1. The Rise of Islam

2. Things to Keep in Mind Timeline Review – p. 260-1
Muslim World v. the World
Southwest Asia (The Middle East) is bridge between Africa, Asia, & Europe
Goods and Ideas were traded and shared across this land
The Crossroads of the World

3. Bedouins Nomadic people who lived in the Arabian Desert
Organized into groups and tribes (clans)
Clans provided support and security
Ideals:
Courage
Loyalty to family
Great military skill
Inherited by Islam

4. Towns & Trade Towns arise near a water source or oasis
Early 600s – trade routes develop, providing a connection
Routes ran through the Byzantine & Sassanid empires
Merchants spread ideas and goods
Development of the Silk Road

5. The Silk Road

6. Mecca Popular trade stop for caravans
Religious pilgrims come to visit the Ka’aba
Place of worship for Abraham
Eventually, place for 360+ idols
Islam will develop because of connection with Judaism and Christianity

7. Ka’aba

8. Muhammad Born into a powerful family, but orphaned at 6
Trader & Business Manager – married his boss, Khadijah
Believed he was a prophet of Allah
Angel Gabriel & the cave
Believed he was the last prophet
Founded the Islamic faith – faith in one god

9. Muhammad & The Hijrah
People of Mecca threatened by Muhammad’s teachings
Fear Mecca would lose its religious appeal
Hijrah - Migration to Yathrib (Medina)
Muhammad gains many supporters & displays political & military skills

10. The Return to Mecca 630 – Muhammad & 10,000 men march on Mecca
Takes the city & destroys the idols of the Ka’aba
Most pledge allegiance & convert to Islam
Muhammad dies in 632 – great step toward unifying the Arabian Peninsula

11. Islam: Beliefs & Practices
Teaches good & evil
Individuals are responsible for their actions
All must carry out the 5 Pillars – ensures living of religion
All must perform a hajj – pilgrimage to Mecca
Source of Authority – Allah
Qur’an – religious book
Muhammad’s revelations from Allah via Gabriel

12. Other Beliefs & Expansion
Forbidden to eat pork
Cannot drink intoxicating beverages
Fridays afternoons = communal worship
No central religious figure (Ulama – scholars)
Qur’an & worship only in Arabic = unification
Sunna – Muhammad’s life example = proper living
Shari’a – regulates family life, moral conduct, community & business

13. The Five Pillars of Islam
Faith – Testify: “There is no God, but Allah, & Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
Prayer – 5x/day toward Mecca – anywhere
Alms – Give to the poor – special religious tax
Fasting – Ramadan – fast during the day
Spiritual needs are greater than physical needs
Pilgrimage – all able must perform a hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once
Similar clothing – all stand as one

14. Links to Judaism & Christianity
View Allah as the Christian & Jewish god
Jesus was a prophet, not the Son of God
The Torah & the Gospels = the Qur’an
The final book
Heaven, Hell, & Judgment Day
All trace ancestry to Abraham
Stress religious toleration towards Christians & Jews (“People of the Book”)