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II. The Arabian Peninsula
EUROPE
ASIA
Persian Gulf
AFRICA
Mediterranean
Sea
Red
Sea
Indian Ocean
A.The Arabian Peninsula is a land bridge between
Asia and Africa – surrounded by water on 4 sides.1
B. More than ¾ of peninsula is desert.
C. Populated by a nomadic people called
BEDOUINS (bed-o-wens), who lived in clans and
tribes [also called ARABS].
D. They were able to live in the extreme desert
conditions and were fierce fighters, raiding each
others’ camps and caravans.
E. Bedouins were loyal to family and courageous.
F. Water and grass found in areas known as OASES.
G. Main animal for travel and transport: the camel
H. Largest town on western coast: MECCA.
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III. The Arabian Peninsula was a Crossroads
A.Trade routes connected Arabia to other parts of the
world.
B.Merchants from the Byzantine Empire and the
Persian Empire used caravan routes.
C.Good from the Silk Road often traveled through
Arabia.
D.Mecca, in the west, was an important stop on the
trade routes – many merchants.
E. IDEAS – as well as goods – traveled along trade
routes.
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IV. Early Religion in the Arabian Peninsula
A.Arab people were related to the Jews through
Abraham and his son, Ishmael.
B.Some Arabs in the peninsula were monotheistic,
but most were polytheistic.
C.Christians and Jews lived in Arabia.
D.A special house in Mecca, the Ka’aba, was a
shrine to many idols and was a PILGRIMAGE site
(a religious place you visit).
E. Many believed in a supreme god called ALLAH.
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V. Birth and Early Years of Muhammad
A.Born around 570 in Mecca and orphaned when
young. Raised by his grandfather and uncle.
B. Became a merchant.
C. Worked for, and then married, a wealthy
businesswoman named Khadijah.
D. He was familiar with Christianity and Judaism as a
result of business trips.
E. Muhammad took a great interest in spiritual
matters and spent much time in prayer and
meditation.
F. At about age 40, Muhammad had a revelation… .6
G. Muhammad believed that a messenger angel from
God, Gabriel, came to him.
H. Muhammad said Gabriel told him he (Muhammad)
would be God’s messenger.
I. Muhammad believed Allah had spoken to him and
that Allah was the one and only God – all others
had to be abandoned.
J. In Arabic, “Islam” means “submission to the will of
Allah.”
K. A “Muslim” is “one who had submitted.
L. Muhammad’s wife and a small band of friends
and family were his first followers.
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VI. The First Years of the New Religion
A.By 613, Muhammad began to preach publicly, but
had little success.
B. Many people believed his ideas would lead to
neglect of local gods.
C. Others believed that monotheism would be bad for
Mecca, because people would stop coming to the
Ka’aba to worship.
D. The heat was on, and Muhammad decided to flee
Mecca. He first sent his followers 200 miles away,
to Medina, and then he followed in 622.
E. This trip is called the HIJRA (or HEGIRA).
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F. Muhammad had more success in Medina and
became the political leader of the town (which
also had Christians and Jews).
G. His religious talents drew new followers to the
faith.
H. The Hijra is considered year 1 of the Islamic era.
I. Muhammad was also a skilled warrior and
became led raids against caravans going to and
from Mecca.
J. Soon, almost all the Bedouin tribes had
converted to Islam and joined Muhammad in
religious and military matters.
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K. In 630, Muhammad and 10,000 followers
entered Mecca and seized the city.
L. From the roof of the Ka’aba, Muhammad
declared, “Truth has come and falsehood has
vanished.”
M. The idols in the Ka’aba were destroyed, and the
site became the
most holy spot
of the new
religion.
N. Muhammad
died in 632 at
the age of 62.
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