Islam and Muslim Civilizations
Later World Civilizations
The Beginnings of Islam
• Most major world religions began with the teachings of one person – Judaism – Abraham– Christianity – Jesus– Islam - Muhammad
The Life of Prophet Muhammad
• Muhammad was worried about the Arabian people– People were more concerned with making
money than caring for one another– Worshipped many gods
• Muhammad claimed an angel appeared to him and insisted he recite words that were written on a scroll – Part of the Quran
The Life of Prophet Muhammad
• In Muhammad’s time only a few people believed his words– Those that believed him became known as
Muslim (followers of Islam)– People were giving their first loyalty to the
ideals of Islam rather than to blood ties
• Muhammad did not realize he was founding a new religion– Islam and Christianity is very similar
Muhammad’s Ideals
• Concerned about helping others– In the Quran men and women are equally
responsible before Allah– Women could divorce and inherit property
• Concerned about peace– Tried to end warfare by going on a hajj or
pilgrimage to Makkah – People were impressed with the push for
peace so they converted to Islam
The Spread of Islam
• Caliphs – were not prophets but guided the community in Muslim beliefs– Shiite
• Believed that only Muhammad’s descendants should rule
– Sunni• Follow the way of Muhammad • Make up the majority of Muslims around the world
EMPIRES AND LEGACIESIslam and Muslim Civilizations
Dynasties and Crusades
• Christians nations of Europe began a series of crusades against the Turks– Basically they wanted to regain control of holy
sites that the Muslims had “taken”
• Saladin– Invaded Jerusalem but allowed Christian
worship to continue
• Cairo became the center of Islam
Islamic Science and Art
• Astronomy and Astrology
• Medicinal knowledge came from Persian Christians and Jewish Physicians– First to learn that blood flowed to and from the
heart
• “House of Wisdom”– Muslim and Christian Scholars translated
scientific and literary works from Greek into Arabic
Islamic Science and Art
• Mathematics – Algebra
• Astrolabe – helped sailors figure out their position at sea– Discovered the earth was round
• Calligraphy – since Islam forbids images in worship, calligraphy is used to decorate
• Writing– The Arabian Nights
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