The Origins and Spread of Islam Chapter 7

To Get Us Thinking:• In Class Assignments notebook answer these questions:

1. What is Islam? What does the faith value?2. What do Muslims believe? Whom do they worship and how?3. Have Muslims had any positive contributions to the world?

There are many conceptions of Islam and Muslims. My goal is not to preach Islam or to espouse my views on Islam, but to simply teach their beliefs and impact on the world.

The Arabian Peninsula and Surrounding Lands

Important Islamic Places

Introduction to Islam• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpcbfxtdoI8

Muhammad• Born around 570 CE in Makkah (Mecca)• Leader and founder of Islam

• The Story:• Centuries before Muhammad, God tested Abraham’s faith by

ordering him to leave Hagar (his wife) and his infant son Ishmael in a desolate valley.

• As they searched for water, a spring bubbled at the son’s feet• Abraham then built a house of worship called the Ka’bah

Mecca • Prosperous city at the crossroads of great trade routes

Mecca• Many came to worship at the Ka’bah but were not

monotheistic (believers/worshippers of one God)

Origin of Islam: An Overview• Muhammad was living in Meccah (again, a city with a lot of

religions worshipping a lot of gods)

• The angel Gabriel came to him in a vision and told him to start speaking the word of God (one, all supreme God)

• The tribal ties of Muhammad began to grow and grow. He eventually would lead many followers and take Mecca as a religious capital

• Islam would grow to control much of the Arabian peninsula much like an empire

Context of Islam• From previous classes, what do you remember about the area

Islam would grow to control?

Mecca (Makkah)• The prosperous hometown of Muhammad• Gained wealth as a center of trade

• Overtime, families grew to control the city • These ruling families would not share fortune with weaker, poorer

clans who lived there

Mecca • Also a religious center• Most people at this time were polytheist- belief in more than one

God • The Ka’bah- a cube-shaped shrine built by Abraham to honor

God • Because Mecca was a religious center, the Ka’bah housed

hundreds of statutes to different gods

Arab Life• No central government in Arabia • again, after fall of the Roman Empire and before the “Islamic

Empire”• Arabs pledged loyalty to their clans and to larger tribes• Which is why the colonial movement of the 19th and 20th

centuries really messed things up• Clans and tribes would battle over resources• Territory• Animals• Goods • Water• Wives

Arab Life• Although not united under a government, many tribes shared

common cultural ties

• It is helpful to understand this context to better understand the life of Muhammad

Muhammad’s Early Life• 570- Muhammad born in Mecca• His clan- the Hashim • Not very wealthy, but belonged to a leading tribe in Mecca

• Sent to live with nomads in the desert• Learned Arab values (being kind to strangers, helping orphans

and others that are needy)

• Dad died before he was born, mom died when he returned to Mecca at age 6, grandpa (who was the leader of the clan) died

Muhammad• Abu Talib would adopted Muhammad and showed him the

merchant ways• Would become merchant himself• People called him al-Amin (the Trustworthy)

• Khadijiah- ran a trading business and used Muhammad to manage her caravans• The two married when Muhammad was 25• She was impressed with his honesty

• Had a daughter named Fatima who would carry on Muhammad’s bloodline