Download Islam PP

The History of Islam
570-1258
Background
• Islam: One of the world’s great religions
– Birth place: Middle East on the Arabian Peninsula,
• Important cities: Mecca and Medina
Medina
Mecca
Founder
• Muhammed
–
–
–
–
Born in Mecca, AD 570
Raised by uncle, became a trader
Married, age 25 to Khadija (AD 595)
Age 40, had a vision
• Told by angel to preach monotheism to Arabians
• Became the Prophet
– AD 622, forced to leave Mecca, went to Yathrib
(Medina) = Hegira (flight)
– AD 630, returned and conquered Mecca with an army
• Dedicated the Kaaba, sacred shrine, to the one God, Allah
– 632, Muhammed died
• Islam had spread across entire Arabian Peninsula
Beliefs
• 5 Pillars:
– Belief in one God, Allah and Muhammed, his
prophet
– Prayer, 5 times per day
– Charity
– Fast during Ramadan
– Hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca
– **Jihad, struggle for faith
• Also “Holy War”
Beliefs/Practices
• Other items
– Islam means
“submission”
– Muslim is one who
“submits”
– So, the religion is called
Islam. A follower of
Islam is called a
Muslim.
Beliefs/Practices
• Mosque: Islamic place of worship
– Unique feature: Minarets: towers, used for “call to
prayer”
Beliefs/Practices
• Koran: Islamic holy
book
– Some similar stories to
the Bible
– Noah, Moses
– Jesus, a prophet
Beliefs/Practices
• The Kaaba:
– Ancient shrine
Muslims believe
was built by the
Prophet Abraham
– Used to worship
“many gods”
before Islam.
History
• 661, Islam split into two branches:
– Sunni: Any devout Muslim could be “Caliph”
– Shia: Only descendants of Muhammed could be
“caliph”
• Caliph: successor of prophet, leader
• Ummayyad Dynasty: 661-750
• Abbassid Dynasty: 750-1258
• Spread of Islam:
– 661: All of Middle east
– 732: Across North Africa
– After 800’s, even further spread of Islam
Spread of Islam
Reason for Success
• Arab armies were united by their beliefs
– Warriors who died in service of Islam won a
place in paradise
– Riches to be during conquest of lands
• Jihad also motivated soldiers
– Protecting the religion- holy lands or people