1. A New Faith “Islam”

2. Introduction
The cultures of the Arabian Peninsula were in constant contact with one another for centuries
One set of shared ideas became a powerful force that would change the world, and unite the region
That force was the religion of Islam

3. Trade Influences Islam
The Arabian Peninsula is a crossroads for 3 continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa
In the desert, lived people called “Bedouins” – they organized into clans which provided them support and security
The Bedouins followed the ideals of loyalty to family, courage, and warrior skills
By the 600s, trade routes connected the 3 continents
Arab traders brought spices and incense as well as new ideas

4. Mecca – an Important City
During certain times of the year, the traders would stop in Mecca to worship at the “Kaaba”
This was a holy shrine
The Arabs associated it with Abraham who was a Hebrew prophet
The Arabs followed the idea of one God and they called him “Allah”

5. Muhammad Muhammad was born into a clan of a powerful family
He was orphaned at the age of 6
He was then raised by his grandfather and uncle
He received little schooling and began working as a trader at the age of 25
His manager was a woman named Khadija
Khadija was a 40 year old widow – and she and Mohammad would eventually marry

6. Muhammad’s Revelations
He had always taken a great interest in religion
He spent a lot of time alone, praying, meditating, and fasting
Once, while praying in a cave in Mecca, he heard a voice
It was the voice of the angel Gabriel - he told Mohammad that he was a messenger of Allah
Mohammad believed that Allah was speaking to him through Gabriel
Mohammad was also convinced that he was the last prophet

7. Mohammad’s Teachings
Muhammad’s wife and family members were his first followers
He began to preach that:
Allah was the one and only God
People who agreed with Islam were to be called Muslims
Islam means: “submission to the will of Allah”
Muslim means: “one who has submitted”

8. The Hijrah By 613, Muhammad’s preachings were met with much resistance
In 622, he fled to “Yathrib” – a city north of Mecca (this city would later be renamed “Madinah”)
The people there welcomed him and soon he had gained 10,000 followers
This movement from Mecca to Yathrib is referred to as the “Hijrah” – because it was a turning point for Mohammad winning followers

9. The Return to Mecca
In 630, Mohammad went back to Mecca to fight and convert the people there
When he arrived the people of Mecca surrendered, they destroyed all of their past idols, and pledged their loyalty to Mohammad
Mohammad would die 2 years later at the age of 62, but he had succeeded in unifying the entire Arabian peninsula under Islam