1. The Arabs Semitic Tribe, like Jewish peoples
Traced heritage thru Abraham’s son Ishmael
Shared traditions and stories of old testament (Adam and Eve, Noahs Ark, et cetera)
Divided between Bedouins, desert nomads, and oasis city dwellers
Tribes and Family of great importance

2. Arabian Tribal Culture
When a violent crime was committed resulted in Thar – Retribution
Any members of suspected tribe became targets
Lack of resources also resulted in Ghazu, or raids against other tribes
Both cause great instability

3. Mecca
Also important Religious Center “tourist destination” and trade route
Most famous attraction was the Kaaba Stone (likely a meteor fragment)
Birthplace of a man named Muhammad

4. Background on Muhammed
Muhammed was an orphan
Raised by his merchant uncle
Married a wealthy widow and ran her business
Wanted a single identity to unify Arabia in opposition to outside forces

5. Muhammad
Dedicated to spiritual searching and talked to “people of the book”
Meditated in a cave outside Mecca
Received message from the Angel Gabriel
Revelations continued for 23 years

6. Qur’an Revelations were later written into the Qur’an
Adopts all Abrahamic figures, including Jesus, as prophets of Allah
Earlier scriptures lost or altered and part of Allah’s message

7. Medina Muhammad began preaching his new religion
His tribe rejected it.
Muhammad and friends fled to the Medina

8. Aftermath Muslim emigrants property seized
Muhammad started praying towards Mecca
Would eventually lead to armed conflict

9. Raid Muhammad led a raid on Meccan caravan
Caravan was guarded and led to a battle
Muhammad outnumbered 300 to 900

10. Battle of Badr Both Armies wanted to reach the wells of Badr
Muslims forces reached the wells first
Meccan troops decided to fight despite caravan being safe
Partly for blood vengence

11. Battle of Badr Started with 3 on 3 champion fight. Muslims kill all 3.
Each side exchange arrow volleys
Muslims charge and Meccans break and run
14 Muslims killed, 70 Meccans killed and 70 captured

12. Aftermath Strengthened Muhammad’s position Meccans wanted revenge
Marched on Mecca with 3000 men

13. Options Stay within stronghold of Medina Meet Meccans in battle
Picked B

14. Battle of Uhud Medina Mecca 700 infantry 50 archers 4 cavalry
3000 camels
200 cavalry

15. Battle of Uhud A group of Muslims defected
Defended on flank with archers
"If you saw us prevail and start to take spoils, do not come to assist us. And if you saw us get vanquished and birds eat from our heads, do not come to assist us."
One flank with a mountain

16. Fight for Standard
Meccan Standard bearer challenged cousin of Muhammad
He was killed
One by one his cousins attacked and perished

17. General Engagement Muslim forces having success Success seems certain
Archers disobey Muhammas and left position to join in spoils
Meccan cavalry attack now exposed flank and win.
Muslims retreat with 75 kills. Meccans with 37.
Meccans marched home

18. Battle of the Trench Mecca gather 10,000 men and marched on Medina
Muhammad had 3,000
Muslims dug trenches where ever they were vulnerable to cavalry
Stood on opposite ends conducting slam poetry warfare
Until a neutral Jewish tribe flipped against the Muslims

19. Collapse of the Confederacy
Thru treachery Muhammad collapsed his enemies
Massacred the Jewish tribes
Treaty of Hudaybiyyah created temperary peace