Chapter 11

1. Chapter 11 Section 1 The Rise of Islam

4. Arabian Peninsula • 1,400 miles north-south along the Red Sea • 1,250 miles east-west • Mostly desert – an occasional oasis • a fertile spot in the desert where underground spring comes to the surface

11. Early Inhabitants • Nomads called Bedouins – herders used camels (ships of the desert) for travel • Divided into clans • Worshiped hundreds of gods & spirits • Believed they resided in natural objects • Known for their hospitality to travelers

13. Founding of Islam • Muhammad – born Mecca – 570 • Orphaned at 6 • Worked as camel driver • 25 married Khadija– wealthy older widow women • Marriage produced two sons and four daughters

15. Muhammad • Age 40 – believed the angel Gabriel spoke to him & ordered him to preach the word of Allah – the one true God

16. Muhammad’s early preaching • Mecca’s rulers opposed to Muhammad’s teachings • Many pilgrims came to visit the Kaaba – small stone building that housed statues of the Arabs 360 gods—plus Black Stone • No pilgrims = no money for local merchants • 622 Muhammad & followers travel from Mecca to Medina – the Hijra – the first year of the Muslim calendar

23. Islam = “submission to the will of God” • Followers of Islam – called Muslims means “one who submits” • Won many converts in Medina—preached that all people were to submit to Allah—seen as a prophet and political leader • 630 leads an army that captures Mecca – destroys the statues of idols in Kaaba • 632 – Muhammad dies but by then most of the Bedouins had converted to Islam

24. Quran • Abu-Bakr – elected Caliph (means successor to Muhammad) writes down the words of Muhammad into the Quran – the holy book of Islam • Contains 114 chapters – suras – same as New Testament • Written in Arabic – the only language allowed in worship

27. Quran • Arranged according to length not subject • Only the Quran written in Arabic is considered to be the true words of Muhammad • Arabic became the common language of all Muslims • Islamic social teaching found in the Hadith, collection of traditional sayings and acts of Muhammad

28. Quran • States that people are responsible for their own actions • Day of Judgement for all Muslims • Everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah • Islam is based on strict monotheism • Muslims must meet five obligations known as the 5 Pillars of Islam

32. Jews & Christians • Muhammad said that the Torah & Bible contained partial revelations from God • Abraham, Moses, David & Jesus all prophets • Jews & Christians are “People of the Book” • Superior to idol worshippers • Tolerated in early Muslim society

33. Islam – A way of Life • Sharia – system of law that regulates the moral conduct, family life, business practices, government & other aspects of a Muslim community • Does not separate matters from criminal or civil law

35. Islam – A way of Life • Islam – religion & way of life • Must show temperance, humility, justice, tolerance, generosity, courage, & obedience to authority • Muslim men could have up to 4 wives but only if he treated them all equally • Could not marry non-believers

36. Islam – A way of Life • Forbidden to eat pork or drink alcoholic beverages—gambling and money lending forbidden • Permitted slavery but couldn’t enslave other Muslims • Believes in Jihad – fighting to defend or spread the faith (tongue, heart, the hand, sword) • Warriors sins forgiven & receives rewards in heaven (72 virgins—Paradise)

37. Islamic religious practices • No religious images • No elaborate ceremonies • No formal priesthood – mullahs – learned men in the Islamic faith & law • Muslims worship in Mosques • Men & women do not worship together • Friday holy day of worship • Called to worship by muezzin at prescribed times throughout the day

39. Status of Women • Women had greater protection under the law in early Muslim societies • Can not kill baby daughters • Can inherit property • Had to freely consent to marriage--divorce • Must obey husband, care for children, manage household

40. Muslim Women • Will begin practice of veiling and secluding them within the home (Harems—separate part of Muslim household reserved for wives, concubines, and female servants) • More restrictions on women as Islam developed

44. Spread of Islam • Spread of Islam will be rapid throughout the Middle East—Arabs united for first time • People converted because of message was clear and simple • One God, equality of all believers, no need for clergy or church • Corruption of Byzantine and Persian Empires

46. Split in Islam • Caused by dispute over Muhammad’s successor • Sunni believed caliph should be chosen by leaders of Muslim community—not a religious authority • Shiites (Shia) believed true successors (Imam, would be the political and religious leader of the community of believers) to the “Prophet” were descendants of Muhammad’s daughter and son-in-law (Fatima and Ali)

47. Spread of Islam • By the 9th century Islam included North Africa, Spain, Middle East, and Egypt • The term Dar Al-Islam, “world of Islam” was the conception that all areas ruled by Muslim Caliphs belonged to a larger Islamic world—appearance of one culture or state • Made Islam a whole way of life—Islamic kingdoms everywhere ruled by the same set of laws (sharia)—fostered trade and commerce

48. Development of Sufism • Developed in Baghdad, a mystic Islamic movement—Allah could be reached through movement and song (“whirling dervish”) • Men and women wore a coarse wool robe called a suf • Taught that individuals could find salvation through fasting, prayer, and meditation • Played role in spreading Islam in Africa, India, and Southeast Asia

50. ACHIEVEMENTS • In architecture used domes and arches in Byzantine style • Distinguishing feature is the minaret, slender towers on mosques