The Spread of Islam

1. The Spread of Islam Chapter 22

2. Introduction • Muslim and Ottoman Empires began on Arabian Peninsula • Originally Bedouins • Ancient religion was based on worshipping things in nature • In the 600s, Islam appeared and spread throughout Arabia

3. Islam • Islam means “the act of submitting to God” • Followers are called Muslims, which means “believers” • Founded by an Arab merchant named Mohammed, also known as “The Prophet” of Allah

4. Where Islam Began • Mecca was the largest and richest city in Arabia • A shrine, called the ka’bah, brought pilgrims to Mecca

6. The Founding of Islam • Read the section titled “Mohammed” that begins on page 320 • Take notes as you read about the founding of Islam

7. Islam’s Holy Book • The Koran or Qur’an • Written in Arabic • Describes the Five Pillars of Islam

8. The Five Pillars of Islam • Shahada: Recite the Islamic creed: “There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet” • Salat: Pray five times a day, facing Mecca • Sawm: Give alms (charity) to the poor • Zakat: Fast during the month of Ramadan • Hajj: Make a pilgrimage to Mecca

9. Words to Know • Ka’bah – Shrine in Mecca • Zemzen – Holy well near the shrine in Mecca • Anno Hegira – “Year of Flight” & first year of Muslim Calendar • Mosque – Muslim house of worship • Imam – Muslim prayer leader

10. The Arab Empire • When Mohammed died, his followers had to find a new leader • New leader was called a caliph which means “successor”

11. The Rightly Guided Caliphs • Mohammed’s family ruled as caliphs after he died • They led Muslims in jihad, or holy wars, against infidels, or nonbelievers • They believed if a Muslim died in jihad, he would go to paradise

12. The Umayyads • New caliph, Mu’awiyah, founded the Umayyad dynasty • Moved the capital from Medina to Damascus • The title of caliph became hereditary

13. Sunni and Shia Muslims • Shia (Shiite) Muslims believed that only a member of Mohammed’s family could be a caliph • Sunni (Sunnite) Muslims supported the Umayyad dynasty

14. The Abbasids • New rulers of the Arab Empire • Moved capital to Baghdad and built a beautiful city • Spread Arabic language and Islamic religion through the empire • Created government post of vizier, or chief advisor • Concentrated on trade rather than warfare

15. The Golden Age of Muslim Spain • Muslims from North Africa became known as Moors • They moved into Spain and set up a kingdom and defeated the Visigoths • This became known as a Golden Age because culture flourished

16. Islamic Life • Koran gave more rights and privileges to men • Men were in charge of women • Men could marry up to 4 women • Men could easily divorce their wives, but women had to give up everything to divorce their husbands

17. Islamic Life • Sons were more honored than daughters • Birth of sons was celebrated • Boys went to mosque schools

18. Arab Contributions • Alchemy • Tried to turn base metals into gold and silver • Kept records of experimentation • Basis of modern chemistry • Astronomy • Eclipses • Tides • Round earth • Algebra • Medicine • Doctors’ exams • Pharmacies • Circulation of blood • Contagious diseases like tuberculosis

19. Arab Contributions • The Arts • The Arabian Nights • History of the Arab Empire • Art work with geometric designs, starts, flowers, and leaves