1. The Rise of Islam ca

2. The Arabian World Desert Dwellers inhabited by Bedouin societies
occupations were herding camels and goats with some agriculture
towns ruled by clans and tribes with conflicts over water and land
Trade and Society
trade linked Mediterranean to East Asia
Mecca (home of Ka’ba) became most important
merchants made money selling goods/religious artifacts to travelers
commercialized, polytheistic society in cities

3. The Life of Muhammad Family born in the Quraysh clan about 570
raised by father’s family, became merchant, married widow
influenced by contact with Jews and Christians
Beginning of dar al-Islam
became dissatisfied with material life and meditated
in 610, received revelations from Gabriel
teachings written in Arabic and collected in the Quran
other sayings collected in the much later Hadith
Islam means “submission” or self-surrender to Allah
referred to himself as the “seal of prophets”

4. The Birth of Islam Persecution and Unity
seen as a threat to social and economic
order by Mecca’s rulers
fled to Medina in 622(hijra), marks the beginning of the Islamic era (calendar)
leadership brought followers
Muhammad attacked Mecca in 630 and forced elites to convert and established new government
contained elements of other monotheistic religions, respect for prophets
Organization
unified society with distinct indigenous monotheism
old tribal boundaries gave way to the “umma”
all believers equal before Allah
the Quran became basis for teaching and law (Sharia)
comprehensive legal and social code
Muslims follow the Five Pillars of Faith
all should be converted to the faith, jihad (struggle)

5. The Spread of Islam The Umayyads after Muhammad’s death in 632,
unity threatened due to no successor
advisors selected Abu Bakr to serve as caliph
ruled as head of state and religious and military leader
warrior elite dominated and armies went on the offensive
Conquest and Expansion
Islam became common cause for aggressive expansion, wealth a motivation
jihad used as justification for spread, but present idea misrepresents early expansion
Arab armies invaded surrounding empires and dominated the Mediterranean
moved into northern Africa and southern Europe (early 700s)

6. Succession and Society
The Sunni-Shi’i Split
murder of 3rd caliph, renewed rivalries
Muhammad’s supporters followed Ali who served briefly
Ali was rejected by the Umayyads so Sunni comes from Umayyad leadership
Shi’i supported Ali’s descendants
Economy
agricultural base – staple crops: sugarcane, rice, wheat, fruits led to increased food supply and textile industry
paper-making learned from China due to trade that used old Persian and Roman roads
camel saddles allowed goods to move by caravan and lateen sail and astrolabe allowed ocean trade
Gender and Culture
pre-Islamic women had many rights but later veiling and seclusion came from Persia
over time interpretations restricted women, Quran reinforced male dominance
language and law provided unifying bond while madrassas promoted education
missionary proselytized – Sufi mystics had goal of making Islam more spiritual