1. Modern Muslim World
How does Islam spread to these places?

2. The Messenger Muhammad (570 – 632 CE) Born in Mecca
From a Quraysh family
A shepherd and a trader
Troubled by the religious corruption and social inequalities of Mecca
Often withdrew into the mountains to meditate
610 CE = he had an overwhelming religious experience
(Similar to the Buddha and Jesus)
Became convinced he was Allah’s messenger to the Arabs

3. The Messenger Muhammad claimed to be the “seal of the prophets”
Meant he was the last in a long line of prophets, including Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and others
Said he had God’s FINAL revelation to humankind
Wasn’t trying to start a new faith
More of an invitation to return to the old and pure religion of Abraham

4. The Message: 5 Pillars of Islam
1) Faith: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of God.” 2) Prayer: Should be performed 5 times daily while facing in the direction of Mecca 3) Almsgiving: Supporting the poor and needy of the community 4) Fasting: Occurs during month of Ramadan; no food, drink, or sexual relations from dawn to sundown 5) The Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca

5. The Message: The 6th Pillar
Jihad = “struggle”
“Greater jihad” = interior personal effort to avoid greed and selfishness, and to strive toward living a God- conscious life
“Lesser jihad” = “jihad of the sword” = belief that the Quran authorized armed struggle against the forces of unbelief and evil
In order to: establish Muslim rule and defend the umma from the threats of infidel aggressors
versus

6. Sunnis vs. Shi’ites
Believe the caliph is the rightful political and military leader of Islam
Believe the caliph should be chosen by the Islamic community
Believe the caliph can be any devout Muslim
Religious authority comes from the larger Islamic community; particularly ulama = religious scholars
Believe that the leader of the Islamic community should be a blood descendant/relative of Muhammad
Religious authority comes from prayer leaders called imams
Imams = only ones that can correctly interpret divine revelations and Islamic law

8. Major Muslim States Caliphates Al-Andalus Delhi Sultanate
5 rightly guided caliphs
Umayyads ( )
Abbasids ( )
Fatimids (Egypt )
Al-Andalus
Delhi
Sultanate
(Spain)
(Northern India)

9. West African Muslim empires: Ghana Mali Songhay
Great Mosque of Jenne
West African
Muslim empires:
Ghana
Mali
Songhay
1300s: Pilgrimage to Mecca
60,000 people
12,000 slaves with 4 lbs of gold
Gave away so much gold, he destabilized Egypt’s economy
Mansa Musa

10. Islamic state outside of caliphate
Sultans ruled the land, but not the faith

11. Al-Andalus (aka Andalusia) (aka Islamic Spain)

12. Great Mosque of Cordoba

13. Great Mosque of Cordoba

14. What caused the spread of the Arabic language?
The Turkic?

15. Abbasid Dynasty,
Capital at Baghdad – What are the advantages of this location? (next slide)
All Muslims allowed to hold civil and military positions (allowed outside influence to enter)
Strong Persian influence
Caliph becomes more like king than spiritual leader

17. Trade Advances: Banking Currency Letters of Credit Leather Olives Wine
Linens
Dates
Precious stone
Silk
Porcelain
Gold
Slaves
Grain
Textiles
Gold
Ivory
Rhino horn
Sandalwood
Cotton
Wheat
Sugar
Spices

18. Paper Making: Tang to Abbasids Block Printing
Carve words in wooden block
press it onto paper
Great help to all bureaucratic governments

19. Pointed Arch
First used by Byzantines it will become the characteristic arch of Islamic Architecture
Later it becomes a center of Gothic Medieval Architecture

20. Arabesque Means repeating geometrical patterns
Major feature of Islamic Architecture due to fact that they do not
depict living things
in their art.

21. Calligraphy Quotations from Qur’an
Emphasizes Islam and the unification of their empire due to fact all had to learn Arabic to become Muslim or pay Jizya.

22. Bypostyle Greek word meaning “under columns
Not specific to Islam but used extensively in
a mosque’s prayer
hall which had be a large room

23. Minaret Used to call Muslims to prayer
Oldest Standing Minaret
Used to call Muslims to prayer
Word originates from the term for “an object that gives light”
First mosques did not have minarets.
Can vary drastically depending on local cultural influences

24. Large Domes
Again, not a unique feature of Muslim architecture as the Greeks and Romans perfected the dome
The Dome of the Rock (right) is one of the holiest sites of Islam and was patterned off of nearby Byzantine churches and Byzantine workers help to build it.
Sometimes the domes are pointed at the top.

25. Mihrab
Is a niche built into the wall of the Mosque which is usually accompanied by a pulpit
The Mihrab indicates the direction of the Kaaba (الكعبة) in Mecca which is the direction Muslims face when they pray.