The Origins of Islam

Standard 7.2.1

• Identify the physical features and describe the climate of the Arabian peninsula, its relationship to surrounding bodies of land and water, and nomadic and sedentary ways of life.

Standard 7.2.2

• Trace the origins of Islam and the life and teachings of Muhammad, including Islamic teachings on the connection with Judaism and Christianity.

Background Knowledge

• We previously learned about Christianity in the Byzantine Empire.

• Islam was developing around the same time• Based on the teachings of the prophet

Muhammad. • Like Judaism and Christianity, Islam was based

on the worship of one god. • Geography and culture of Arabia, where Islam

began.

The Arabian Setting

• Arabia is a large peninsula more than 1,000 miles long. It is located in southwest Asia, between Mesopotamia and Africa.

The Arabian Setting

A Difficult Land

• Arabia is nearly surrounded by water. – The Persian Gulf lies to the east, the Arabian

Sea to the south, and the Red Sea to the west.

• Arab sailors crossed those seas to trade with East Africa, India, and China.

A Difficult Land

• For most of its history, Arabians were able to avoid foreign conquest.

• Harsh environments– Nafud Desert

• natural barrier between southwest Asia.

– Rub al-Khali “Empty Quarter,” • covers much of the Arabian

interior to the south.

Nafud Desert

Rub al-Khali

Sarawat Mountains

A Difficult Land

• Rugged mountains along the western and southern edges of the Arabian Peninsula. – rainfall and conditions are better for settlement.

• Arabia has little water and no permanent rivers.

A Difficult Land

• Oasis - a fertile place in the desert where a spring or well provides a water supply.

A Tribal Culture

• Nomadic life - people move from place to place, with no fixed home.

• Sedentary life in oasis towns or trade centers.

• Both organized into tribes.– loyalty was to tribe and

family, not rulers.

A Tribal Culture

• Nomads– Bedoiuns

• Herd sheep or goats• Camels for transportation• Sometimes raid other tribes for

supplies

A Tribal Culture

• Sedentary

• Farmers and traders– Farmed lands around oases– Traded in towns along routes

• Mecca– Commercial center

The Story of Muhammad

• Mecca was a trading city, and a religious center.

• Kaaba– where people worshiped the

local gods.

• Drew thousands of visitors

Muhammad’s Early Life

• Married a wealthy, widowed merchant named Khadija.

• Concern with the greed, corruption, and violence in Meccan society. – traditions of honor and

duty were being ignored.

Muhammad’s Early Life

• Muhammad retreated to a cave to pray and reflect.

• The angel Gabriel appeared before him and told him to spread God’s word.

The Rise of Islam

• Muhammad began to preach in the streets of Mecca. – He told Arabs to worship

the one true God, called Allah in Arabic, and to give up their sinful ways.

– Allah was the same God who had spoken to Abraham, Jesus, and the other prophets of Judaism and Christianity.

The Rise of Islam

• Final prophet with the most complete version of God’s truth.

• The Qur’an names this religion Islam.– Submission (to God)

The Rise of Islam

• Gradually, Muhammad began to win believers. They were called Muslims, or followers of Islam.

• Many Arabs were hostile to Muhammad’s message, however. They began to persecute Muhammad and his followers.

The Hijra

• Mecca

• Yathrib• Medina• 275 miles

In 622, Muhammad and his followers flee

“city of the prophet.”

The Hijra

• Muhammad continued his religious teaching and became Medina’s political and military leader. – He began to lead raiding

parties on Mecca and its caravan trade.

The Hijra

• In 628, After several key victories the Muslims attempt the return to Mecca

• Treaty of Hudaybiyyah– Peace between the

Muslims and the inhabitants of Mecca

The Hijra

• In 630, peace is broken– Muhammad returned to

Mecca banned worship of the old gods and proclaimed Islam to be the religion of Arabia.

• Conversions throughout the Arabian Peninsula– united under Muslim rule

• Muhammad died two years later. – Islam continued to spread

across the Middle East.