Islam in Arabia The Religious Homeland
How/Why did Islam arrive in Arabia? The era of the prophet Muhammad lasted from 570-632, who spread his word of God, initially, to the people of Mecca before being driven out. Islamic rule then rapidly extended its reach due to: -periodic military action -promise of material wealth -peace between tribes -marriage alliances Early Arab Tribes frequently warred, but would be united under the banner of Islam
Government Organization In the beginning, the Islamic community or umma, had all political and religious authority fall to Muhammad. There was no distinction between civil and religious law, such as in Christianity. -Sharia is an example of the religious ideals that regulated every aspect of life. In the Islamic Empire, after Muhammad s death, caliphs were chosen as his successors. Two people appeal to a judge in an artwork set during the Abbasid caliphate.
Which social groups were most receptive/resistant? Many of the elite Arabs that encompassed the region were polytheistic and promoted ancestral worship. -This caused them to sharply oppose the rise of Islam, as they feared it would threaten their traditional way of life. A few prominent Meccan leaders, lower-class dependants, freed slaves, and members of poorer clans accepted Muhammad s teachings -It promoted of equality regardless of class, sex, race, and age. Sculptures of Arabian pre-islamic Gods
Religious Institution A primary center of worship, the Great Mosque of Mecca, is where the majority of Muslims will make a pilgrimage to in their lives. In the Islamic community, ritual and gathered prayer is abundant. Teachers, religious scholars, and prayer leaders also existed but did not play as a conduit to God as a Christian clergy would. The Kaaba Black Stone, centered in Al-Masjid al-haram, a sacred Islamic mosque
Arabia Before Islam Clans/tribes of nomadic pastoralists who herded camels and sheep as their livelihood Some small agriculture-based villages Arabian peninsula bordered Byzantine and Sassanid Empires, somewhat influenced by/connected to larger networks The Kaaba in Mecca, a greatly religious site where many different idols, deities, and ancestors were worshipped by poly/monotheistic religions Big pilgrimage site-local tribes benefitted from taxes and trade from pilgrimages Quraysh tribe controlled Mecca and gained wealth from it Pastoralists were the primary inhabitants of pre-islamic Arabia.
Arabia After Islam Muhammad s revelations/teachings catalyzed a great shift in Arabic civilization and life Mecca became center of change New supertribe formed connected by belief rather than common ancestry Many disadvantaged and some privileged people attracted the Islamic egalitarian message Islamic conquests throughout Arabia were successful and led to Islam taking hold as the official belief system of Arabia The first four caliphs, or, Rightly Guided Caliphs, were companions of Muhammad who helped to create an Arabic empire After the growth of Islam in Arabia, its influence would come to encompass regions far from where it initially began
Cultural Developments Qur an, the holy book of Islam, governed Arabic peoples lives and decisions Exhibited Islamic beliefs False idols/deities at the Kabbah were destroyed and were replaced by the one true god of Islam No art/physical representation existed depicting Allah b/c he is beyond human comprehension Many technological advances came from Arabic empire as it grew and acquired new resources and knowledge The holy book of Islam, the Qur an
Diffusion of Language and Culture Extensive conquests of Islam throughout Arabia led to great diffusion of beliefs/culture Became main religion of merchants/commerce along trade routes-led to widespread conversion Muhammad being a merchant gave merchants in Islamic culture a higher status-thus Islam was beneficial to all merchants and trade in general Arabia s location along important trade routes (ex. Indian Ocean, Red Sea, etc.) allowed it to participate in extensive and widespread exchange networks New technologies allowed for the mass migrations of Muslims that led to even more diffusion of Islamic culture/ beliefs Mecca became great cosmopolitan center b/c of annual mass pilgrimages to the Kabbah and proliferous trade throughout region A map depicting the timeline and methods of the spread of Islam