Download Islam - Nutley Public Schools

Islam
Rise of Islam
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Islam emerged in the Arabian Peninsula
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The region was an important crossroad for
trade
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The two leading towns were Mecca &
Yathrib(Medina)
Islam means submission

A Muslim is a person who submits to God
Background

Islam: One of the
world’s great
religions
Medina
Mecca
Muhammad

Born in Mecca around
570

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Orphaned as a child &
raised by his uncle
At 25 he married
Khadija who recognized
his spiritual qualities

She encouraged him to
spend time praying and
fasting
Muhammad


During a retreat he heard the voice of
Gabriel ordering him to “proclaim”
As God’s prophet he began to spread
the message of one God


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Won over very few converts
Muslim = “one who submits”
Islam = “to submit”
The Hejira


AD 622 After his wife’s death he was
forced to leave Mecca
Moved to Yathrib or Medina (city of the
prophet)


Became known as the hejira or the
beginning of the spread of Islam
His followers proclaimed it the first year of
the Muslim calendar
Important Dates


630 conquered Mecca
632 Muhammed died
Five Pillars

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1. Believe in one God, Allah
2. Pray 5 times a day
3. Charity to the poor and aged
4. Fasting during the month of
Ramadan
5. Pilgrimage to Mecca or hajj
6. Jihad: Struggle for faith, “Holy War”
The Koran


Sacred book of
Islam
Authority on all
subjects

Religion, politics, law
and social life
Mosque


Muslim house of
worship
Minaret: Towers
used for the “call to
prayer”
The Kaaba

Ancient shrine
Muslims believe was
built by the Prophet
Abraham
Divisions

In 661divisions in Islam


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Dispute over who should become
successor to the prophet or Caliph
Sunni- leader should be elected from
those capable of the job
Shiites- leader should stay within the
prophets family
The Spread of Islam



After Muhammad’s
death Islam quickly
spread
By 661, entire
Middle East
By 732 the Arab
Empire included

Middle East, Persia,
North Africa, and
Spain
Reasons for Success

Arab armies were united by their beliefs


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Warriors who died in service of Islam won
a place in paradise
Riches to be had during conquest of lands
Jihad also motivated soldiers

Protecting the religion- holy lands or
people