1. Islam - origins

2. Quick-Write
How would a young man marrying an older woman impact his view of women?

3. Muhammad Orphan of a well-off clan who married an older woman
Grew up in time when Arabia was facing outside influences:
Byzantine and Sassanid Empires
Migrations of Arabs into surrounding areas where they adopted elements of the culture
Increase in trade and urbanization was increasing social stratification

4. Arabia religiously divided
Tribal gods meant separate identities
City of Mecca responded by creating a shrine for all the gods – the Ka’ba
Most powerful clan – the Umayyad, didn’t want things to change
Muhammad started to gain followers and threaten the “status quo”; the Umayyad tried to have him killed

5. The “Five Pillars” of Islam
No god but Allah, and Muhammad is messenger
Prayer toward Mecca 5x day
Charity/Almsgiving to the needy
Fasting during Ramadan
Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once

6. Foundational beliefs
Allah & Allah’s creation are separate things (agree with Genesis account)
There is a devil that battles with Allah for people’s souls
There is an eternal afterlife determined by one’s actions
Worship of anything except Allah is idolatry
Much of the old testament is correct, e.g. Abraham
Jesus is a prophet and not part of god

7. The Hijra & rise of Islam
Muhammad & followers fled Mecca to nearby city of Medina
Muhammad made mayor, ran the city well, spread Islam throughout
Muhammad & followers began to spread out, eventually taking over Mecca & winning the submission of the Umayyad

8. A new order
Muslims were from all tribes – formed a single community called the “umma”
Single god, single community, single peace
Islam’s ethical system provided a code of behavior people could rely on
-- Equality of all believers
-- Charity (zakat)

9. A new universal religion
Anyone could be Muslim
Other universal religions of the time: Christianity and Buddhism
Spread rapidly among Arabs as the Umma conducted successful military campaigns on the Arabian peninsula
Muhammad’s death in 632 = turning point

10. Political Islam
On death of Muhammad, Umma met to select a new Caliph – combined political & religious leader
Couldn’t agree:
Blood-line of Muhammad or elected leader?
First four Caliphs the “righteous caliphs”
--Conflict over fifth
Support for Ali vs. Abi Talib= biggest split in the Muslim world: Sunni vs. Shia

11. New Form of Government - Caliphate
Caliph both a political & religious leader
Muhammad the 1st Caliph
Three Caliphates: Muhammad’s, Umayyad, Abassid

13. Consolidation & Expansion of Power
Ridda wars fought to bring back Arabs who drifted, expanded Caliphate into Iraq & Syria
Conquered weak Byzantine & Sassanid Empires
Ummayad Caliphate tried to keep non-Arabs from converting – why?
Ummayad Caliphate’s Umma was “Closed” to outsiders (non-Arabs) vs. later Abassid