Download mohammed: the prophet of islam

Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Date _________
CHAPTER 9: The Islamic World and Africa
123
- IMPORTANT IDEAS A.
Mohammed founded Islam on the Arabian Peninsula in the seventh century.
B.
The Quran (Koran) is the sacred book of Islam. It records the teachings of
Mohammed.
C.
Muslims follow the Five Pillars of Islam: faith in one God, prayer, charity, fasting, and making a pilgrimage to Mecca.
D. Islam rapidly spread through the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain. Islamic
culture flourished under the caliphates. Islamic scholars made important contributions in mathematics, science and architecture.
E.
The gold-salt trade exchanged salt from the Sahara Desert with gold found in
West Africa.
F.
The gold-salt trade encouraged the growth of a series of prosperous kingdoms
in West Africa: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.
G. Other civilizations also flourished in Africa, including Ife, Benin, Zimbabwe,
Ethiopia, and the cities of East Africa.
H. The use of captives as slaves, a practice common in the ancient world, encouraged
later development of the slave trade.
In the fifth century, warfare between the Byzantine and
Persian Empires interrupted overland trade routes from
East Asia. Trade in spices, Chinese silks, and Indian cottons shifted to the sea routes connecting India with Arabia and the Red Sea. Overland caravans carried goods
up the western coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Cities
and towns developed near wells along these caravan
routes. Mecca was one of the most important of these
cities. In the seventh century, a new religion emerged
here: Islam. "Islam" is Arabic for "submission." Within
a hundred years, Islam grew to control an area larger
than the Roman Empire.
MOHAMMED: THE PROPHET OF ISLAM
Islam was founded by Mohammed. Born in 570, he worked in Mecca as a merchant and a
shepherd. He had a religious nature and often meditated in a nearby cave. One day, Mohammed had a vision that the Angel Gabriel commanded him to convert the Arab tribes, who then
believed in many gods, to belief in a single God, known in Arabic as "Allah."
_
-----~--.-
.....
.
---.-----------...---.......
-
-
-
_.... _--
-
... -~
-
.
..---
- - -
------
-----
___________________________________________ Date _________________
CHAPTER 9: The IsLamic World and Africa
125
THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
In contrast to some reliFIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
gions, Muslims worship
God directly without the
Fasting
intercession of a priest or
clergy. The Five Pillars
of Islam - faith in one
God (monotheism), prayer,
charity, fasting, and pilgrimage -- make up the
basic religious duties that
all Muslims must fulfill. In so doing, Muslims
strengthen their faith in
and service to Allah, whom they see as the supreme, all-powerful and all-knowing God.
THE ISLAMIC RELIGION SPREADS
Islam united the various Arab tribes with a common language (Arabic) and religion. Strengthened by their newfound unity, they set out on a "holy war" against non-believers. The Arabs
were experienced desert fighters who fought with enthusiasm to gain entry into Heaven.
I
o
FRICA
Arabian
Sea
In contrast, by this time the Byzantines and Persians were both weakened from centuries of fighting each other. Over the next century, Arab Muslims succeeded in creating a
vast empire that extended from the Indus valley into Europe as far west as Spain. Muslim
expansion in Europe was only halted at the Battle of Tours.
Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Date _ _ _ _ _ _ __
CHAPTER 9: The Islamic World and Africa
127
APPLYING WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED
Research one Islamic invention or contribution in mathematics, science, or technology, such as Arabic numerals or algebra (an Arabic word). Then describe that invention or contribution and describe its importance to the modem world.
The prosperous Islamic Empire attracted invaders from Central Asia. In the 11 th century, Baghdad was captured by the Seljuk Turks - a Turkish tribe from Central Asia.
Although conquerors, the Seljuk Turks converted to Islam. Baghdad remained the capital
of their new empire.
In the 12th century, Muslims became engaged in a war with Christians over control of the
Holy Land, known as the Crusades. Christians captured Jerusalem in 1099, but the city was
later retaken by the Muslim leader and warrior, Saladin (1137-1193). Until this day, he remains
a hero to the Islamic world for uniting the Arabs and defeating the Crusaders in battle.
((f
~~ LEARNING WITH GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS;;
Complete the graphic organizer below. Identify who Mohammed was, the major beliefs of
Islam, and the major areas where Islam expanded.
ISLA
Beliefs
Areas
Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Date _ _ _ _ _ _ __
CHAPTER 9: The Islamic World and Africa
129
These merchants were especially motivated to cross the Sahara because of the gold and
other riches they could obtain from trade with West Africa. At the same time, part of West
Africa lacked salt - vital to human survival. Merchants, moving in camel caravans across
the desert, picked up large blocks of salt on their journey, to exchange for gold. A thriving trade developed, based on this gold-salt trade. Ideas were exchanged, such as Islamic
beliefs, as well as goods.
RISE OF THE WEST AFRICAN KINGDOMS
Around the fifth century, West Africa saw the rise of a series of powerful kingdoms based
on their control of trade routes and fine cavalries. For the next thousand years, their civilizations dominated West Africa - leading to an exchange of ideas, the rise of cities, and
increasing wealth.
KINGDOM OF GHANA (750-1200)
The first of these, the Kingdom of Ghana,
was founded about 750. It developed in the
region between the Senegal and Niger Rivers. The people of Ghana used their ability to
make iron swords, spears, and lances to subdue neighboring peoples and to gain control
over West Africa's major trade routes. Caravans brought salt south to Ghana, and returned
north with gold from forest areas southwest
of Ghana. The power of the kings of Ghana
rested on their ability to tax all trade passing
through the region, especially the salt and
gold trade. With these revenues, they were
able to raise an army with a large cavalry.
r------c-_ _ _--.....,...~:-::L"---~
-liLA rr
OCE ' .
I
The rulers of Ghana built a capital city and "
governed a wide area through the use of offi- .
cials and nobles. The king appointed nobles L - -_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _--'-~____.;---'--'------'"to govern the provinces in return for paying taxes to the central government. This system
had some similarities with European feudalism. Rulers and nobles were further enriched
by using captives of war as slaves. However, in 1076, the Ghanaians were invaded by
Muslims from North Africa. The Muslims brought Islam to West Africa. Ghana never fully
recovered from this invasion and eventually dissolved into several smaller states.
KINGDOM OF MALI (1240-1400)
In 1240, the people of Mali conquered the old capital of Ghana and established a new
empire. Their rulers brought both gold and salt mines under their direct control. Mali's
rulers converted to Islam, although most of their people did not adopt the Islamic faith and
stayed loyal to traditional religious beliefs.
Name ________________________________________
Da~
________________
CHAPTER 9: The Islamic World and Africa
131
OTHER AFRICAN STATES
The growth of trading kingdoms in the West African savanna, like Ghana, Mali, and
Songhai, was matched by the rise of trading kingdoms in other parts of Africa.
*
*
*
Ife and Benin. These kingdoms developed in the rainforests of West Africa.
They became famous for their copper and
bronze sculptures, which were among
the finest of all African artwork. By the
16th century, Benin became involved in
the slave trade. It traded captured persons
from other tribes and exchanged them
with Europeans for guns and iron goods.
I·
' EARLY AFRICAN KINGDOMS:
ZIMBABWE & BENIN
Zimbabwe. Further to the south, Zimbabwe was one of the best known of Africa's
trading kingdoms. The existence of gold
deposits near Zimbabwe was crucial to
its rise. It traded gold, copper, and ivory
from Africa's interior with Muslim traders
along Africa's east coast.
Coastal Cities of East Africa. Along the east coast of Africa, a number of independent
city-states arose around the 10th century. Gold from the African interior was sent down
the Zambia River to these cities, where it was sold to merchants from Arabia and India.
FAMILY ROLES AFRICA
In many traditional African societies, both boys and girls were separated from the community and underwent special ceremonies at puberty. Marriages were arranged by families,
and the groom paid a dowry to his bride 's family. Under Islam, women were limited to
running the household while their husbands represented the family outside it. There roles
were summed up by a traditional Ghanaian proverb: "A woman is a flower in a garden; her
husband is the fence around it."
PLY
G
o
HAT
Create your own timeline showing the periods of the kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and
Songhai. Then add Mansa Musa's pilgrimage. Use the Internet or your school library
to add two more events to your timeline.
600
I
I
I
700
800
900
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700
Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Date _ _ _ _ _ _ __
CHAPTER 9: The Islamic World and Africa
133
CHECKI &YOUR U DERSfA DI &
Directions: Put a circle around the letter that best answers the question.
Use the passage below and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
"The lord of this Mali kingdom has a great balcony in his palace. There he has a great
seat of ebony that is like a throne fit for a large and tall person. It is flanked by elephants'
tusks. The king's [weapons] stand near him. They are all gold; sword and lance, bow and
quiver of arrows. Before him stand about twenty Turkish pages, who were brought from
Cairo. One of these standing on his left, holds a silk umbrella topped by a dome with a
hawk made of gold. The king's officers are seated in a circle near him, in two rows, one
to the right, one to the left. Beyond them sit the commanders of the cavalry. In front of
him there is a person who never leaves him and who is his executioner; and another who
is his official spokesman. In front of him there are also drummers. Others dance before
their king to make him merry."
-
1
Which statement best expresses Ibn Battuta's point of view in this passage?
A Mali poses a major military threat to many of the other kingdoms of
North Africa.
B The ruler of Mali is both rich and powerful.
C The people of Mali lack knowledge of the world beyond their own borders.
D The ruler of the Kingdom of Mali appears as fragile and powerless.
~XAMINE
the question. This question tests your ability to interpret
a primary source written by Ibn Battuta. 1SECALL what you know.
You should recall that Ibn Battuta was an Arab traveler who visited
Mali. The passage records his observations. In this passage, he mentions rich materials like gold and silk. ApPLY what you know. Choice A
is wrong. The passage says nothing about Mali being a military threat.
Choice C and Choice D are also both wrong since these statements cannot be supported by the information in the passage. The best answer is
Choice B, since it expresses Ibn Battutu's point of view - from what he
observes, Mali's ruler is both prosperous and very powerful.
Now try answering some additional questions on your own.
2
Ibn Battuta, 1349
Which is an important duty for followers of Islam?
F give up all selfish desires
G fast in daytime during the month of Ramadan
H give up all wealth
J refuse to eat beef
Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Date _ _ _ _ _ _ __
CHAPTER 9: The Islamic World and Africa
135
7
One similarity between the Gupta Empire and the caliphates of the Islamic Golden
Age is that they both A made advances in mathematics and science
_
B gained wealth by obtaining gold from Africa
C stressed the importance of multiple gods and goddesses
D control1ed territories around the Mediterranean
8
One way in which the African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai were similar
was that they ~l!t¥I¥~
F benefited from the gold-salt trade
G directly controlled gold mines
H adopted Islam as the religion of their subjects
J improved their military strength with the use of gunpowder
Use the passage and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
"As for the spread of Islam, it was probably checked less by the mosquito than by the
tsetse fly. The Arabs were desert people who had succeeded in taming the camel and the
horse and had used these animals partly for the expansion of Islam elsewhere. The fact
that North Africa had so much desert aided the initial Arab penetrations. The desert was
familiar to the new conquerors. But thickness of vegetation growth as well as the presence of the tsetse fly in some areas kept the camels and the horses at bay and checked
the advance of Islam in at least certain parts of Sub-Saharan Africa."
-
9
Professor Ali Mazrui, The Africans, 1986
With which statement would the author of this passage most likely agree?
A Because of the tsetse fly, Islamic ideas never reached into
Sub-Saharan Africa.
B Dense vegetation, not desert, prevented the Islamic conquest of Sub-Saharan
Africa.
C The cavalries of the West African kingdoms were superior to the cavalries of the
Arabs north of the Sahara Desert.
D Arab conquerors were unable to cross the Sahara into Sub-Saharan Africa.
10 One important way in which the Silk Road and West African trade routes were similar
was that along all of these routes F the main items exchanged were ivory and tobacco
G concrete was used to improve the surface of the roads
H a single currency was used to make transactions easier
J ideas were exchanged as merchants interacted with each other
11 Historians value the writings of Ibn Battuta because he A provided the basis for many European holy books
B included advice on how to be a just ruler
C left descriptions of what he witnessed on his travels
D presented unbiased views of European life in the Middle Ages