The First Global Civilization &

The Birth of Islam Objective: To understand and

analyze the birth of Islam on the Arabian peninsula and how it

evolved into a world religion and created the 1st global civilization.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX3UHNhQ1Zk

Oasis Towns & Desert Life in pre-Islamic Arabia

The Arabian peninsula is uninhabitable- mostly desert with some oasis towns

Struggle for subsistence on Arabian peninsula

Bedouins, (nomadic herders- adapt to desert conditions) Clans and tribes

Bedouin & clan religion- Animism & polytheism

Mecca- site of trade and town of 2 meeting caravan routes & also center of pilgrimage- site of the Ka’ba

Yathrib- later named Medina “City of the Prophet”

The Prophet Muhammad & The Genesis of Islam

Muhammad born 570 CE orphaned at a young age

Born into Bedouin tribe and is a merchant- takes part in caravans –comes into contact with other faiths

At 20 works for and marries Khadija- widowed merchant

Muhammad is dissatisfied with material life and often Meditates

Muhammad’s Vision: 610 - revelation Has a vision of Gabriel Devotes the rest of his life

to the spread of Islam 622 leaves Mecca for

Medina- Hijra Launches attacks on

Meccan caravans & defeat Muslims – 630 return to Mecca & destroy idols

632 most of peninsula supports new faith including rival Umayyads

The Ka’ba

The Message of Islam Based on strict

monotheism – Allah (all powerful God)

Dignity and equality of believers before God

Moral code-Responsible for own actions

Payment of zakat (tax for charity)

No recognition of priests

Idol depiction forbidden

The Five Pillars: 1) Declaration of faith:

One God: Allah (shahadah)

2) Prayer: 5X a day (salat) 3) Fasting-during holy

month of Ramadan (siyam)

4) Tax for charity (zakat) 5) Hajj: pilgrimage to

Mecca Some consider jihad, a

6th pillar-varying interpretations

(Grand Mosque, Mecca)

The Quran & Sharia Sacred word of God Final authority Honesty, generosity,

justice Harsh penalties for

stealing or murder In original Arabic

language

• Body of law that applies Quran to everyday life of the umma

• Unites converts to Islam • No separation between

criminal or civil law- Quran all situations

• Islam is a religion and a way of life

Women pray in a mosque in Banda Aceh

Converts & “People of the Book”

• Muslims share similar beliefs with Christians& Jews- some same Prophets, idea of afterlife, the Bible & Torah are revelations from God

• Jews & Christians are “People of the Book”(spiritually superior to idol worshippers)

• Muslims generally tolerant as long as people pay taxes

The Succession Crisis 632 Muhammad dies

632- leadership crisis

Clan selects a caliph (political and religious successor to Muhammad)

Choose Abu Bakr (oversees raids on N. Africa, zones in Iraq, Syria, and Egypt)

Movements within Islam: the Sunni & Shiite (Shia) Split & Further

Factions Sunnis Caliphs be chosen by

members of Muslims community

Pious Muslims- not religious authority

Majority branch

Shiites Only successor to

Muhammad is descendants of Muhammad (imam)

Ali’s right to caliphate

Minority branch Live in Iraq, Iran,

Lebanon, and Yemen

Muhammad's death creates deep rifts within Muslim community 3rd caliph Uthman murdered → his death creates another uproar

Sufis Muslims

mystics Piety & power

Selfless worship of God

Missionary Work

The Conquest & Spread of Islam

• Empire conquered Persia, parts of Byzantine, Jerusalem, North Africa, & Southern Spain

• Tolerant rulers – “Empire Arab rather than Islamic” • Extent into Spain- Cordoba,Granada• The Umayyad Caliphate- Damascus, warrior

elite, extend Dar-al Islam• The Abbasid Caliphate- Golden Age,

Baghdad, huge bureaucracy, revive Silk Road

Cordoba, Spain

The Alhambra

The Mediterranean Basin 6th Century

Islamic Culture: “Within the confines of the Islamic domains

were located the center of Hellenistic, Persian, Indian, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian civilizations as well as Christian and Jewish

traditions of thought and learning.”

“The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr.” -Muhammad

The Golden Age of Islam Under Harun- al

Rashid (786-809) Art- arabesque,

calligraphy, geometric patters (no idols)

Literature: Poetry & Quran, Sufi Mysticism

Philosophy: Greek philosophers

Science & Math: Hindi numbers- Arabic numerals, algebra

Astronomical tables Medicine: al- Razi

Canon on Medicine

Islamic Culture: • Harun- al Rashid – golden age of

Abbasids • Achievements in art, architecture,

literature, medicine, science, math, astronomy, philosophy

• Art- no depiction of idols- arabesque/ geometric patterns

• Medicine- al- Razi Canon on Medicine • Translation of Greek thought• Attitudes toward trade & women

Islamic Art: Arabesque