1.  In the 5 th Century, warfare between the Byzantine and Persian Empires interrupted trading routes to East Asia  Trade routes shifted to sea routes connecting India, Arabia and the Red Sea  The city of Mecca became an important stop along the trade routes  Islam developed in Mecca and spread throughout the world  Within 100 years Islam grew to control an area larger than the Roman Empire

2.  Islam was founded by Mohammed  Mohammed was a merchant and shepherd in Mecca  He often meditated in a cave near Mecca  On one occasion, Mohammed had a vision from the Angel Gabriel who commanded him to convert the Arab tribes to believe in a single God known as “Allah”  Mohammed and his ideals became very popular but was forced to flee Mecca.

3.  The Kaaba was a temple filled with pagan idols, which people travelled to Mecca to worship at.  Mohammed was spreading a monotheistic religion and preaching against pagan idol worship. Merchants made their money off of these religious pilgrimages and were threatened by his growing influence.

4.  Muhammed fled Mecca to Medina, where he gained a larger following  This event is known as Hijrah, and is the starting point of the Muslim Calendar  Mohammed returned to Mecca a few years later with an army to conquer Mecca, in what has become known as Jihad (Holy War)

5.  The Quran is the sacred text of Islam  Muslims believe it records the word of God revealed to Mohammed by Gabriel.  It discusses forms of worship, proper conduct and the treatment of women  The fundamental doctrine of the Quran:  “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet.”

6.  Muslims worship God directly without the intercession of a Priest or clergy  The Five Pillars of Islam make up the basic religious duties that all Muslims must fulfill  Declaration of faith in one God  Prayer- 5 times daily, facing toward Mecca  Charity  Fasting during the month of Ramadan  Hajj- Pilgrimage to Mecca

7.  Islam united various Arab tribes with the common language of Arabic  Strengthened by their newfound unity, they set out on a holy war against non-believers  They fought with great enthusiasm to gain entry in to Heaven.  Arab Muslims succeeded in creating a vast empire that extended from the Indus River Valley into Europe as far west as Spain

8.  Began in Mecca (Saudi Arabia)  Spread through trade routes and holy wars against non-believers  Spread to the African Empires through the salt and gold trading routes  Muslim empire eventually extended from the Indus River Valley as far west as Spain, and down into the early African Empires

9.  Mohammed  Merchant & Shepherd from Mecca  Had a vision from God to convert the Arab tribes to believe in a single God “Allah”  Fled Mecca in fear of his life in 622 (known as Hijra)  Returned with an army in 632 to retake Mecca (known as Jihad or “holy war”)  Beliefs  There is no God but Allah (Monotheistic)  Mohammed is a prophet from God  The Quran is the sacred text  The Five Pillars of Islam  Faith in one God  Prayer  Charity  Fasting  Pilgrimage

11.  Abu Bakr- 1 st caliph (successor to the prophet). Was one of Muhammad’s oldest friends, brought Arabic tribes together and expanded influence northward.  Umar- 2 nd caliph. Further expanded influence, conquered Persian empire.  Very tolerant to Christians and Jews, “people of the book”  Many could choose to accept Islam or simply pay extra taxes  Uthman- 3 rd caliph, killed because he favored his own tribe  Ali- 4 th caliph, supporters of Uthman thought Ali helped the killers and war broke out. Assassinated  Mu’awiyah- 5 th caliph, had supported Uthman and accused Ali

12.  Shi’ah Muslims- Followers of Ali, believed that only his descendants (imams) should be caliphs. 10% of Muslim population  Sunni Muslims- Most Muslims accepted Mu-awiyah as caliph. Believe that agreement among Muslim people should settle religious matters. Majority of Muslim population  Sufi Muslims- Muslim mystics, tried to live simple lives centered on God.

13.  Tariq- a Berber (North African Muslim) general led Moorish army to Spain in 711 CE  Moors- The Muslims who made Spain their home  Tried to take France but failed, continued to rule parts of Spain for over 700 years

14.  Turks were nomadic groups from central Asia that converted to Islam  Turks gradually took political power away from caliph, were led by a Sultan  Sultan- leader of the Turks who claimed to serve the caliph  Eventually took Baghdad, expanded influence outward  Won lands as far away as north India  Eventually growth was slowed by outsiders  Lost control of cities to Christians in the Crusades  Mongols from the east destroyed Baghdad

15.  Trade very important  Islam began in Mecca, which was central to trade between Asia, Africa, and Europe  Muhammad was a merchant  Cultural diffusion  Muslim cities were centers of learning, particularly for science and mathematics  Knowledge was spread into Europe by Christian and Jewish scholars

16.  Quran guided religious and daily life  Slavery was common, but the Quran encouraged people to free their slaves  Women were treated fairly and could control property. Could refuse an arranged marriage and could keep their own money and remarry if divorced.

17.  Students attended religious study groups at mosques  Advanced students attended school to study science, math, and law

18.  Lots of medical studies and advancements  Surgical procedures, treatment of smallpox and other diseases, and discovery of medicines  Geography was important because of trade  Maps were improved- modified old Greek maps  Created the astrolabe- calculate latitude based on position of the stars  Math- Our number system is based on the Arabic number system

19.  Architecture  Mosques, palaces, libraries served to show glory of Islam  Mosques- Muslim houses of worship  Minaret- Tower attached to the outside of a mosque

20.  Literature and poetry  One Thousand and One Nights- a collection of Muslims stories and folk tales  Sinbad the Sailor, Aladdin, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves  Preserved ancient Greek literature  Otherwise would have been lost