Islam and Muslim Civilizations

Later World Civilizations

The Beginnings of Islam

• Most major world religions began with the teachings of one person – Judaism – Abraham– Christianity – Jesus– Islam - Muhammad

The Life of Prophet Muhammad

• Muhammad was worried about the Arabian people– People were more concerned with making

money than caring for one another– Worshipped many gods

• Muhammad claimed an angel appeared to him and insisted he recite words that were written on a scroll – Part of the Quran

The Life of Prophet Muhammad

• In Muhammad’s time only a few people believed his words– Those that believed him became known as

Muslim (followers of Islam)– People were giving their first loyalty to the

ideals of Islam rather than to blood ties

• Muhammad did not realize he was founding a new religion– Islam and Christianity is very similar

Muhammad’s Ideals

• Concerned about helping others– In the Quran men and women are equally

responsible before Allah– Women could divorce and inherit property

• Concerned about peace– Tried to end warfare by going on a hajj or

pilgrimage to Makkah – People were impressed with the push for

peace so they converted to Islam

The Spread of Islam

• Caliphs – were not prophets but guided the community in Muslim beliefs– Shiite

• Believed that only Muhammad’s descendants should rule

– Sunni• Follow the way of Muhammad • Make up the majority of Muslims around the world

EMPIRES AND LEGACIESIslam and Muslim Civilizations

Dynasties and Crusades

• Christians nations of Europe began a series of crusades against the Turks– Basically they wanted to regain control of holy

sites that the Muslims had “taken”

• Saladin– Invaded Jerusalem but allowed Christian

worship to continue

• Cairo became the center of Islam

Islamic Science and Art

• Astronomy and Astrology

• Medicinal knowledge came from Persian Christians and Jewish Physicians– First to learn that blood flowed to and from the

heart

• “House of Wisdom”– Muslim and Christian Scholars translated

scientific and literary works from Greek into Arabic

Islamic Science and Art

• Mathematics – Algebra

• Astrolabe – helped sailors figure out their position at sea– Discovered the earth was round

• Calligraphy – since Islam forbids images in worship, calligraphy is used to decorate

• Writing– The Arabian Nights