STATION #1 QUESTIONS

1. What are the five pillars of Islam?

2. What is the holy book of Muslims?a. What language is it written in?b. How would only using that language be a benefit to the

Muslim community?3. What are the “people of the book”?

a. How are they related to Islam?

FAITH

PRAYER

CHARITY

PILGRIMAGE

FASTING

Pilgrimage: religious journeyFasting: not eating

QU’RAN (KORAN)

Holy book of Muslims

Written in Arabic. Muslims consider only the Arabic version to be the true word of Allah…so only Arabic can be used during worship.

PEOPLE OF THE BOOK

Muslims believe that Allah is the same God that is worshiped in Christianity and Judaism. However, Muslims view Jesus as a prophet [teacher], not as the Son of God.

The Qur’an is supposed to improve the earlier beliefs of Jews and Christians. It is the final book and Muhammad is the final prophet.

All three religions believe in heaven, hell, and a day of judgment.

Muslims refer to Christians and Jews as “people of the book” because each religion has a holy book with teachings similar to those of the Qur’an.

STATION 2 QUESTIONS

1. What is a caliph? What is a caliphate?2. What conditions in other empires made it easier for Islam to

spread?3. How did Muslim rulers treat conquered peoples?4. What are the two main groups within Islam?

a. What caused the division?b. Which group is larger?

CALIPHS & CALIPHATES

Muhammad died in 632 C.E. A loyal friend of his was elected as the first caliph (leader) of the Muslim community. The next three caliphs were all elected and all personally knew Muhammad. The area ruled by a caliph was known as a caliphate.

This wording is similar to a king being the person ruling an area called a kingdom.

CONQUERING LANDSMuslims were able to conquer other areas for multiple reasons:

1. Their armies were well-disciplined and were well-commanded.2. Nearby empires were weakened from years of fighting.3. Nearby empires persecuted people who did not support the official

state religion.

Muslims allowed conquered people to follow their own religion. The Qur’an forbids forced conversion of the People of the Book. Jews and Christians received special treatment – they were able to pay a tax instead of having to serve in the military. However, they were not allowed to spread their religion.

GROUPS WITHIN ISLAMIn 661 C.E., the caliph was assassinated. A family known as the Umayyads took power. Many Muslims accepted the Umayyads as the ruling family. This group of Muslims later became known as Sunni (meaning “followers of Muhammad’s example”).

Some Muslims believed that the caliph should be a descendant of Muhammad. This party became known as the Shi’a and they resisted Umayyad rule.

SUNNI SHI’A Believe that Muslim rulers

should follow Muhamad’s example.

Recognized the authority of the Umayyads.

Believe that all Muslim rulers should be descended from Muhammad.

Did not recognize the authority of the Umayyads.

Claim that the Shia have distorted the meaning of the Qur’an.

Claim that the Sunni have distorted the meaning of the Qur’an.

STATION 3 QUESTIONS

1. Dome of the Rocka. What is it? Why is it important?b. What other religious group believes the site is holy…

and why?2. How do Muslim cities compare with European cities of the

same time period?3. What is the major determining factor for Muslim social

classes during the years 600-800 C.E.?4. Describe the role of women in early Muslim society.5. Why was astronomy important for Muslims?6. What is the House of Wisdom and why was it important?7. What is special about Muslim art?

DOME OF THE ROCK

The Dome of the Rock, located in Jerusalem, is the earliest surviving Islamic monument. It was completed in 691 and is part of a larger complex [area], which is the third most holy place in Islam. It is situated [located] on Mount Moriah, the site of the Jewish Temple destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E., Judaism’s holiest place.The rock is the spot from which Muslims say Muhammad ascended [rose] to heaven to learn of Allah’s will. With Allah’s blessing, Muslims believe Muhammad returned to earth to bring God’s message to all people.

MUSLIM SOCIETY

MUSLIM SOCIAL CLASSESUpper Class Muslim at birthSecond Class Converts to IslamThird Class People of the BookLowest Class Non-Muslims, Slaves

QUOTES FROM THE QURAN REGARDING GENDER“Men are the managers of the affairs of women.”“Righteous women are…obedient.”

ACADEMICSMuslim interest in astronomy developed because of religious needs – a correct lunar [moon] calendar was needed to mark religious periods such as the month of Ramadan. Extensive knowledge of the stars also helped guide Muslim traders to the many trading cities of the ancient world.

In the early 800s, Caliph al-Ma’mun opened the House of Wisdom, which was a combination of library, school, and translation center. Scholars of different cultures and beliefs worked together to translate texts from Greece, India, Persia, and Europe into Arabic. This helped preserve knowledge during Europe’s Middle Ages.

ARTMuslim art is intricate and colorful but often does not contain images of living beings. Muslim leaders worried that people might worship the images instead of Allah. Muslim artists found different ways to express their creativity.

Calligraphy – artistic writing. The images below are made up of Arabic words.

Geometric patterns: