The Rise of Islam: Section 1

The Rise of Islam: Section 1

The Arabs

Arose in the Arabian Peninsula and influenced Western Asia and beyond.

They were a nomadic, Semitic-speaking people who lived in the arid climate of the Arabian Peninsula.

The environment was harsh, they were organized into tribes and were led by a sheikh who was chosen from a council of elders. The tribes were independent, but worked together

Early Religion

-Most Early Arabs were polytheistic,

many recognized a chief, or supreme

god who they called Allah which is

Arabic for “God.”

-Allah was symbolized by a sacred stone, each tribe had their own stone, but there was one central stone called the Black stone which was placed in the shrine called the Kaaba.

-This shrine was located in the city of Makkah (Mecca) in what is now Saudi Arabia.

Trade

The Arabian Peninsula became an important center for trade.  The city of Mecca became rich from the caravan trade traffic which passed through the area.

The domestication of the camel enabled traffic to cross the deserts and as empires grew up in the region trade increased greatly.

As the merchants became rich from the Caravan traffic the life of the poor people of the area suffered.

The Life of Muhammad

Muhammad was born in Makkah in present-day Saudi Arabia to a merchant family.  His parents died when he was young and he ended up living with his uncle who was a merchant and he became a caravan manager.

Muhammad married an older widow named Khadija.

Over time, he found the richness and corruption of the merchants and townspeople to be troubling.

He decided to visit the hills to meditate.  Muslims believe that while he was meditating in the hills he received revelations from God through the Angel Gabriel

Muhammad’s Revelation

Muslims believe the Angel Gabriel told Muhammad to recite what he heard, it was believed that Allah had already revealed himself through Moses and Jesus, but now had a final revelation for man.

This final revelation became the religion of Islam. Which means submission to the will of God.

The Quran (Koran)

The revelations to Muhammad were written down by scribes and became known as The Quran, which is the holy book of Islam.

The Quran contains ethical guidelines and laws by which Muslims (followers of Islam) should live their lives.

The Quran is written in Arabic, which was the language of Muhammad.

The Quran is considered to only be true when it is written in its original language. Translations are thought to lose the true meaning of the original words which are believed to be a direct revelation from God.

The Muslim observance of Ramadan is to commemorate the recording of the holy text

After the Revelation

After Muhammad received his revelation he went to his wife Khadija, she was his first convert to the new religion.

He began to try to convert the people of Makkah to his message, but he was unsuccessful.  After three years he was forced to go to the city of Yathrib, which later became Medina. This flight, or migration, is known as the Hijrah and marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. This was in the year 622 CE.

In Yathrib, renamed Medina (which means the city of the prophet) Muhammad was accepted and gained followers.

One of the groups which converted to the new religion of Islam were the Bedouins who were desert Arabs.  This new community became the first to practice the religion.

After several years, Muhammad became both a spiritual and political leader, there was not an idea of the separation of church and state.   He raised an army and conquered the city of Makkah.

The Kaaba

After Muhammad took the city of Makkah he cleansed the Kaaba of idols and dedicated it to Allah, who he taught was the one true God.

All Muslims are encouraged to make a pilgrimage to Makkah known as the Hajj at least once in their life if they are physically and financially able.

The Teachings of Muhammad

Islam is Monotheistic, like Judaism and Christianity.

Islam teaches a belief in an afterlife, those who hope to achieve this afterlife must submit to the will of Allah.

Muslims do not believe the Muhammad was divine, they believe that he was a man.

Islam is seen not just as a religion, but as a way of life.

Muslims believe that Islam was God’s final revelation for mankind.  Muslims feel that in order to achieve salvation that they must obey the will of Allah, or God.

In order to do this they must follow the five major principles of Islam known as the Five Pillars of Islam.

The Five Pillars of Islam

•        1-Declaration of Faith

–       Muslims must state that there is not God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet.

–       2. Daily Prayer

–       Muslims must pray five times a day facing the Kaaba in Mecca.

•        Pre Dawn

•        Noon

•        Afternoon

•        Sunset

•        Evening

3. Charity

–       Muslims are supposed to help others and donate part of their income to charity.

4. Fasting-Ramadan

Muslims must fast from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan which celebrates the recording of the Quran.

•        5. Pilgrimage: Hajj

–       The fifth pillar of Islam is the Hajj.

–       Once in a lifetime, if they are physically and financially able , Muslims are to journey to Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia and perform the rituals of the Hajj.

Facts about Islam

•        Quran (Koran)-Holy book of Islam

•        Muslim- A follower of Islam

•        Mosque- A Muslim House of Worship

•        Minarets- The towers located on a Mosque from which the Muezzin calls the faithful to prayer.