1. Islam and Arabia Notebook Page 2: Period 1: 1200 CE – 1450 CE
© Morgan AP Teaching
Notebook Page 2:
Islam and Arabia
Period 1: 1200 CE – 1450 CE

2. Mediterranean / Middle East – 600 CE

4. © Morgan AP Teaching
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. © Morgan AP Teaching
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 set of written documents that house Islam’s primary beliefs in Arabic is known as the Quran
Known as Islam, this new religion was radically monotheistic, and called f
or 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. © Morgan AP Teaching
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 an emphasis on egalitarianism, Islam became quite appealing
to the majority of Arabs who were often poor
This, coupled with Mohammed’s sweeping military success, resulted
in the union of all Arabia under Mohammed by roughly 630 CE

8. Islamic Caliphate 630 CE (Green)