Section I: The Rise and Spread of IslamSection I: The Rise and Spread of Islam

(Pages 170-178)(Pages 170-178)

Section I: The Rise and Spread of IslamSection I: The Rise and Spread of Islam

(Pages 170-178)(Pages 170-178)

This section is about:This section is about: Muhammad, the father of Muhammad, the father of

the monotheistic religion of the monotheistic religion of Islam.Islam.

How Muhammad attracted How Muhammad attracted followers all over the followers all over the Arabian Peninsula.Arabian Peninsula.

The basic beliefs of Islam The basic beliefs of Islam and how it spread to Asia and how it spread to Asia and the Mediterranean and the Mediterranean regions.regions.

How Turkish speaking How Turkish speaking groups challenged Islamic groups challenged Islamic rulers.rulers.

Islam began on the Islam began on the Arabian Peninsula – Arabian Peninsula – in southwest Asia.in southwest Asia.

We really just call the We really just call the area area ““the Middle the Middle East.East.””

ItIt’’s one of the driest s one of the driest areas of the world, areas of the world, with no permanent with no permanent rivers or lakes (but rivers or lakes (but there is an occasional there is an occasional oasis).oasis).

The Middle East is also a The Middle East is also a ““crossroadscrossroads”” of of trade.trade.

Camels helped carry Camels helped carry on trade between on trade between Africa, Asia, and Africa, Asia, and Europe. Europe.

Incense, spices, gold, Incense, spices, gold, ivory, silk…. all traded ivory, silk…. all traded – often in and around – often in and around MeccaMecca..

Mecca was first known Mecca was first known as Arabiaas Arabia’’s busiest s busiest trading center – ittrading center – it’’s s now the center of the now the center of the Muslim religion.Muslim religion.

One of the Arab clans that One of the Arab clans that lived lived

in Arabia were…in Arabia were… … … Bedouin Nomads.Bedouin Nomads. They were desert travelers They were desert travelers

who raised sheep, goats, who raised sheep, goats, and camels.and camels.

They often had to travel They often had to travel great distances to find food great distances to find food and water for their and water for their animals.animals.

One of these Bedouins was One of these Bedouins was named Muhammad.named Muhammad.

He ended up becoming the He ended up becoming the most important person in most important person in the history of Islam.the history of Islam.

MuhammadMuhammad was born in Mecca – about 570 AD was born in Mecca – about 570 ADHis uncle raised him (his parents both died before he was His uncle raised him (his parents both died before he was

even 7)even 7)

Muhammad was one of those Muhammad was one of those guys who liked to wander off guys who liked to wander off by himself and think about by himself and think about things (like the meaning of things (like the meaning of life).life).

One day (in 610), he had a One day (in 610), he had a vision: vision: the angel Gabriel the angel Gabriel appearedappeared to him. to him.

Muhammad was told to Muhammad was told to preach the word of God.preach the word of God.

He didnHe didn’’t really know how to t really know how to do that, but he had dreams, do that, but he had dreams, and more visions, and got and more visions, and got advice from family and advice from family and friends.friends.

They told him he was They told him he was destined to be a destined to be a prophet prophet (a (a man who spoke for God).man who spoke for God).

His wife was his first convert.His wife was his first convert.

(like Buddha)(like Buddha)

Before long, some Before long, some people were listening people were listening

to himto him

He was telling people He was telling people that that AllahAllah was the one was the one true God – and Allah is true God – and Allah is the only one (and only) the only one (and only) God they should pray God they should pray to.to.

Some people believed Some people believed him and did what he him and did what he asked.asked.

Others began to harass Others began to harass and persecute him.and persecute him.

In 622, Muhammad and his In 622, Muhammad and his followers decided to leave followers decided to leave

Mecca. Mecca. The traveled to Medina (on a The traveled to Medina (on a

trip they called the hijra).trip they called the hijra). They left on July 16, 622 – They left on July 16, 622 –

which is day 1 of the Islamic which is day 1 of the Islamic calendar.calendar.

Muhammad successfully Muhammad successfully converted all of Medina to converted all of Medina to Islam and started what we Islam and started what we know as Islam.know as Islam.

Later, Mecca and Medina Later, Mecca and Medina had some issues between had some issues between them.them.

Muhammad and the Muslims Muhammad and the Muslims conquered Mecca in 630. conquered Mecca in 630.

He destroyed many statues He destroyed many statues in in the Kaabathe Kaaba and made it and made it into the center of the Muslim into the center of the Muslim religion.religion.

The teachings of The teachings of Muhammad:Muhammad:

All people are equal All people are equal before Godbefore God

There is only one There is only one God: AllahGod: Allah

Muslims must Muslims must ““submit to the will of submit to the will of AllahAllah””

Muslims must follow Muslims must follow the the ““Five Pillars of Five Pillars of IslamIslam””

The Five Pillars of Islam The Five Pillars of Islam (all Muslims (all Muslims MUSTMUST))

1.1. Confessional FaithConfessional Faith““There is no God but AllaThere is no God but Allahh ””

2.2. Pray 5 times a dayPray 5 times a day(facing Mecca)(facing Mecca)

3.3. Fast during Ramadan Fast during Ramadan (sunrise to sunset)(sunrise to sunset)

4.4. Give alms to the poorGive alms to the poor(2 ½ % of salary +)(2 ½ % of salary +)

5.5. Make a Pilgrimage (Make a Pilgrimage (hajjhajj) ) to Meccato Mecca(at least once in your (at least once in your lifetime)lifetime)

Just one man talking about the beliefs of Islam – but very full of information

The KoranThe Koran (Quran): (Quran): the book of Muslim rules and lawsthe book of Muslim rules and laws

Is the word of god, given to Is the word of god, given to Muhammad, by the angel Muhammad, by the angel Gabriel.Gabriel.

Guides Muslims through Guides Muslims through every aspect of life: moral, every aspect of life: moral, social, political, and legal.social, political, and legal.

The first Chapters: The first Chapters: describe the goodness and describe the goodness and power of Allah.power of Allah.

There are many similarities There are many similarities to the Jewish and Christian to the Jewish and Christian bibles. bibles.

Muslims even called them: Muslims even called them: ““the people of the bookthe people of the book”” and were a little tolerant of and were a little tolerant of them.them.

The Koran is the most read book ever

The Bible is the most read book ever

(in it’s original language)

Many Muslims view Islam as a very old Many Muslims view Islam as a very old religion. Many other people view it as a religion. Many other people view it as a

newer religion.newer religion.One SideOne Side

They feel they believe in the They feel they believe in the same God (Allah) who was the same God (Allah) who was the god of the Jews/Hebrews and god of the Jews/Hebrews and Christians. Christians.

Allah just came back again to Allah just came back again to tell Muslims about who he tell Muslims about who he was - to Muhammad.was - to Muhammad.

Muslims are the Muslims are the ““Chosen Chosen People of God/Allah.People of God/Allah.””

The Other SideThe Other Side Hebrews feel theyHebrews feel they’’re re ““GodGod’’s s

Chosen PeopleChosen People”” through through Abraham.Abraham.

Feel these Muslims have come Feel these Muslims have come up with an entirely new thing.up with an entirely new thing.

Here’s how it’s supposed

to have happened:

Very simply, Abraham and Sarah his wife were passed Very simply, Abraham and Sarah his wife were passed child bearing age but God had promised them a son. child bearing age but God had promised them a son. Being impatient, as we humans are, and as was a Being impatient, as we humans are, and as was a custom then, Sarah tried to hurry things along. custom then, Sarah tried to hurry things along.

She told Abraham to take her servant, Hagar and have She told Abraham to take her servant, Hagar and have a son by her, which Abraham did. This son was named a son by her, which Abraham did. This son was named Ishmael (but he was not the promised Son).Ishmael (but he was not the promised Son).

Eventually, Sarah did conceive and bear a son, Isaac, Eventually, Sarah did conceive and bear a son, Isaac,

which was the promised son. Sarah became jealous of which was the promised son. Sarah became jealous of Hagar and asked Abraham to get rid of his and Hagar and asked Abraham to get rid of his and Hagar’s son, which eventually happened. He sent Hagar’s son, which eventually happened. He sent them away – into the desert. them away – into the desert.

Issac was to father Jacob and Jacob was to father Issac was to father Jacob and Jacob was to father twelve sons, some of these too were by servants. twelve sons, some of these too were by servants. These twelve sons were the twelve patriarchs, These twelve sons were the twelve patriarchs, fathering the twelve tribes of Israel or the nation of fathering the twelve tribes of Israel or the nation of Israel. Israel.

However, Ishmael also fathered twelve sons that However, Ishmael also fathered twelve sons that became large tribes but these were always the enemy became large tribes but these were always the enemy of Israel and gave Israel much trouble over time. of Israel and gave Israel much trouble over time.

                                                                                                                                                         

When he conquered Mecca, When he conquered Mecca, Muhammad was 60 years oldMuhammad was 60 years old

He only lived 2 more He only lived 2 more years.years.

But before he died, he But before he died, he did teach that Muslims did teach that Muslims must spread Allahmust spread Allah’’s rule.s rule.

Sometimes this might Sometimes this might require jihad (which can require jihad (which can mean different things to mean different things to different people).different people).

Jihad Jihad can mean great can mean great effort, great struggle, effort, great struggle, and sometimes even and sometimes even implies fighting and implies fighting and wars.wars.

Who would take MuhammadWho would take Muhammad’’s s place?place?

No-one.No-one. Muslims consider Muslims consider

Muhammad the last of Muhammad the last of the prophets.the prophets.

4 men tried. They were 4 men tried. They were called caliphs (Arabic called caliphs (Arabic for successors).for successors).

They acted as political They acted as political and religious leaders and religious leaders and oversaw the spread and oversaw the spread of Islam (Muhammad of Islam (Muhammad told his followers to told his followers to ““spread the word.spread the word.””).).

1. Abu Bakr – united the Arab peninsula

2. Umar – led armies which spread Islam out of the Arabian peninsula.

3/4. Uthman and Ali – expanded the empire east and west

Among Muslims,, two separate groups Among Muslims,, two separate groups arose arose (they still exist even today)(they still exist even today)

SunnisSunnis Larger of the two.Larger of the two. Supported the caliphs.Supported the caliphs. Believed the Koran was Believed the Koran was

the only guide they the only guide they needed.needed.

ShiitesShiites (several)(several) Believed the only Believed the only

successor to Muhammad successor to Muhammad had to be his daughter, had to be his daughter, son-in-law, and their son-in-law, and their descendants.descendants.

Believed they needed a Believed they needed a person as a guide – person as a guide – between Allah and the between Allah and the people.people.

Are Lutherans and Catholics alike?

From 630 (MuhammadFrom 630 (Muhammad’’s death) – 750s death) – 750 Muslims armies fought, Muslims armies fought,

conquered, and conquered, and controlled: Rhodes, Sicily, controlled: Rhodes, Sicily, North Africa, Afghanistan, North Africa, Afghanistan, the Byzantines, Jerusalem, the Byzantines, Jerusalem, Persia, Syria, Iraq, Persia, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Egypt, North Palestine, Egypt, North Africa, and even some of Africa, and even some of China.China.

But, not Europe – they But, not Europe – they would remain Christian.would remain Christian.

The Abbasid Dynasty started making the The Abbasid Dynasty started making the Muslim world special - for reasons besides Muslim world special - for reasons besides

MuhammadMuhammad Built mosques, schools, and Built mosques, schools, and

hospitals.hospitals. Economics based on Economics based on

agriculture, commerce, and agriculture, commerce, and manufacturing.manufacturing.

Built a new capital on the Built a new capital on the Tigris River (Baghdad).Tigris River (Baghdad).

Brought in new plants: rice, Brought in new plants: rice, sugar cane, lemons, limes, sugar cane, lemons, limes, bananas, coconuts, palms, bananas, coconuts, palms, spinach, eggplant.spinach, eggplant.

Traded: porcelain from Traded: porcelain from China, ivory and gold from China, ivory and gold from Africa, furs from Europe, Africa, furs from Europe, spices, gems, linens, beautiful spices, gems, linens, beautiful glassware.glassware.

Peace, prosperity, the arts, Peace, prosperity, the arts, learning, literature, poetry, learning, literature, poetry, medicine, math, astronomy…medicine, math, astronomy…

Another Muslim group arose at this time: Another Muslim group arose at this time: SufisSufis

They believed they got closer to Allah They believed they got closer to Allah

through continuous inner prayer, fasting, through continuous inner prayer, fasting, and other rituals.and other rituals.

Whirling Dervishes

The Empires of the caliphs did not remain The Empires of the caliphs did not remain unitedunited Most of the lands conquered by Most of the lands conquered by

the Muslims adopted Islam.the Muslims adopted Islam. But, the caliphs all wanted to But, the caliphs all wanted to

do their own things. At one do their own things. At one time there were even 3 time there were even 3 different caliphs (Baghdad, different caliphs (Baghdad, North Africa, and Spain). North Africa, and Spain).

That allowed one group of That allowed one group of Turks (the Seljuks) to move in.Turks (the Seljuks) to move in.

The Seljuks grew stronger in The Seljuks grew stronger in the eastern part of the Muslim the eastern part of the Muslim

EmpireEmpire They replaced the caliph They replaced the caliph

with their own leader with their own leader and called him a and called him a sultansultan..

The Seljuks also The Seljuks also conquered an area ruled conquered an area ruled by the Christian by the Christian emperor emperor (Constantinople) and he (Constantinople) and he asked the pope for help asked the pope for help to get rid of them.to get rid of them.

The pope was more The pope was more interested in trying to interested in trying to win back Jerusalem than win back Jerusalem than Constantinople. Constantinople.

So, Pope Urban started a series of wars to So, Pope Urban started a series of wars to win back the holy lands of Jesus (including win back the holy lands of Jesus (including

Jerusalem)Jerusalem)

These wars were called: These wars were called: the Crusades.the Crusades.

The Crusaders conquered The Crusaders conquered Constantinople and Constantinople and eventually Jerusalem, but in eventually Jerusalem, but in the process killed many the process killed many men, women, and children.men, women, and children.

For 150 years, fighting For 150 years, fighting went on between Christian went on between Christian Crusaders and Muslims.Crusaders and Muslims.

The Muslim empire was The Muslim empire was never again as united as it never again as united as it was before these wars.was before these wars.

Horrible History – The Crusades