1. The Rise & Spread of Islam
Leaning Goal 2: Describe the historical origins, central ideas, and early spread of Islam. (TEKS/SEs 23A, 23B)

2. Islam Briefly
Islam is the second most popular religion in the world with over a billion followers. Islam began in Arabia and was revealed to humanity by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Prophet – One who foretells future events.
Those who follow Islam are called Muslims. Muslims believe that there is only one God, called Allah, who speaks Arabic.
Islam means “to submit”.
Muslim means “one who submits”.
Notice that Muhammad’s face cannot be seen. Islamic law forbids showing the face of the Prophet.
Mohammad praying at the Ka’bah
Notes
2nd biggest religion – over 1 bill.
Monotheism
Started in Arabia w/ Mohammad

3. The Historical Origins of Islam
Before Islam
Arabian Peninsula is populated with Polytheistic Bedouin tribes
Mecca is the center of trade in the region
Shrine (Kaaba) in the middle of Mecca where tribes place idols to the various gods
Mohammad (c )
Born on the Arabian Peninsula in present day Saudi Arabia
Successful merchant/trader
610-While meditating in a cave he received a revelation from God to spread monotheism to the Arabian tribes
Notes
b/4 Islam – polytheism
Mecca – center of trade
Kaaba – shrine in Mecca
Mohammad –
Successful trader
Receives message to spread monotheism

4. Mohammad starts spreading the message of Islam
Gains a small following of family & friends
They are the first Muslims
The Muslims are met with hostility by the Mecca elite & the merchant class Why were they hostile to the Muslims?
They felt that Mohammad threatened their power
They feared that his message of monotheism would discourage travel to Mecca by polytheists
They felt that this would be bad for business
Mohammad & his followers are kicked out of Mecca in 622 CE

5. Hijrah – 622 AD; the beginning of the Islamic calendar
Mohammad & followers fled from Mecca to Medina and established the first Muslim community
Over the next several years the religious leader Mohammad also became a political & military leader
Muslim community grew from 313 to 10,000
630 AD – Mecca is conquered
Mohammad returned to Mecca with his army of followers
Muslims took control of the city
Mohammad made the Kaaba a sacred shrine for Muslims
Notes
Hijrah 622 AD
Muslims flee from Mecca to Medina
Start Muslim calendar
Mohammad – religious, political, & military leader
630 AD – Muslims conquer Mecca
Kaaba – sacred shrine for Muslims

6. He had not named a successor Turn & Talk : What effect do you think
Notes
632 AD – Mohammad died
Crisis of legitimacy – Sunni Shi’a split
Umayyad Caliphate begins–Sunni
Caliphs – relig. & political leader
Tolerant of Jews & Christians
Mohammad died in 632 AD
He died without a son
He had not named a successor
Turn & Talk : What effect do you think
this had on the Muslim community?
Power vacuum and crisis of legitimacy
Who was the rightful ruler of the Muslims?
Leads to the Sunni Shi’a split
Shi’a want Ali, the son-in-law of Mohammad
Sunni support a man from the Umayyad family
Umayyad family gains political control & the Umayyad ruler became the caliph (leader)
The Caliphate-
Caliphs viewed as both religious & political leaders
Islam is the unifying force amongst Arab tribes
Muslims tolerant of Jews & Christians (People of the Book )

7. Central Ideas of Islam Monotheism
Mohammad is the “Seal of the Prophets”
He’s the last one of the monotheistic prophets
Adam ->Noah -> Abraham -> Moses -> Jesus -> Mohammad
Mohammad is not divine, he’s just the final prophet
Five Pillars of Faith - Core practices of Muslims
Declaration of faith
Prayer – 5 times a day
Charity
Fasting during holy month of Ramadan
Pilgrimage to Mecca
Qu’ran is the holy text
Salvation & equality of all believers
Notes
Monotheism
Mohammad – final prophet
5 Pillars
Declare faith
Prayer x 5
Charity
Fasting
Pilgrimage
Qu’ran
Mecca – Holy city - Kaaba
Salvation & equality

8. The Five Pillars of Islam
Shahadah: Declaration of Faith “Lā ilāha illā Allāh. Muhammad rasūl Allāh.” “There is no god but God. Muhammad is the messenger of God.” By openly reciting this, one enters Islamic faith.
Salah: Prayer Muslims are required to pray five times a day, washing themselves before prayer and facing in the direction of Mecca while praying.
Zakat: Charity Muslims are required to give away a percentage of their earnings to those less fortunate, regardless of their religion.
Sawm: Fasting during the month of Ramadan Muslims fast for one lunar month each year, a period called Ramadan. During this time, Muslims reflect on their behavior and strive to purify their thoughts.
Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca If it is financially possible, Muslims are required to travel to Mecca once in their lifetime.

9. The Mosque of the Prophet in Mecca, Saudi Arabia
The Kaaba
The Hajj
Hijjah: The month of pilgrimage during which all Muslims, at least once in their life, should try to make the pilgrimage, called the Hajj, to Mecca and worship at the Kaaba.
Pilgrimage – Journey to a shrine or holy place.
Hajj
Notes
Hajj – pilgrimage to holy city of Mecca
Worship at the Kaaba
The Mosque of the Prophet in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

10. The Qu’ran The Muslim scripture is the Holy Qur'an.
It is considered the unaltered 'word of God'.
Every word & every letter is sacred
Muslim beliefs and practices are rooted in the Qur'an.
It is read from right to left and written in Arabic, the language of heaven.
Notes
Qu’ran – Muslim holy text
Basis of Muslim beliefs & practices
Written in Arabic
The Qur’an

11. Alabaster Mosque in Cairo, Egypt
The Mosque
Minaret
Mosque
The Muslim building for communal worship
from the Arabic for "place of prostration".
Worshippers are called to prayer 5 times a day from minarets – towers on the mosque corners.
Mosques contain only designs, no people or animals or furniture.
Normal day of worship is Friday.
Alabaster Mosque in Cairo, Egypt
Notes
Mosque – Muslim place of worship
Go to Mosque on Friday
Minarets – towers for call to prayer
Interior of the Mosque

12. Spread of Islam By Conquest: By Trade: By Sufi missionaries:
By the 8th century the Muslim Empire & the religion of Islam spread through conquest , trade, & missionaries
By Conquest:
East to India
West to the Iberian Peninsula (Spain)
By Trade:
Sub-Saharan Africa
East Africa
By Sufi missionaries:
Through India
Southeast Asia
Notes
Islam rapidly spreads
Spain, North Africa, India
Spread by conquest, trade, and missionaries