Chapter 9.2 Arabian Peninsula and Muhammad

1. Chapter 9.2Arabian Peninsula and Muhammad • APWH 2013

2. Review • Religious conflicts existed between the proud Christian Byzantine Empire and Zoroastrian Sasanids • Arab nomads benefit from conflict economically and intellectually • Increased contact with Christians spreads knowledge into Arabian peninsula

4. Geography of Arabian Peninsula • Highlands of Yemen in South, fertile and watered by spring monsoons. • Interior mountains to east drier, but in some places enough water to support farming.

5. Southern region cut off from northeast by Arabian desert. • Known as “Empty Quarter” • During 7th century, people in southern Arabia knew more about Africa, India and the Persian Gulf than about the center of the great peninsula!

10. Geographic Determinism • Traditional occupation farming • Camel and sheep herding nomads lived in the desert.

11. Caravan Trade • Several kingdoms rose and fell due to trans-Arabian trade routes. • Frankincense and myrrh exported north (Spice and perfume route). • Pastoralists and Nomads acted as guides • Providing camels and safe passage across desert.

12. Caravan Cities • Emerged along routes. • Petra in southern Jordan • Palmyra in northern Syria • Ruled by Bedouin chiefs • Absorbed by Roman empire • New trade goods by 100 CE included Camels, leather, gold and minerals

14. Petra

15. Palmyra

16. Palmyra

17. Mecca • Late blooming caravan city • Halfway between Yemen and Syria • 500 settled by nomadic group called Quraysh (koo-RYYSH) • Location away from Byzantine Syria, Sasanid Iraq and Ethiopian controlled Yemen provided safety.

18. Muhammad • Born in Mecca 570 • Raised as an orphan by his uncle • Married and had several children. • Only son died • Worked in trade • Married a Quraysh widow named Khadija

19. Muhammad • Began meditating around 610 • During “Night of Power and Excellence” is visited by an angel of God • Conceived Islam after experiencing revelations from the angel Gabriel • Revelations continue until his death.

20. Arab Spirituality • Jinns - unseen desert spirits • Shaitans - demons • Believed in oracles, seers • Poets believed to be possessed by a jinn

21. Muhammad’s Teaching • One God created everything • At the end time all will be judged by sins vs. good deeds. • The blameless go to paradise. • Sinful will taste hellfire • Muslim - Means “one who makes submission to the will of God.”

22. Revelations include mentions of Noah, Moses and Jesus • Muslims consider Abraham/Ibrahim the first Muslim • Muhammad’s revelations criticize Jews and Christians for not preserving God’s revealed words • Islam means “submission/surrender to the will of God”.

23. Hijira • “Muhammad’s flight” • 622 Muhammad flees from Mecca to Medina. • Meccan leaders were threatened by his popularity and drove him out. • Medina located 215 miles to North • Date marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar

25. Umma • Before leaving for Medina, major kin groups meet with Muhammad and promise to protect him. • Binding themselves together into a single umma - unified community of believers that accepted Islam • Believed that Muhammad was the “Messenger of God” • Plans are made to return to Mecca and conquer it.

26. Ka’ba • Religious shrine located in Mecca • Reason Muslims pray towards Mecca • Mecca surrendered to Medina and Muhammad because of wars led by Muhammad • Mecca becomes a new state based on a common religious faith.

29. Medina also becomes a Muslim city-state. • Home to many Meccan refugees • Not all of Muhammad’s original followers became Muslims.

30. Review and Preview • Foundations of Islam • 1. Geographic Determinism • 2. Muhammad’s life 570 - 632 • 3. Caliphate established after death Quran created 650 Sunni v. Shi’ite split • 4. Umayyad Caliphate 661-750 = Spread of Empire • 5. Abbasid Caliphate 747 – 850 = Iranian Scholars create Islamic fundamentalism

31. Muhammad’s Death • 632 dies after brief illness. • Father in law of favorite wife A’isha chosen as new leader by kin group elders • Abu Bakr - chosen as caliph after Muhammad’s death. • Kalifa = successor (caliph)

32. Five Pillars • Abu Bakr assembles basic religious codes. • Basis of Muslim religious practices • 1. There is only one God and Muhammad is his messenger • 2. Prayer 5 times a day • 3. Fasting during lunar month of Ramadan • 4. paying alms • 5. Pilgrimage to Mecca once in life

33. Quran • Abu Bakr collects and organizes all the records of Muhammad’s teachings. • Completed in 650 • “Recitation” • Contains Muhammad’s revelations from the arch angel Gabriel • Seen by Muslims as the word of God

34. Islamic Split • After Muhammad’s death umma splits after third caliph Uthman is assassinated in 656. • Sunnis - followers of the “tradition” of the community. • Leadership picked by council of elders. • Shi’ites -supporters of Muhammad’s son in law Ali. Supported by Muhammad’s son-in laws and military

35. Battle of the Camel • 656 Ali (Shi ‘ites) defeats opposition – A’isha (Muhammad’s first wife) and two of Muhammad’s close friends (Sunni). • Ali is betrayed and assasinated.

36. Battle of the Camel • Ali’s son will also be assassinated • Shi’ites – sect established by supporters of Ali. • Will be supported by Muhammad’s relatives and military groups.