In the 5th Century, warfare between the Byzantine and Persian Empires interrupted trading routes to East Asia

Trade routes shifted to sea routes connecting India, Arabia and the Red Sea

The city of Mecca became an important stop along the trade routes

Islam developed in Mecca and spread throughout the world

Within 100 years Islam grew to control an area larger than the Roman Empire

Islam was founded by Mohammed Mohammed was a merchant and shepherd in Mecca He often meditated in a cave near Mecca On one occasion, Mohammed had a vision from the

Angel Gabriel who commanded him to convert the Arab tribes to believe in a single God known as “Allah”

Mohammed and his ideals became very popular but was forced to flee Mecca.

The Kaaba was a temple filled with pagan idols, which people travelled to Mecca to worship at.

Mohammed was spreading a monotheistic religion and preaching against pagan idol worship. Merchants made their money off of these religious pilgrimages and were threatened by his growing influence.

Muhammed fled Mecca to Medina, where he gained a larger following

This event is known as Hijrah, and is the starting point of the Muslim Calendar

Mohammed returned to Mecca a few years later with an army to conquer Mecca, in what has become known as Jihad (Holy War)

The Quran is the sacred text of Islam Muslims believe it records the word

of God revealed to Mohammed by Gabriel.

It discusses forms of worship, proper conduct and the treatment of women

The fundamental doctrine of the Quran: “There is no God but Allah and

Mohammed is his prophet.”

Muslims worship God directly without the intercession of a Priest or clergy

The Five Pillars of Islam make up the basic religious duties that all Muslims must fulfill Declaration of faith in one God Prayer- 5 times daily, facing toward Mecca Charity Fasting during the month of Ramadan Hajj- Pilgrimage to Mecca

Islam united various Arab tribes with the common language of Arabic

Strengthened by their newfound unity, they set out on a holy war against non-believers

They fought with great enthusiasm to gain entry in to Heaven.

Arab Muslims succeeded in creating a vast empire that extended from the Indus River Valley into Europe as far west as Spain

Began in Mecca (Saudi Arabia) Spread through trade routes and holy

wars against non-believers Spread to the African Empires through the

salt and gold trading routes Muslim empire eventually extended

from the Indus River Valley as far west as Spain, and down into the early African Empires

Mohammed Merchant & Shepherd from

Mecca Had a vision from God to

convert the Arab tribes to believe in a single God “Allah”

Fled Mecca in fear of his life in 622 (known as Hijra)

Returned with an army in 632 to retake Mecca (known as Jihad or “holy war”)

Beliefs There is no God but Allah

(Monotheistic) Mohammed is a prophet

from God The Quran is the sacred

text The Five Pillars of Islam

Faith in one God Prayer Charity Fasting Pilgrimage

Abu Bakr- 1st caliph (successor to the prophet). Was one of Muhammad’s oldest friends, brought Arabic tribes together and expanded influence northward.

Umar- 2nd caliph. Further expanded influence, conquered Persian empire. Very tolerant to Christians and Jews, “people of the book” Many could choose to accept Islam or simply pay extra taxes

Uthman- 3rd caliph, killed because he favored his own tribe Ali- 4th caliph, supporters of Uthman thought Ali helped the

killers and war broke out. Assassinated Mu’awiyah- 5th caliph, had supported Uthman and

accused Ali

Shi’ah Muslims- Followers of Ali, believed that only his descendants (imams) should be caliphs. 10% of Muslim population

Sunni Muslims- Most Muslims accepted Mu-awiyah as caliph. Believe that agreement among Muslim people should settle religious matters. Majority of Muslim population

Sufi Muslims- Muslim mystics, tried to live simple lives centered on God.

Tariq- a Berber (North African Muslim) general led Moorish army to Spain in 711 CE

Moors- The Muslims who made Spain their home Tried to take France but failed,

continued to rule parts of Spain for over 700 years

Turks were nomadic groups from central Asia that converted to Islam

Turks gradually took political power away from caliph, were led by a Sultan Sultan- leader of the Turks who claimed to serve the caliph

Eventually took Baghdad, expanded influence outward Won lands as far away as north India

Eventually growth was slowed by outsiders Lost control of cities to Christians in the Crusades Mongols from the east destroyed Baghdad

Trade very important Islam began in Mecca, which was central to

trade between Asia, Africa, and Europe Muhammad was a merchant

Cultural diffusion Muslim cities were centers of learning,

particularly for science and mathematics Knowledge was spread into Europe by

Christian and Jewish scholars

Quran guided religious and daily life Slavery was common, but the Quran

encouraged people to free their slaves Women were treated fairly and could

control property. Could refuse an arranged marriage and could keep their own money and remarry if divorced.

Students attended religious study groups at mosques

Advanced students attended school to study science, math, and law

Lots of medical studies and advancements Surgical procedures, treatment of smallpox

and other diseases, and discovery of medicines

Geography was important because of trade Maps were improved- modified old Greek maps Created the astrolabe- calculate latitude based

on position of the stars Math- Our number system is based on the

Arabic number system

Architecture Mosques, palaces, libraries

served to show glory of Islam

Mosques- Muslim houses of worship

Minaret- Tower attached to the outside of a mosque

Literature and poetry One Thousand and One

Nights- a collection of Muslims stories and folk tales

Sinbad the Sailor, Aladdin, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

Preserved ancient Greek literature

Otherwise would have been lost