Chapter 3Section 1: The Origins of Islam

Write down your homework. Have homework out to be checked.Answer the following question in a paragraph with concrete evidence:

Where and how did Islam first arise?

By PresenterMedia.com

•Background Knowledge

During the same time Christianity was growing in the Byzantine empire, Islam was emerging to the south.

Islam is a religion based on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad.

Islam is based on the worship of one God.

•The Arabian SettingArabia is a large peninsula located in southwest Asia, between

Mesopotamia and Africa.

A Difficult Land: * nearly surrounded by water* sailors crossed the seas to trade* harsh environment (helped Arabians avoid foreign conquest* mostly desert* Nafud Desert in the north* Rub Al-Khali Desert in the south* range of high, rugged mountains runs along the western and

southern edges of the Arabian peninsula - more rainfall; better for settlement

* In general: little water and no permanent rivers* relied on oases for survival

•The Arabian SettingArabia is a large peninsula located in southwest Asia, between

Mesopotamia and Africa.

•A Tribal Culture• Distinct ways of life

• Nomadic life• Move from place to place• Known as Bedouins• Lived in rural areas• Herded sheep and goats• Crossed desert on camels, stopping at oases for water, food, and supplies• Independent• Skilled at warfare – raid other tribes for animals and goods

• Sedentary life• Settles in oasis towns or trade centers• Mainly farmers and traders• Farmers tended fields around the oases; traders lived along trade routes• Trade brought wealth and new settlers• Mecca was the largest town• Muhammad was born in 570 in Mecca

• Both types organized into tribes• Loyalty to tribe and family

•The Story of MuhammadMecca was a trading city and a religious center. People

worshiped at Kaaba shrine. Thousands would travel to a religious fair yearly. Muhammad grew up in this environment.•Muhammad’s Early Life

• Orphaned and raised by uncle• Married at 25; respected member of community• He saw greed, corruption, and violence; Arab traditions of honor and

duty being ignored.• Seeking peace, prayed and reflected in a cave• In 610, Muhammad had a vision and began receiving revelations

(according to Islamic beliefs)

•The Story of Muhammad•The Rise of Islam

• Muhammad began to preach in streets of Mecca• Told Arabs to worship Allah and give up their sinful ways• Said Allah is the same God who visited Abraham, Jesus, and

other Judaic and Christian prophets.• Believers are called Muslims; the religion is Islam• Muhammad and his followers were persecuted

•The Story of Muhammad•The Hijra

• In 622, fled to Yathrib (275 miles north of Mecca)• Later renamed, Medina (“city of the prophet”)• This flight to Medina is called the hijra• Muhammad continued teaching, became the political and

military leader, and lead raids on Mecca and its caravan trade.• In 630, Muhammad retuned to Mecca as conqueror.

• Banned worship of old gods• Proclaimed Islam the religion of Arabia• Conversions lead to most Arabs being united under Muslim rule.• Muhammad died in 632; Arabs launched conquests across the Middle

East to spread Islam.