1. 10.2 Beginnings of Islam

2. 1. Is Islam a monotheistic or polytheistic religion? 2. Has it grown or waned in popularity since its beginnings? 3. What section of the world do many Islamic countries comprise?

3.  By the Middle of the 500s, three major oasis cities developed on the Arabian Peninsula. They were Yathrib, which is today Medina, Ta’if, and Mecca.  Of the three, Mecca was the largest and the richest.  Mecca was supported by trade and religion.

5.  Traders stopped there on their way north to Constantinople.  Arab pilgrims, or travelers to a religious shrine, came there to worship.  Arabia’s holiest shrine, the Kaaba stood in the center of Mecca.  It was believed that a black stone fell from paradise and was set in one of its walls.

10.  Muslims believe the Kaaba was first built by Adam.  Later, Abraham and his son Ishmael rebuilt it.  They had it dedicated to the worship of one God.  Later it was filled with idols that represented the gods and goddesses of different tribes.

11.  In 570, Muhammad was born and he was raised by an uncle who was a trader.  He mastered the skills of leading caravans. Writings say that his skills caught the eye of a wealthy widow and merchant, Khadija.

12.  On her behalf, Muhammad would travel to the Fertile Crescent to trade goods.  When he returned from his journey, they were married. Muhammad’s marriage to Khadija gave him wealth and respect in Mecca.

13.  According to Muslim beliefs, Muhammad had a revelation or vision in 610 CE.  It is said that he heard the voice of the Angel Gabriel telling him to preach about God.  He concluded that there was only one God, Allah, the same god as the God of Jews and Christians.

15.  When Muhammad told Khadija what happened she went to see a holy man hoping he could explain it to her.  The holy man told her that the angel speaking to Muhammad was the same one who had visited Moses and the other prophets.

17.  Muhammad’s teaching greatly upset the leaders of Mecca.  At first they laughed at him but they eventually felt threatened.  The leaders felt that if people stopped coming to Mecca, the city’s economy would be ruined and the leaders would no longer be rich.  They started to persecute Muhammad and his followers.

18.  In 620, Muhammad preached to a group of pilgrims from Yathrib.  They invited him to come there and be their leader.  During the summer of 622, he and several hundred followers fled from Mecca to Yathrib.  The year 622 was called the year of the Migration and the city was renamed for the city of the prophet, Medina.  He became a successful leader in the city of Medina.

20.  Muslim scholars say that in 624 Muhammad led attacks on Meccan caravans, cutting off Mecca’s source of income.  In 630, he signed a peace treaty and triumphantly entered their home city, Mecca.  Muhammad forgave those who persecuted him.  Within 2 years all the tribes of Arabia declared their faith in Islam and their loyalty to Muhammad.  In 632 Muhammad died.

21.  The Five Pillars of Islam are the basic duties of every Muslim. They are outlined in the Quran. They are:  1.Believe in one God, Allah and Muhammad is his prophet.  2.Pray facing Mecca five times daily.  3.Give to those in need.  4.Fast during the holy month of Ramadan.  5.Make a holy pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in your life.

22.  Muslims worship in a mosque. All mosque builders follow certain standards.  The Mosque always faces Mecca. Markings on the walls show the direction of Mecca.  From tall towers, called minarets, religious leaders, called muezzins, call Muslims to prayer.  Walled in courtyards in the mosque hold hundreds of worshippers.

24. Ar-Rawdah an-Nabawiyah Muhammad’s tomb

25.  The oldest Muslim monument still standing is the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.  Built in 691, this building honors where Muslims believe Muhammad ascended into heaven.