How did Islam originate and spread?

Muhammad began the religion of Islam in the 7th century. Look at the map showing the modern-day distribution of the followers of Islam, called Muslims. Then answer the following questions:• What regions of the world have the highest concentration of Muslims?

The lowest?

• Based on this map, in what region of the world do you think the Islamic faith may have originated? Why?

Muslim Population, 2006

Europe 4%

Northern Africa 92%

EasternAfrica 33%

WesternAfrica 55%

MiddleAfrica14%

SouthernAfrica

2%

MiddleEast95%

Central Asia 37%

SoutheastAsia40%

East Asia 3%

SouthAsia30%

Oceania 2%

NorthAmerica

2%

Latin America

0.5%0–5%

6–20%

21–40%

41–60%

61–100%

MW_ISN_07_RN-1.eps World: Muslim PopulationSecond ProofTCI20 35

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The Origins and Spread of Islam

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R E A D I N G N O T E S

© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute2 The Origins and Spread of Islam

Social Studies VocabularyAs you complete the Reading Notes, use these terms in your answers.

Islam polytheism monotheism boycottMuhammad prophet Muslim siege

1. Describe Mecca around the time of Muhammad’s birth. Use the following terms and underline them in your description: desert, prosperous, trading city, merchants, religious center.

2. Why was the Ka’bah built, and how was it used at the time of Muhammad’s birth?

3. Explain the ties that most Arabs shared during this time. Use the following terms and underline them in your explanation: government, culture, language.

Section 1

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If your class is doing the activity for this lesson, complete all the Reading Notes for each section. (Note: If your class is not doing the activity, skip the first question of each section.)

Section 21. Walk around the room to find the four words or terms that best match the

part of the story you just heard. Write the English translations of the Arabic words here.

2. Write a four- to five-sentence summary of Muhammad’s early life.

Sections 2 to 5

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© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute4 The Origins and Spread of Islam

Section 31. Walk around the room to find the four

words or terms that best match the part of the story you just heard. Write the English translations of the Arabic words here.

2. Where was Muhammad, and what was he doing, when the angel Gabriel told him, “You are the messenger of God”?

3. What does Muslim mean?

4. What is the holy book of Islam called? What does it contain?

Section 41. Walk around the room to find the four

words or terms that best match the part of the story you just heard. Write the English translations of the Arabic words here.

2. What did Muhammad teach when he preached to the Meccans?

3. Why did Mecca’s leaders try to prevent the spread of Muhammad’s message?

4. Why is Jerusalem a holy city for Muslims?

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600 C.E. 650 C.E.

619 C.E. Muhammad’s uncle Abu Talib dies and Muslims come under more attacks in Mecca.

Section 51. Walk around the room to find the four words or terms that best match the part

of the story you just heard. Write the English translations of the Arabic words here.

2. On the timeline below, place each of the following events. Make sure you include the date for each event. One example is done for you.• Muhammad and his followers leave on the hijrah.• Muhammad develops a new Muslim community in Medina.• Fighting breaks out between the Muslims and Meccans.• Meccans make a truce with the Muslims.• Muhammad’s army captures Mecca; he rededicates the Ka’bah to Allah.• Muhammad delivers his Last Sermon.

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P R O C E S S I N G

Suppose that you are an Arab merchant living in the late 7th century. You have just traveled to Mecca and Medina for business, and have met Muhammad and his followers. On a separate sheet of paper, write a short letter to a family member or a friend telling about your experience. In your letter, be sure to explain who Muhammad is and what he is teaching.

Read Sections 6 and 7 and follow the directions below the map.

60°E

20°N

40°E

20°E0°20°W

40°N

Mecca(Makkah)

CordobaRome

Athens

Constantinople

AntiochHerat

Samarkand

Baghdad

AlexandriaCairo

Tripoli

Medina

SPAIN

PERSIA

FRANCE

EGYPT

SYRIA

E U R O P E

A F R I C A

ATLANTICOCEAN

Mediter ranean Sea

ARABIANPENINSULA

Caspian Sea

B lack Sea

Persian Gulf

Arabian Sea

Red Sea

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Islamic lands at Muhammad’s death, 632

Territory added, 633–661

Territory added, 662–750

MW_ISN_07_RN-2.eps Expansion of Islam, 632-750Third ProofTCI20 16

1. Complete the map by adding labels for Tours, Jerusalem, and Damascus. Then color in the key and the corresponding regions. Use three colors.

2. Write a summary of the early spread of Islam. Include these events: Muhammad’s death, the caliphs unify Arabia, Ali’s election to the caliphate, the Muslim entry into Spain, and the Battle of Tours.

Sections 6 to 7

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