The Rise of Islam

1
The Rise of Islam

• SS.A.3.4.4 SS.D.2.4.6 SS.B.2.4.1

2
The Arabs

• Semitic people (like Hebrews Assyrians) from
  the Arabian Peninsula
• Nomads, moving to find water, organized into
  tribes
• Tribes ruled by Sheikh, chosen by elders
• Farmers, sheepherders, traders
• Helped support trade routs between Mediterranean
  and China
• Problems in Egypt and Mesopotamia caused trade to
  shift from established trade routes to a route
  through Makkah (Mecca)
• Communities on this route grew rich

3
Religion of the Arabs

• Arabs trace their heritage back to Abraham (same
  as Hebrews), and his son Ishmael
• Believe Abraham and Ishmael founded Makkah
  (Mecca), and built the Kaabaa place of worship
  in Makkah
• Arabs were polytheistic, believing in many gods,
  but one supreme god named Allah (allah is Arabic
  for god)

4
A new faith, a new prophet of Allah

• Muhammad born in Mecca, orphaned at 5 years old
• Married a rich woman, also his boss
• Troubled by economic inequalities, he took to
  meditating in a cave
• Believed Allahs angel, Gabriel, spoke the words
  of God to him
• Believing that Allah had already revealed himself
  through Moses Jesus (Hebrew and Christian
  scriptures), the revelation made through Muhammad
  would be the last words of Allah to mankind

5
A new religion is born

• Muhammad believed he was the last prophet, in a
  long line of prophets
• Muhammads faith became known as Islam peace
  through submission to the will of Allah
• Muhammad wrote what Allah told him in the Quran
  (holy book of Islam)
• Followers of the new faith are called Muslims
  (those who submit)

6
Slow spread of Islam

• Muhammad began preaching in Mecca
• After 3 years of preaching, only 30 followers
• Muslims persecuted in Mecca
• A.D. 622 Muhammad and Muslims leave Mecca for
  Yathrib (later renamed Medina, or city of the
  prophet), this journey became known as Hijrah
• 622 becomes year 1 of the Muslim calendar

7
Picking up the pace

• Islam spreads quickly in Medina, and in the
  desert among Bedouins (Arabs in the desert)
• Muslims saw no separation between religious and
  political authority
• Muhammad soon became political leader of Medina,
  and raised an army to protect faithful Muslims
• Medinan army beats Mecca in battle, others begin
  to believe, Islam grows

8
Mecca Medina

• 630 A.D. Muhammad returns to Mecca with army of
  10,000 Mecca surrenders
• Most inhabitants convert to Islam
• Muhammad visits the Kaaba, names it a holy place
  of Islam
• Muhammad dies in 632, as Islam soars
• Muslims are required to, if able, make a
  pilgrimage to the Kaaba at least once in a
  lifetime

9
Islamic Teaching

• Monotheistic Allah is only God, and Muhammad is
  his prophet
• Hinges on salvation, must submit to live
• Believe people rejected earlier prophets (Moses,
  Elijah, Jesus, etc) so Allah made a final
  revelation through Muhammad
• After Muhammads death, scholars issue shariah
  a code of law applying the Qurans teachings to
  everyday life
• Dictates family life, busines practices,
  government and moral conduct
• Forbidden behavior gambling, eating pork,
  drinking

10
Five Pillars of Islam

• Belief There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad
  is his prophet
• Prayer Must perform prescribed prayers five
  times a day
• Charity giving alms giving part of ones
  wealth to the poor
• Fasting Refraining from eating or drinking from
  dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan
• Pilgrimage Must visit Mecca once in life