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THE RISE OF ISLAM
THE ARABIAN PENINSULA
The climate of this peninsula is: harsh and desert
Bedouins were nomads in the desert organized into clans.
Arabia linked 3 continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe
Arabia was a crossroads of trade and ideas. Its most important city was Mecca.
THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
In A.D. 570, Muhammad was born into a powerful family in Mecca.
At 40, this religious man was visited by the angel Gabriel, who told him his destiny. What was
it?
To become a messenger of Allah
“Islam” is an Arabic word meaning “submission to the will of Allah”.
In 20 years, Muhammad and his followers united Arabia under Islam.
BELIEFS OF ISLAM
The holy book of Islam is the Qur’an.
Muslims’ place of worship is a mosque.
The beliefs of Islam are its Five Pillars.
1. Faith
2. Prayer
3. Alms
4. Fasting
5. Pilgrimage
Muslims regard Jews and Christians as “people of the book”.
THE SPREAD OF ISLAM
Death of Muhammad  chaos Followers elected a caliph to succeed him.
Islam soon spread like “wildfire” because:
1. Muslim armies were superior to those around them
2. Persecuted peoples supported the Islamic armies
3. Tax benefits existed inside the Muslim Empire for those who converted
By 750, the Muslim Empire stretched 6,000 miles (about twice the distance across the U.S.A.)
over 3 continents.
TREATMENT OF CONQUERED PEOPLES
The holy book of Islam, the Qur’an , forbids forced conversion.
Christians and Jews are considered “people of the book” or protected people.
INTERNAL CONFLICT
Civil wars, assassinations, and power struggles in the Empire.
The Umayyads established the first Muslim dynasty.
Islam splits:
Shi’as believe that the caliph must be a relative of Muhammad.
Sunnis do not believe this. Today, 83 % of Muslims are Sunni.
The Abbasid dynasty came to power after the Umayyads.
MUSLIM TRADE NETWORK
Trade routes along the Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, and the Silk Road.
Merchants used a single language, Arabic, and a single currency, the Abbasid dinar.
What are the advantages of this? Simplified trade and communication. Allowed for cultural
diffusion.
Muslims were responsible for innovations in banking: Checks (also credit systems)