1. Islam and Arabia

2. Mediterranean / Middle East ~600 CE

4. Pre-Islamic Arabia
Early Arabia was dominated by pastoral tribes who worshiped many gods
Throughout Arabia there were many Jewish communities, as well as the
Persian Sassanid Empire and Christian Byzantine Empire on the edges
The urban center of the Arabian tribes was rich trade city of Mecca
Mecca was infamous for its religious corruption,
social disparity, and the Kaaba pilgrimage
Fed up with this corruption and disparity, Muhammad ( CE)
left the city to meditate in the desert mountains

5. Islam Begins
While meditating, Muhammad had what he describes as a divine revelation from ‘Allah’
Muhammad was to fulfill the role of communicating Allah’s Will in Arabic (the Quran)
Known as Islam, this new religion was radically monotheistic, and called for radical
change in response to the corruption and disparity of Mecca
Islam didn’t just call for spiritual
change, but also social justice
It established a belief-based state called
ummah that ran strictly by Islamic law

7. Islamic Law
The 5 Pillars of Islam established the practices of Muslims (to submit), and established
itself as anti-corruption and (more) egalitarian
It emphasized complete belief in one God, recognition of
Muhammad, prayer, almsgiving, pilgrimage, and fasting
It also required individuals to endure the jihad (struggle)
both spiritually, and to preserve the ummah militaristically
After leaving Mecca and uniting several tribes in Medina,
Muhammad conquered the forces of Mecca
With the message of Islam, and his military success,
Muhammad had united all of Arabia by roughly 630 CE

8. Islamic Caliphate 630 CE (green)