The Rise of Islam Geography of Arabia Arabia

The Rise of Islam

Geography of Arabia • Arabia is a peninsula that is mostly desert. There is intense heat. • Water is found only at oases, green areas fed by underground water. How did this influenced the way of life? • Arabs were organized into tribes, headed by a sheikh. Settled around oases.

Mountains of the Southwest • The mountains of the southwest have enough rainfall to support plants such as juniper and olive trees. How did this influence where people lived? • Many Arabs settled in villages in the mountain valleys because the rainfall supported plant life.

Oases A water source in the desert is called an oasis. The Bedouins would travel from one oasis to another. Grass and other plants edible by animals grow around the oasis.

The Bedouins • Some Arabs were desert herders who moved from oasis to oasis, to water and graze the animals. They herded sheep, goats, and camels. • These people called Bedouins lived in tents and ate dried fruit and nuts. • They drank milk, but rarely ate meat.

Bedouin Father and Son

Bedouin Camp

Bedouin Camel Drivers

Herders

Life in Arabian Villages • Many Arabs lived in villages located near oasis where they farmed or raised animals. • Some villagers were merchants who transported goods across the desert. • To fend off Bedouins, many traveled in caravans.

Camel Caravans

Makkha • Arab merchants founded towns along the trade routes. • Makkah, also known as Mecca, became the largest and richest trade center of them all. It was a crossroads for merchants. • It also became an important religious site. • Mecca was the holiest place in Arabia.

The Kabba • The Kabba was at the center of Makkah. • The Arabs believed that the great stone inside the Kabba was from heaven. • Pilgrims, people who travel to a holy place, flocked to Makkah.

Muhammad: Islam’s Prophet • Muhammad brought the message of Islam to the people of Arabia. • Muhammad was born in Makkah in A. D. 587. An orphan, he was raised by his uncle. • As a teenager, he worked as a caravan leader and eventually became a successful merchant. • He married and had children.

Beliefs of Muhammad the Prophet • Muhammad was dissatisfied and felt that the wealthy town leaders should return to the old ways. • He thought they should honor their families, be fair in business, and help the poor. Where did Muhammad go to find peace and receive the message from God? • He went into the hills to pray in A. D. 610. • He claimed to visited by an angel who told him to preach Islam. • Islam means “surrendering to the will of Allah. ” • Allah is the Arabic word for God.

Muhammad c. A. D. 570– 632

Muhammad’s Message • Muhammad returned to Makkah and told people to destroy statues of false gods and to worship only Allah. • He preached that all people are equal and the rich should share their goods. • Muhammad said that wealth was not as important as leading a good life.

Opposition to Islam • Slowly Muhammad convinced people that his message was true. • At first, only his family became Muslims, or followers of Islam. • Soon, however, many of the poor were attracted to his message that goods should be shared.

Opposition to Islam • Wealthy merchants and religious leaders did not like Muhammad’s message. They thought he was trying to take away their power. • They made his life difficult and beat and tortured his followers.

Madinah • In A. D. 622 Muhammad and his followers left Makkah and traveled north to a town called Yathrib. Later the year 622 became the first year of the new Muslim calendar. • Yathrib welcomed Muhammad and his followers and the city was renamed Madinah which means “the city of the prophet. ”

Muhammad: Islam’s Prophet (cont. ) • Muhammad and his followers left Makkah for Yathrib. • This journey is known as the Hijrah. (pages 374– 375)

Muhammad’s Government • Muhammad created an Islamic state—a government that uses its political power to uphold Islam. • He required all Muslims to place loyalty to the Islamic state above loyalty to their tribe. • To defend his new government, Muhammad built an army and conquered Makkah.

Muhammad’s Soldiers • Muhammad’s soldiers conquered Makkah in A. D. 630. • Muhammad made Makkah the holy city of Islam.

Islam’s Teachings • Islam, Judaism, and Christianity have some beliefs in common. • They all believe in one God. Muslims believe this one God holds all power and created the universe. • They also believe that God determines right and wrong. People are expected to obey God’s laws.

The Prophets • Jews, Christians, and Muslims believe that God spoke to them through prophets. • For Muslims, early prophets were Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and finally Muhammad. • For Christians, Jesus was more than a prophet. He was the son of God and there fore divine.

Islam An Abrahamic Religion Z Muslims are strict monotheists. Z They believe in the Judeo. Christian God, which they call Allah. Z Muslims believe that the Torah and the Bible, like the Qur’an, is the word of God. Peoples of the Book

Abraham’s Genealogy HAGAR ABRAHAM Ishmael 12 Arabian Tribes SARAH Isaac Jacob 12 Tribes of Israel Esau

The Prophetic Tradition Believe that God spoke to people through the prophets such as: Adam Noah Abraham Moses Jesus Muhammad

The Quran • Muslims wrote down messages that Muhammad said he received from Allah in what became known as the Quran. • For Muslims, the Quran is God’s word and is the holy book of Islam.

• The Quran instructs Muslims about how they should live. • Muslims are told to be honest and treat others fairly. • They are to honor their parents, show kindness to neighbors, and give generously to the poor. • Murder, lying, and stealing are forbidden.

The Five Pillars • Muslims are expected to fulfill the Five Pillars of Islam.

Rules for Daily Life: • Scholars of Islam also created a law code that explains how society should be run. • This code is taken from the Quran and the Sunna. • The Sunna is the name of customs based on Muhammad’s words and deeds. • It applies to family life, business, and government. • Muslims should not eat pork, drink liquor, or gamble.

The Rise of Islam What moral teachings do the Bible and the Quran share? The Quran and the Bible both demand honesty, fairness, kindness to neighbors, honoring of parents, and giving to the poor. They both also prohibit murder, lying, and stealing.

The Rise of Islam What are oases, and why were they important to Arabs? Oases are green areas in the desert fed by underground water, that supplied water for Arab herders.

The Rise of Islam Name some activities the Quran prohibits. The Quran prohibits murder, lying, gambling, stealing, eating pork, and drinking liquor.

The Rise of Islam Conclude Why do you think Muhammad’s teachings were popular with poorer people? Because Muhammad taught that goods should be shared, the poorer people realized the possibility of benefiting through charity.

The Rise of Islam Analyze How did Muhammad link religion and government? Muhammad applied god’s laws to all areas of life and used these laws to settle disputes among the people.