Chapter 6 The First Global Civilization: The Rise and Spread of Islam 7 th century CE Arab followers...
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Transcript of Chapter 6 The First Global Civilization: The Rise and Spread of Islam 7 th century CE Arab followers...
Chapter 6The First Global Civilization: The Rise and Spread of
Islam
7th century CE Arab followers of Muhammad surge from the Arabian Peninsula
They quickly became an empire incorporating elements of classical civilizations of Greece, Egypt and Persia
Islamic merchants, mystics and warriors continued it expansion into Europe, Asia and Africa
Although united in the belief of Muhammad’s message, the Islamic world was divided culturally and politically
The disputes did not undermine the strength of the Muslim civilization until the 14th century
Clan Identity, Clan Rivalries and the Cycle of Vengeance
Mobile kin-related clans were the basic social organization
Only united into larger tribal units in times of crisis Survival depended on clan loyalty Leaders or shaykhs were elected by council Free warriors enforced their decisionsSlave families served the leaders or the clan as a
whole Clan cohesion was reinforced by interclan rivalry and
conflict over water and pasturage The strife weakened Bedouin society against it rivals
Desert and Town: The pre-Islamic Arabian World
Arabian Peninsula inhabited by Bedouin societies
Some desert dwellers herded camels and goats
Others practiced agriculture in oasis towns Important agricultural and commercial
centers flourished in southern coastal regions The towns were extensions of Bedouin
society, sharing its culture and ruled by its clans
Town and long-distance trade
Cities linked the Mediterranean to east Asia Mecca was the most important city (western
Arabia) founded by the UmayyadMecca was the site of the Ka’ba (religious
shrine) Medina was a second important town that
was a agricultural oasis and commercial center
Marriage and the family in pre-Islamic Arabia
Women had key economic roles in clan life Descent was traced through female line Men paid a bride-price to the wife’s family Women did not wear veils and were not
secluded Both sexes had multiple marriage partners Still, men, who carried the honored warrior
tradition, remained superior Traditional practices of property control,
inheritance and divorce favored men
Poets and neglected Gods
Arab material culture was not highly developed
Main focus of creativity was in orally transmitted poetry
Bedouin religion was a blend of animism and polytheism
Some tribes recognized Allah but paid him little attention
Instead of Allah they paid attention to spirits associated with nature
The life of Muhammad and the Genesis of Islam
Member of the Banu Hasim clan of the Quraysh, born in 570 CE
He lived in Mecca and married a wealthy widow Khadijah
Not happy with life focused on material gain In 610 CE he meditates and receives
revelations from God through the angel Gabriel
These revelations were later written down in the Qur’an which form the basis of Islam
Persecution , Flight and Victory
As Islam grows it is seen as a threat by Mecca's rulers
The new faith endangered the gods of the Ka’baWith his life in danger Muhammad is invited to come
to Medina to mediate its clans quarrels 622c CE Muhammad goes to Medina his skilled
leadership brought new followers The Quraysh attack Medina but Muhammad’s force
win A treaty in 628 allowed Muslims to visit the Ka’baMuhammad returned to Mecca in 629 and converts
most of its inhabitants
Arab and Islam
Islam offered opportunities for uniting Arabs Islam provided a distinct indigineous
monotheismIslam supplanted clan divisions and ended
feuding The Umma (the community of the fatihful,
transcened old tribal boundries)Islam offered offered an ethical system
capable of healing social rifts within arab society
All believers