdad – over 1 million people (compared to 400,000 in Constantinople) Baghdad – over 1 million people (compared to 400,000 in Constantinople) Cordoba – population of over 400,000 Cordoba – population of over 400,000 Built mosques, baths and libraries Built mosques, baths and libraries

8 th & 9 th centuries – Islamic civilization entered a golden age 8 th & 9 th centuries – Islamic civilization entered a golden age Arabic, Byzantine, Persian and Indian cultural traditions were integrated Arabic, Byzantine, Persian and Indian cultural traditions were integrated The Muslim created what could be called a “high civilization” The Muslim created what could be called a “high civilization” Muslim scholars kept ancient Greek learning alive Muslim scholars kept ancient Greek learning alive Preserved the heritage of Greek science and philosophy, they added to it by writing commentaries Preserved the heritage of Greek science and philosophy, they added to it by writing commentaries Throughout the Qur’an one can find a strong emphasis on the value of knowledge in the Islamic faith Throughout the Qur’an one can find a strong emphasis on the value of knowledge in the Islamic faith

Islamic Contributions Art forms: mosaics, calligraphy, geometric designs Art forms: mosaics, calligraphy, geometric designs Arabic alphabet and language Arabic alphabet and language Universities: Cordoba, Baghdad Universities: Cordoba, Baghdad Preserved Greek & Roman learning while blending and improving on Indian discoveries Preserved Greek & Roman learning while blending and improving on Indian discoveries Translated ancient Greek and Roman texts Translated ancient Greek and Roman texts

Scientific Contributions Arabic numerals and concept of zero Arabic numerals and concept of zero Al Jabr (known today as Algebra) Al Jabr (known today as Algebra) Blended Eastern & Western medical knowledge  established hospitals and medical schools Blended Eastern & Western medical knowledge  established hospitals and medical schools Improved ships, made wide use of the compass Improved ships, made wide use of the compass