Download 10.1 – The Rise of Islam

10.1 – The Rise of Islam
The religion of Islam unites the
Muslim World religiously AND
politically.
Arabia before Muhammad
Bedouins – Nomadic
tribesmen who live in the
deserts.
Take pride in ability to
survive in harsh conditions
and fight off invaders.
Band together to form
armies and eventually large
farming communities.
Early 600s – Bedouins begin to trade with
neighboring empires.
Spices, incense, silk, and Eastern products
from along the old Royal Road.
Mecca – major stop on the trade route in
Western Arabia.
Ka’aba – house of worship in Mecca that
attracts pilgrims to worship.
Ka’aba – worshipping site for pilgrims
Rise of Islam
Arab lands are a mixture of religious peoples who
believe in monotheism (called hanifs).
Muhammad born into a powerful clan living in Mecca –
570.
Grows up to become a wealthy businessman but his
main interest is religion.
Muhammad is called to cave where he is spoken to by
Gabriel.
Convinced that this is Allah (God) speaking to him
through Gabriel, thus making Muhammad a prophet.
Islam: Muhammad’s Religion
Muhammad teaches that Allah is the ONE
and ONLY god and that all other religions
must be abandoned for Islam.
Islam – peace
Islam – peace through submission to Allah
Muslim – One who has submitted
Muhammad Spreads Islam
Muhammad preaches in
Mecca – 613 A.D.
Unsuccessful – His
teachings conflict with the
traditional Arab gods.
Meccans feel Islam will
cause pilgrimages to
decline.
Muhammad and his
followers are stoned in the
streets.
Hijrah
622 – Muhammad
leaves Mecca for
Yathrib (200 miles
north)
Success!
Muhammad converts
many and Yathrib is
renamed Medina
(“city of the Prophet”)
Islam spreads… by force
The Prophet becomes a general
Under Muhammad’s leadership, Islam
becomes a community.
Muhammad is:
Religious leader
Political leader
Military leader
Hostilities between Mecca and Medina
Many Bedouin tribes convert to Islam and join
Muhammad
630 – Muhammad marches on Mecca with
10,000
Mecca surrenders
Muhammad goes to Ka’aba and declares:
“Truth has come and falsehood has
vanished”
Muslims worshipping today
Muhammad becomes “immortal”
Meccans pledge loyalty to Muhammad thus
becoming part of the umma – Muslim religious
community.
Muhammad dies two years later
Ascends to heaven from the ancient Hebrew
rock where Abraham was set to sacrifice Isaac.
Muslims built The Dome of the Rock as the first
Islamic monument in 691 A.D.
The Dome of the Rock
Basics of the Islamic faith
Holy Book: Koran or Qur’an
The Five Pillars:
1 – Faith
2 – Prayer
3 – Alms
4 – Fasting
5 – Pilgrimage
The Five Pillars – duties that demonstrate a
Muslim’s submission to the will of Allah.
A Way of Life
Muslims do not separate their personal life
from their religious life.
Muslims have a personal relationship with
Allah (God), they are expected to worship
him directly
BUT
Islam does have the ulama, which are
religious officials who interpret the Koran
and law.
The Koran is the story of Muhammad’s life
and teachings.
The Sunna – Muhammad’s model for
proper living.
The Koran + The Sunna = Shari’a
Shari’a – The system of law that regulates
family life, moral conduct, and the
business and community life of all
Muslims.
Shari’a
Islam does not separate religious life from
other aspects like we do (criminal, civil,
law, education)
Islam brings unity to Muslims through the
shari’a. The religion dominates all parts of
one’s life.
Islam and Judaism/Christianity
To Muslims, Allah is the same God that is
worshipped in Judaism & Christianity.
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But, Jesus is a Prophet, not the Son of God
Koran is the word of God (as revealed to
Muhammad)
The Final Step
Step 1 – Judaism, Abraham, the Torah
Step 2 – Jesus, Gospels
Step 3 – Muhammad, Koran = Final Perfection
Pilgrimages to Mecca today
Ka’aba interior
Walk around 7 times, no break
Muslim Prayer – 5 times daily