According to the introduction by Strayer, what are the reasons Islam has become more noticeable in the United States? Provide evidence that supports the following statement: The significance of a burgeoning Islamic world during the third-wave era was enormous.
1. Most major belief systems of the 2 nd wave era emerged from core of established civilizations 2. In contrast, Islam and Christianity emerged from the outside a. Christianity from Roman-occupied Jews b. Islam from Arabian deserts and towns
What observations and assertions can be made from this piece of Islamic art from the 14 th century? What factors could cause a religion to grow / spread?
1. Arabian Peninsula Geography a. desert / oasis b. sedentary farming possible in highlands of Yemen and in interior mountain communities c. crossroads to major trade network connecting Indian Ocean and Mediterranean with East Africa i. numerous cosmopolitan trading cities
2. Arabian Peninsula s Humans ARABS a. inhabited by nomadic Bedouins (seasonal migrations) i. fiercely independent tribal society (clans and blood feuds) ii. polytheistic with values of bravery, loyalty, and highly expressive oral poetry
1. important before Islam a. Kaaba the preeminent shrine in Arabia i. housed polytheistic idols b. large trading center / place of religious pilgrimage 2. dominated by Quraysh tribe (tax revenues) 3. becomes a diasporic community a. Arabs, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians and others! 4. Tribal gods meant separate identities *Similar holy place to Wailing Wall, St. Peter s Basilica or Jesus tomb, Angor Wat and Borobudur
1. Arabs became increasingly inclined to ideas of monotheism a. Allah becomes chief god (still hard to access) b. Allah becomes Yahweh (Jewish High God) c. trace lineage back to Abraham d. appearance of Arabia becoming Jewish / Christian but then the dramatic story of Islam and Muhammad
1. Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (570 632 CE) a. born in Mecca to the Quraysh b. orphaned, adopted by uncle, works as a shepherd c. marries Khadija a wealthy merchant at 25 (six kiddies) d. becomes a trader and travels much e. always a contemplative man, spends time meditating in the desert and has a religious experience not too unlike the Buddha or Jesus f. receives religious inspiration for 22 years beginning in 610 CE
FOUNDATIONAL BELIEFS Allah & Allah s creation are separate things (agree with Genesis account) There is a devil that battles with Allah for people s souls There is an eternal afterlife determined by one s actions Worship of anything except Allah is idolatry Much of the old testament is correct, e.g. Abraham Jesus is a prophet and not part of god
1. records the revelations of Muhammad, becomes the sacred scriptures to Muslims a. literally, the very words of God b. to be recited, not simply read c. when read in Arabic, tantamount to being in the presence of the divine d. unbelievably beautiful poetry
The Quran 2. contains a revolutionary message a. radically monotheistic b. a complete guide for life / final authority on all matters c. stresses honesty, generosity, and social justice d. contains harsh punishments for those who go against the teachings in the Qur an e. Muhammad becomes the final prophet (Messenger of God) from the tradition of Abraham, Moses, Jesus 3. this message was corrective a. not a new religion, but one that finally unifies previous b. Jews got it wrong when they assumed the position of the Chosen Ones c. Christians got it wrong when they made Jesus into a God d. Arabs were way off because they were still polytheistic 4. Basically, the Quran challenged everything it meant to be a tribalbased Arab
Teachings of Islam 5 Pillars of Islam (cornerstone of religion) Shahada الش هادة Declaration of Faith Salah الصالة - Prayer Zakah الزكاة - Almsgiving Sawm الصوم Fasting (Ramadan) Hajj الحج - Pilgrimage
THE HIJRA & RISE OF ISLAM Muhammad & followers fled Mecca to nearby city of Medina Muhammad made mayor, ran the city well, spread Islam throughout Muhammad & followers began to spread out, eventually taking over Mecca & winning the submission of the Quraysh
Muslims were from all tribes formed a single community called the Anyone could be Muslim Like: Christianity and Buddhism No priests, only teachers Single god, single community, single peace Islam s ethical system provided a code of behavior people could rely on -- Equality of all believers -- Charity (zakat) Notice: Spread rapidly among Arabs Turning Point: Muhammad s death in 632 CE