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Did you know? At least 42 nations are almost completely Islamic. There are 1 billion Muslims in the world. Only 20% of the world’s Muslims are Arabs. Arabia before Muhammad (born 570 AD) Madinah(Medina) Makkah (Mecca) Deserts • Only a small strip of fertile land in south of Saudi Arabia •Few oases •The rest is Desert Bedouins • Nomads who live in the desert • Organized into tribes and clans – Clans give security and support since they live in extreme conditions – Defended themselves from other clans who wanted water, grazing territory, livestock or food supplies Arabia was occupied by warring clans of nomads. Madinah(Medina) Makkah (Mecca) Islamic Way of Life • Bedouin valued – Courage – Loyalty to family – Warrior skills • This would lead to Islamic way of life Trade Routes • Many trade routes connected Arabia to major ocean and land trade routes –Extreme south of the peninsula –To the Byzantine in the north –Caravan routes went to the Silk Roads in the east –Transported spices to the west Mecca • Located in Saudi Arabia • Important stop on trade routes • During holy months, caravans stopped in Mecca and this brought religious pilgrims who came to worship at the Kaaba Kaaba * Over the years many different gods and spirits were introduced here • Had over 360 idols brought by many tribes Most worshiped idols, especially in Mecca at the Ka’aba, the large stone shrine to a “goddess from heaven,” though a few still believed in one God. There were Jews and Christians in Arabia, too, but Christians didn’t translate the Bible into Arabic until after 700 AD. There was a political and religious void that Islam was about to fill. Muhammad Born in Mecca in 570 BCE, orphaned at age 6, taken in by grandfather and uncle, both in the caravan business. Muhmmad was born in about 570 CE. At that time Justinian II (565-595), was the Byzantine Emperor Rome had fallen 476 CE and Europe was in the “Dark Ages” Muhammad met Jews and Christians on his travels, learned stories from the Old and New Testaments. Married Khadijah, a wealthy widow, in 595 AD, and was freed from the life of a traveling merchant. In 610 AD, Muhammad claims that the archangel Gabriel appeared to him and told him to “recite” (qur’an in Arabic) everything he said. These were the first alleged revelations from Allah. The 74th Sura of the Quran is titled ‘the cloaked One’ Muhammad hurried home and wrapped Himself in cloak. He told Khadijih what had happened and she became the first to embrace Islam through its Messenger, Muhammad. His messages attacked idolatry. By 622 he had gathered enough followers that they were forced to leave Mecca for Medina. Muslims refer to this event as the Hijra; it is the year “0” on the Muslim calendar; A.H. = “year of Hijra.” Madinah(Medina) Makkah (Mecca) The first Muslims • Early followers of the Prophet pondering his words at Yathrib – aka Medina • Muhammad gave daily recitations of the messages he believed came from Allah – which his followers faithfully recorded Muhammad & followers construct first Mosque in the world in Medina 623 CE Battle of Badr (see Qur’an 3:123) Muhammad routs a numerically superior Meccan army Swords of Muhammad Topkapi Museum - Istanbul 630 CE Muhammad marches on Mecca with 10,000 men Battle of Hunayn 31 January By 630 the believing community was large enough to return to Mecca in triumph and establish Islam as the official religion. Holy city • Right: Mecca – as it would have appeared around the time of his birth (below) Mecca (cont.) • Note the ka’aba in the background – at the center of the city Crisis • Muhammad dies in 632 • Muslims now had to find a new leader • Muhammad did not name a successor Solution • Muslims chose Abu-Bakr who was a loyal friend of Muhammad • He became the first Caliph • Caliph – (kay-lif) means successor or deputy Abu-Bakr • After Muhammad died some Muslims – Refused to pay taxes – Tried to say they were prophets themselves – Some tribes abandoned Islam • In order to get things under control, Abu-Bakr used the military to get authority. Muslim State • By the time Abu died, the Muslim state controlled all of Arabia • Under the next 2 caliphs they took: – Syria – Lower Egypt – Parts of Persia • By 750 they controlled from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indus River (2x the width of the USA!!) Muslim Troops • They were successful because they were – Willing to struggle till the end for Islam – Well disciplined – Expertly commanded • Enemies were not used to their style of warfare Byzantine and Persia • The Byzantine and Persia were already weak from long time conflicts • The people welcomed Islam Treatment of Conquered People • Muslims were tolerant of conquered people • The Quran forbids forceful conversion – They let others keep their religion if they paid a poll tax – People who did not convert were not allowed to spread their own religions Internal Conflict • The 2 Caliphs after Abu Bakr were assassinated • After their assassinations, the elective system of choosing caliphs ended Umayyads • A family that came to power in 661 • They set up a hereditary system of getting new leaders. • They moved the Muslim capital to Damascus Umayyads • Surrounded themselves with riches • Some Muslims did not agree with the Umayyads and split. The Split • Muslims split into two groups: SHI’A • Believe the leader should be a relative of Muhammad Shi’as (word means “division”) believe Muhammad appointed Ali, his son-in-law, before he died, even included the choice in the Qur’an, but others secretly burned those copies. They maintain that the true Caliph must be a direct descendant of Muhammad. SUNNI • This group followed the Umayyad rule and followed Muhammad’s example. Sunnis believe the true Caliph should be chosen by those close to Muhammad; did not have to be a relative of Muhammad. Most Muslims (85%) are Sunni. Sufi • Another group who reacted against the rich life of the Umayyads • They led a life of poverty and devotion to the spiritual life of Islam • They meditated and chanted • Focused on the Quran The disagreement led to internal battles and assassinations of leaders, but Islam spread rapidly throughout the Middle East and into Europe, stopped in France at the Battle of Tours in 732 AD. What made Islam so appealing? Christians were perceived by non-Christians as prejudiced; Muslims were not. Islam was a simple religion. Arabs were traders; it became profitable for non-Muslims to convert for business purposes. Muslim armies were adept at desert fighting. “People of the Book, go not beyond the bounds in your religion, and say not as to God but the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only the Messenger of God, and His Word that He committed to Mary, and a Spirit from Him. So believe in God and His Messengers, and say not, ‘Three.’ Refrain; better is it for you. God is only One God.” Qur’an, chapter 4:168 Muslims consider the Hadith, the words and deeds of Muhammad, to be authoritative also. What are the main concepts in the Qur’an? Submission. The word “Islam” means “submission”; a “Muslim” is “one who submits.” The greatness of God. Allah-hu-akbar means God is great! What are the main practices? They are called the “five pillars of Islam”. 1. Say the Shahada throughout the day. The oneness of God. Muslims confess throughout the day, “There is no God but Allah, Muhammad is His prophet.” 2. Pray five times daily, facing Mecca. Each prayer begins with a recitation of the opening chapter from the Qur’an. “In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate Praise belongs to God, the Lord of all Being, the All-merciful, the Allcompassionate, the Master of the Day of Doom. Thee only we serve; to Thee alone we pray for succour. Guide us in the straight path, the path of those whom Thou hast blessed, not of those against whom Thou art wrathful, nor of those who are astray.” Prayers must wash in the prescribed way before they pray. Prayers are formal and memorized and prayed in various postures, from bowing to kneeling. The word mosque means “place of prostration.” Muslim communities gather for collective prayer mostly on Fridays. 3. Alms: Muslims are required to give 2.5% of their income to the poor. 4. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) Every able bodied Muslim must make this pilgrimage once. Activities during hajj re-enact important events in life of Muhammad Focal point of the pilgrimage is the Ka’aba, recast as an Islamic, not a pagan shrine. (Muslims believe the Ka’aba houses the stone Allah gave Ibrahim when he almost sacrificed Ishmael.) 5. Fasting in the daylight hours during Ramadan, the month the Qur’an “came down.” Pneumonic Device I.S.L.A.M.I.C. Islam’s Holy Book • The Quran or Koran – contains the teachings revealed to Muhammad the prophet of Allah Qur’an Called the “book of heaven,” supposedly dictated to Muhammad by angel Gabriel. Divided into 114 chapters called suras, arranged from longest to shortest; a little shorter than the NT. The Qur’an refers to the Torah, Psalms, and “Gospel” (only the sayings of Jesus) as “Scripture.” but retells some biblical stories inaccurately. The Qur’an mentions Jesus many times, but declares that Jesus is only a prophet and that he was not crucified. Started in the Middle East • Islam began in Saudi Arabia, in the Middle East Laws = The 5 Pillars of Islam 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Faith in Allah Prayer 5 times a day facing Mecca Giving alms to the poor (charity) Fasting during Ramadan Make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in their lifetime llah • Allah is the Islamic name for GOD • Those who follow Allah are called MUSLIMS Muhammad •Muhammad is the founder of Islam •His teachings are written in the Koran Islam is Monotheistic • Name another religion we have studied that is monotheistic = Cities that are holy • Mecca – Muhammad was born here and is where the KAABA is located ities that are holy • Medina – This is the city where Muhammad started Islam Cities that are holy •Jerusalem – This is where Muhammad left to heaven from Kaaba • Is a large cube building • It is the holiest place in Islam • This is the building Muslims face during prayer