HISTORY OF HUMAN CIVILIZATION

Chapter 9:The Spread of IslamHISTORY OF HUMAN CIVILIZATION

CHAPTER 9

THE SPREAD OF ISLAM

The Spread of Islam

How Islam developed around Muhammads teachings.What religious beliefs are held by Muslims.How Islam spread beyond the Arabian Peninsular.What Islamic life was like.What the Arab Empire contributed to science, mathematics, medicine and the arts.

The Arabian Peninsula also known as Arabia, is a peninsula of Western Asia situated north-east of Africa. The Arabian Peninsula is located in the continent of Asia and bounded by (clockwise)the Persian Gulf on the northeast,the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman on the east, the Arabian Sea on the southeast and south,the Gulf of Aden on the south, the Bab-el-Mandeb strait on the southwest, and the Red Sea which is located on the southwest and west.The northern portion of the peninsula merges with the Syrian Desert.The most prominent feature of the peninsula is desert,Harrat ash Shaam is a large volcanic field that extends from the northwestern Arabian Peninsula into Jordan and southern Syria.

Who lived there?

The ArabsThe Bedouins (Badwin). They were herders who roamed in search of grass and water for their camels, goats and sheep.They believed in many gods worshipped stones, trees + pieces of wood.In the 600s, a new religion called Islam began in the mountainous area of western Arabia known as the Hejaz.Within 100 years, the Arab Empire was larger than the Roman Empire.

ISLAM

Islam means the act of submitting/giving oneself over to the will of God.The Islamic faith was founded by an Arab merchant named Mohammed.Mohammed came to be known as the Prophet of Allah. The word Allah means the God.Islam shook the foundations of Byzantium and Persia, the 2 most powerful civilizations at the time. Arabic became the common language of more than 90 million people.

MakkahBy mid 500s, 3 major towns developed in the Hejaz. They were:Yathrib Taif Makkah (largest & richest)

Makkah : supported by trade and religion. Traders stopped there for food and water on their way north to Constantinople. (Turkey)Arab pilgrims or travelers came there to worship Arabias holiest shrine - The Kabah. (centre of Makkah)

Ancient Makkah

Makkah

The development of Makkah

The Kaabah

Low cube-shaped building surrounded by 360 idols.A black stone believed to have fallen from paradise was set in one of its walls (Hajarul Aswad).Nearby was a holy well (Zam Zam). According to beliefs, the original Kabah stood in heaven. When Adam left the Garden of Eden, he built a structure on earth exactly like the one in heaven.

KABBAH

KAABAH

Hajarul Aswad

Well of Zam Zam

MohammedIn 571, Mohammed was born to a poor widow in Mecca. When he was 6, his mom died. He lived with his uncle. He was a camel driver in his teens. At 25, he married a rich 40 year old widow named Khadijah. Mohammed was successful in the caravan business.However, he was troubled and disturbed by the drinking, gambling and corruption in Mecca.He began spending time alone in a cave outside the city. There, he thought and fasted.

He decided that the people of Mecca had been led to evil by their beliefs in false Gods. He concluded that there was only one God Allah. This is the same God for the Jews and Christians.In 610, Mohammed had a revelation or a vision.When he was asleep in the cave, an angel appeared and ordered him to read some writing (Iqra).Frightened, he fled to the top of a mountain. There, he heard the voice of angel Gabriel telling him to preach about God.

Hearing this, Khadijah asked a holy man about it. The man said that the same angel had visited Moses and that Mohammed was to be the prophet of his people.In 613, he began preaching. He told them thatThe only God was the all powerful Allah. All believers are equal in Gods eyes.Nothing happened except by Allahs will.The rich should share with the poorMohammed saw life as a preparation for the Day of Judgement:The day on which people would rise from the dead to be judged.

At first, the rich leaders laughed at Mohammed. Later, they began to feel threatened by Mohammeds persistent preaching. They were worried that people would stop coming to worship the Kabah. When pilgrims visit Makkah and spent money there. The leaders thought that if fewer pilgrims came to MakkahThe economy would be ruined. Because of this, they started persecuting (ill treat) Mohammed and his followers.

In 620, Mohammed preached to a group of people from Yathrib (Madinah). They invited him to go to Yathrib and become their leader. In 622, Mohammed and hundreds of his followers fled to Yathrib. The year 622 called Anno Hegira (Hijrah) The Year of the Flight - became the first year of the Muslim calendar.The city of Yathrib was renamed - Madinat al-Nabi The city of the prophet, or Medina.

In Medina, Mohammed proved himself an able leader.He gave people a government. This united them and made them proud of their city.In 630, he led 10,000 followers to Mecca and captured the city. They destroyed the idols around Kaabah and dedicated the black stone to Allah.Mecca became the center of Islam. In 631 - delegates from all over Arabia came to declare their faith in Allah and offer their allegiance to Mohammed.In just over 20 years, Mohammed had created a strong Arab state.

The AL - QURANMuslim scriptures the heart of IslamMuslims believe it is the direct word of Allah swt as revealed to Mohammed The Quran is written in Arabic.It tells how good Muslims should live.They should not eat pork, drink liquor or gamble.The Quran also gives advice on marriage, divorce, inheritance and business.

The Quran described the pillars of faith/the 5 duties (Rukun Islam) all Muslims must fulfill.

The confession of faith all Muslims must recite the Islamic creed that states, There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet.5 prayers a day facing Makkah each time.The giving of alms/charity - this is to help the poor.Fasting all Muslims must fast in the month of Ramadan Pilgrimage - hajj

The Quran promises that all who fulfill their duties will go to Paradise.

THE ARAB EMPIREWhen Mohammed died in 632, his followers needed a new leader. A group of Muslims chose a new leader whom they called khalifa/caliph (def : successor)The 1st Khalifa was Abu Bakar, Mohammeds father-in-law and close friend. Bakar and the next 3 caliphs were elected for life. They are known as the Rightly Guided Caliphs. They honored Mohammeds wish to carry Islam to other ppl. They did this by fighting jihad against infidels (non-believers).The caliphs sent warriors into Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Persia, Egypt and North Africa. They were victorious.They spread Islam.

How did they win?

The Arabs were successful for many reasons. Islam held them together.It taught Muslims who died in fighting fields went to paradise.Skillful in handling horses and camelsMentally and physically tough leaders.Those who surrendered without a fight will have to pay taxes and in return will be protected + allowed to keep their lands.Those who fought and lost will lose their lands and farm for the Arabs + had to pay taxes.

The UmayyadsAli, Mohammeds son-in-law and the last Rightly Guided Caliph was killed in 661. Muawiyah, the new caliph moved the capital from Medina to Damascus.Muawiyah founded the Umayyad Dynasty. From that time on, the title of caliph was hereditary.

The Umayyads ruled like Kings instead of religious leaders.They reorganized the govt. and made Arabic the official language.The first Arabic moneySet up horseback postal routesRepaired and maintained irrigation canals.Built beautiful mosques and encouraged the arts

Genealogic tree of the Umayyad family

The downfall of the Umayyads was their social and economic troubles. The conquered ppl who became Muslim complained of unfair treatment they received less money for serving the army +had to pay higher taxes.The Muslims were divided:Shia /Syiah - believers who felt that the caliphs should be descendants of Ali. Sunni - the larger group that followed the Rightly Guided Caliphs and the Caliphs after them.

Later, a war broke between the Umayyads and the Shiawho called themselves the Abbasids.In 750, the Abbasids defeated the Umayyads.The Abbasids became the new rulers of the Arab Empire.

The AbbasidsThey rule the Arab Empire from 750 to 1258. Their first 100 years in power was known as : the Golden Age of Islam.Under the Abbasids, all that remained of Arab influence were the Arabic language and the Islamic religion.

The Abbasids built a new capital called Baghdad on the east bank of the Tigris river.The city was designed by a Jewish astronomer and a Persian engineer.Baghdad was built in the shape of a circle. Around it was 3 huge sloping walls and a wide ditch filled with water.The highways divided Baghdad into 4 pie shaped sections.

The Abbasid caliphs thought of themselves as Gods deputies. Because of that, they took the title : Shadow of God on Earth.The Abbasids created the government post of vizier (wazir) or chief advisor. The Vizier stood between the throne and the people. He took charge of running the empire.The Abbasids did not try to conquer new land. They concentrated on trade.Result: Baghdad became one of the major trading centers of the world. Many writers and thinkers flocked to Baghdad.The Syria Christians and Jews translated Greek writings to Arab : interest in Greek science and philosophy started again.

Trade made many Arabs rich. They desired luxury goods that Arab artisans began producing themselves. As trade grew, more records had to be kept. Trading led to the opening of banks.Ppl had time to play games like polo and chess.Men stopped wearing robes and started wearing pants (contribution from other civilization result of trade).Meals were now served on tables instead of on the floor.The Empire soon became too big for one caliph. He broke the empire and stayed in Samarra. When he returned to Baghdad in 892, it was too late because - The Persians took control of Baghdad in 945.

The Golden Age of Muslim SpainThe Arabs who conquered North Africa intermarried with the Berbers and became known as the Moors.In 710, they invaded Spain.The Moors set up a kingdom that allowed religious freedom.For the next 400 years, rich culture flourished in SpainMany beautiful buildings : The Alhambra in GranadaSchools were founded in which Muslims, Christians and Jews studied medicine and philosophy together.Jews traveled to the east and brought with them silks and spices.

The Moors leaving the Spain

The Golden Age of Muslim SpainIn 1145, Spain was invaded by a Berber group from Morocco.This group did away with religious freedom.Because of this, all the Christians and Jews fled to the north. The Golden Age of Muslim Spain was over.

Arab ContributionsBetween 770s and the 1300s, Arab scholars helped preserve much of the learning of the ancient world.

Many Arab scientists tried to turn base metals such as tin, iron and lead into gold and silver. They used both magic and chemistry in their works. They were called alchemists. Their work led to the practice of making experiments and keeping records of the results. Because of this - The Arabs became known as the founders of modern chemistry.

Arab astronomers studied the heavens. They gave many stars the names they still carry today. They proved that the moon affects the tides. The astronomers worked with the Arab geographers to tell the size of earth and the distance around it. From their studies, they decided that the earth may be round.Al Idrisi drew the first correct map of the world

ASTRONOMY

They correctly described the eclipses of the sun.

Arab mathematicians invented algebra and taught it to Europeans.Borrowed the numerals 0-9 from Gupta math (India) and passed them on to Europeans.MATHEMATICS

MEDICINEIn Medicine, they set the worlds 1st school of pharmacy. Opened the worlds first drugstore. Organized medical clinic that traveled all through the empire.Arab docs had to pass a test before they could practice medicine.Arab doctors were the first to discover that blood circulates moves to and from the heart.They were the first to discover diseases. Al Razi discovered the differences between measles and chicken pox. Ibn Sina was the first to understand that tuberculosis is contagious (could be passed from one person to another). Ibn Sinas Canon of Medicine was used in European medical school for 500 years.

In Arts, one of the best known writings is Arabian Nights: a collection of tales put together from Persian stories. Omar Khayyams Rubaiyat has been translated into many languages. Considered one of the finest poems ever created.Islamic art is distinct and colorful. It is used on swords books, rugs, and buildings (Petronas Twin Towers). Because Islamic artists believe that it is a sin to make pictures of Gods creation, their art is made up of geometric designs entwined with flowers, leaves and stars. Their works of art are different from the others around the world.

. ARTS & CULTURE

Much of what is known about this time comes from Arabs who wrote down the history of Islam. Ibn Khaldoun wrote about the Arabs, the Berbers and the Persians. His writings were the first to take into account the influence of geography and climate on people.HISTORY

1. The Spread of Islam2. The Islam3. Mecca4. The Kabah5. Mohammed5. The Koran6. The Arab Empire7. The Umayyads8. The Abbasids9. The Golden Age of Muslim Spain10. The Arab ContributionsCONSOLIDATION

Questions?