The Arabs Muhammad Muslims and the Islamic Faith

The Arabs, Muhammad, Muslims, and the Islamic Faith

The Arabs l Nomadic people l lived in the Arabian Peninsula l moved continually to water and feed their animals. l Herded sheep and farmed on the Oasis l Caravan trade

The Arabs l Trace ancestors back to Abraham who was thought to build a shrine in Mecca (Mekkah) called the Kaaba (Kuh-ba) l They recognize a supreme God, Allah, but they also had other tribal gods.

Muhammad l Born to a merchant family in Mecca l Married his boss, a rich widow named Khadija l Believed to have received revelations from Allah while meditating

Muhammad's Word l For three years Muhammad preached in Mecca and only had 30 followers l they were persecuted and moved to Medina in 622 and built a following. l In 630 Muhammad returned to Mecca with 10, 000 soldiers, took over Mecca, many converted, and made the Kaaba a shrine

Muhammad l Muhammad believed that Allah revealed himself partially to Moses (Judaism) and Jesus (Christianity), but Allah’s final revelations were to him. l These revelations became known as the Quran (Koran), the scriptures of Islam l The Quran is ethical guidance for Muslims

The Teachings of Muhammad l Islam is monotheistic; Allah is all powerful creator of everything, offers salvation and the hope of an afterlife. l Muhammad is not considered divine, like Jesus in Christianity, He is a prophet who conveys Allah’s final revelations.

Five Pillars l To obey Allah’s will, Muslims must follow an ethical code l Belief, -there is only one God, Muhammad is his prophet l Prayer-five times a day, l Charity-give money to poor l Fasting-no food or drink from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan , l pilgrimage- expected to make one to Mecca during their life. (hajj)

Eternal Paradise l The faithful who follow the law are guaranteed a place in an eternal paradise.

Creation of an Arab Empire l Muhammad deaths left his followers with a problem of succession. l Some wanted Muhammad’s father-in-law Abu Bakr, to lead, and was named the caliph. l Under Abu Bakr, the Arabs conquered several others. By 650 the Arabs controlled Egypt, the Byzantine Empire and the Persian Empire. l They were fierce fighters led by brilliant generals. A Muslim that died in battle was assured a place in paradise.

Economy and Social Structures was prosperous because of trade by ship and camel. Caravans went form Morocco to the C silk and porcelain from China, gold and ivory from East Africa, spices from southeast Asia Allah but not in the Arab Empire. There was a well defined upper-class of ruling families, we oman had spiritual equality, but men were very much the dominant in society and in the hou The Brilliance of the Islamic Culture Arab Scholars translated Plato and Socrates utions to mathematics and the natural sciences. Adopted India’s numerical systems that in erfected astrolabe, which helped sailors to determine their location by observing the position Developed medicine, mosques (art blends) which represent Islam’s spirit.