ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION

Abraham’s GenealogyAbraham’s GenealogyAbraham’s GenealogyAbraham’s Genealogy

ABRAHAMABRAHAM SARAHSARAHHAGARHAGARHAGARHAGAR

IsaacIsaac

EsauEsauJacobJacob

12 Tribes of Israel

12 Tribes of Israel

IshmaIshmaelel

IshmaIshmaelel

12 Arabian 12 Arabian TribesTribes

12 Arabian 12 Arabian TribesTribes

Arab Life

Descendants of Semitic tribes Bedouins: Arabic nomads

Shiekh – leader of each tribe Raided neighboring tribes to gain livestock, land,

etc. Believed in retaliation: “ eye for an eye…”

Makkah (Mecca): most important Arabic town Religious and economic center

Times of Change Adoption of monotheism (Judaism/Christianity) Islam: “submission to the will of Allah (God)”

Muhammad

Was troubled by the corruptness of leaders Fasted in order to seek answers

His Revelation Fled Makkah (hijrah); went to Yathrib (622) Decreed that all Muslims be loyal to the

Muslim community Quran: the divine law given by the angel

Gabriel to Muhammad Two achievements of Muhammad

Religious community based on holy writings Set the example of life for Muslims to follow

THE PROPHETIC TRADITIONTHE PROPHETIC TRADITION

AdamAdam

NoahNoah

AbrahamAbraham

MosesMoses

JesusJesus

MuhammadMuhammad

Beliefs and Practices The Quran: God’s message to Muhammad

Written 20 years after Muhammad’s death Values

Honor parents, show kindness, protect orphans and widows, and give generously

The Five Pillars of Islam Faith: “There is no God but Allah,

and Muhammad is his prophet.”

Prayer: 5 times a day Alms: giving to charity Fasting: during the month of Ramadan Pilgrimage: to Makkah; once during life

The Qur’an

Muslims believe it contains the word of God.

114 suras (chapters).

In the name of Allah, the compassionate, the merciful.

Written in Arabic.

Spread of Islam Caliphs: successors after Muhammad died

Sought to protect and spread Islam Early Conquests:

Converted the Persians, reduced the Byzantines 650 – included Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Persia, Egypt

Divisions within Islam Husayn and Ali were assassinated Sunnis: majority of pop. – anyone could be caliph Shiites: minority of pop. – only Muhammad’s

descendants could be caliph

Other Islamic Religious Practices

No alcohol or pork.

No gambling.

Sharia body of Islamic law to regulate daily living.

Three holiest cities in Islam:

Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem.

Family Life

Role of Women: Forbade the custom of killing female infants Limited polygamy (maximum of four wives) Had control of personal property Made contributions to the arts

Role of Men: Obligated to politics and military Visited public forums for various activities Entered school at the age of seven Upper-class boys could pursue a theological

degree

Islamic Achievements

Mathematics: Developed algebra; expanded trigonometry

Astronomy and Geography: Physical and Mathematical models of universe Concluded that the Earth was round

Chemistry and Medicine: Al-Razi: described the origin of disease

Art: Calligraphy writing

Literature: Kalila and Dimna (a collection of animal fables)

Philosophy and History: Religious truths could be analyzed & defended w/ logic