The Islamic World

1. The Islamic World

2. The Rise of Islam • War between the Byzantine and Persian Empires disrupted trade routes from East Asia • Trade routes shifted to include the Red Sea and Arabian peninsula • Mecca was an important town along the caravan route for goods

3. Islam • The word Islam literally means “submission” in Arabic • The religion itself is called Islam but someone who practices Islam is called a Muslim or “one who submits” • Within a hundred years, Islam grew to control an area larger than the Roman Empire.

4. Mohammed • Mohammed was born in 570 and worked as a merchant • One day, while meditating in a cave, Mohammed was visited by the Angel Gabriel • Gabriel commanded him to convert the Arab tribes (who were polytheistic) to believe in a single God (Allah in Arabic)

5. Mohammed • Allah (in Arabic) is the same God worshipped by the Christians and Jews • Mohammed began to preach to his neighbors in Mecca • His wife was actually the first converted • At this point, Mecca was a pilgrimage city for polytheists, and so many merchants feared conversion would hurt business • Mohammed was forced to flee to the nearby city of Medina

6. Mohammed • Mohammed’s flight or “Hegira or hijra” in 622 to Medina marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar • While in Medina, Mohammed became a popular religious leader • In 630, Mohammed gathered an army and retook Mecca in a Jihad (insert discussion about Jihad here) • Mohammed died soon after but by this time most of the tribes on the Arabian Peninsula had united and converted to Islam

7. The Qur’an • Sometimes referred to as Koran • Most sacred text of Islam • Contains the words revealed to Mohammed by God • Mohammed had memorized the words and taught them to followers • Scribes later wrote these down • The Quran references both Jews and Christians • Also contains ideas about proper worship, conduct, treatment of women

8. The Qur’an • The fundamental belief is…. “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet.” • Fist Chapter of the Holy Quran… “In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Praise be to God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds; Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship. You alone we ask for help. Guide us in the right path; the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have deserved wrath, nor of those who go astray.”

9. The Five Pillars of Islam Faith Prayer Charity Fasting Pilgrimage There is no God but Allah and Moha-mmed is his prophet Muslims must pray five times a day, while facing east towards the city of Mecca Muslims must give money to the poor and pay taxes to the mosque During the month of Ramadan, Muslims cannot eat or drink during daylight hours If physically able, a Muslim must make a pilgrimage (religious trip) to Mecca

10. Apply it! • Take a look at the following quotes… • Decide whether you think these came from The Bible or the Qur’an

11. Quotes… • Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword • But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou also incline towards peace, and trust in God: for He is One that heareth and knoweth all things. • Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity or compassion. • Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.

12. Quotes… • The true servants of God the Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, reply with words of peace. • When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down. • Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error: whoever rejects evil and believes in God hath grasped the most trustworthy handhold, that never breaks.

13. Quotes… • But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.  • And among His signs is this: that He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest and peace of mind in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Certainly, herein indeed are signs for people who reflect. • If a woman will not wear a veil, let her also cut off her hair. But since it is a dishonor to a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her wear a veil

14. Quotes… • You shall not cut the hair on the sides of your heads, neither shall you clip off the edge of your beard. • You will not attain righteousness till you spend in charity of the things you love. • We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the law that had come before him. We sent him the Gospel, therein was guidance and light and confirmation of the law that had come before him, a guidance and an admonition to those who fear God. • Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily, to them will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.

15. Quotes… Bible • Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword • But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou also incline towards peace, and trust in God: for He is One that heareth and knoweth all things. • Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity or compassion. • Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. Qur’an Bible Bible

16. Quotes… • The true servants of God the Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, reply with words of peace. • When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down. • Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error: whoever rejects evil and believes in God hath grasped the most trustworthy handhold, that never breaks. Qur’an Bible Qur’an

17. Quotes… • But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.  • And among His signs is this: that He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest and peace of mind in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Certainly, herein indeed are signs for people who reflect. • If a woman will not wear a veil, let her also cut off her hair. But since it is a dishonor to a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her wear a veil Bible Qur’an Bible

18. Quotes… Bible • You shall not cut the hair on the sides of your heads, neither shall you clip off the edge of your beard. • You will not attain righteousness till you spend in charity of the things you love. • We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the law that had come before him. We sent him the Gospel, therein was guidance and light and confirmation of the law that had come before him, a guidance and an admonition to those who fear God. • Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily, to them will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions. Qur’an Qur’an Qur’an

19. Islam Spreads • Islam helped unite Arabic tribes • Common language • Common religion • Fought to conquer land • Experienced fighters • Promised Heaven for fighting

20. Islam Spreads • Byzantine and Persian Empires were weak from fighting each other • Islam’s expansion was only halted by Battle of Tours

21. The Caliphates • The leader or “successor to Mohammed” is called a Caliph • New caliphs founded the Umayyad Caliphate • Division between Sunni and Shiite (Shia) • Sunnis follow elected leadership • Shiites believe only Mohammed’s descendents could be caliphs

22. The Caliphates • The Umayyad caliphs built capital at Damascus • After 750, Abbasids took over caliphate • Focused on trade, not war • Built a new capital at Baghdad • As Islam expanded, they mostly converted or enslaved conquered peoples • At first, non-arabs had less rights • Eventually, all Muslims were equal

23. Relations with Jews and Christians • Christians and Jews were treated with respect • Worship the same God • Were permitted to have their own self-governing communities • Most had to pay special taxes • Could not hold public offices • Many conversions happened due to this

24. Golden Age • Arab Muslims absorbed achievements of Greeks, Persians, Romans, Jews and Byzantines • Controlled vast trading area • Many goods from all over • Larger than Roman Emipre • Cultural Diffusion! • Arabic became the standard language for literature, philosophy, art

25. Golden Age

26. Apply it! • Compare Christianity and Islam… • Describe the importance of the Muslim Golden Age and it’s influence on the modern world…

27. Worlds Collide • Although the Islamic Empire was prospering, Baghdad was invaded and captured by Seljuk Turks from Central Asia (11th Century) • Seljuk Turks converted to Islam, kept capital • War in the Holy Land • Christians wanted to take back holy land • Crusades • Christians took Jerusalem in 1099 but was retaken by Saladin • Saladin is still considered a hero for uniting Arabs and defeating Crusaders

28. Apply it! • How has this knowledge changed your view of Islam? • Hate grows from fear • Fear grows from lack of knowledge • Know more, fear less, reduce hate! • Islam without the flame war!