What I need to know: Explain the origins of Islam. Analyze how Islam spread across the Arabian Peninsula. Examine the split between the Sunni Muslims and the Shi aa muslins
Born around 570 CE o Into a powerful family in Mecca o His mother died early in his life o Was taken in by his uncle who was a merchant. Married a wealthy businesswoman and became a prosperous merchant.
Age 40 While praying Muhammad hears a voice call to him o You are the Messenger of God. o Believes it is the Angel Gabriel (same angel that tells Mary she will have a son) Begins to preach o Only one God (Allah Arabic for God same God as Jews and Christians) Muhammad followers become known as Muslims believe in the religion Islam. o The term Muslim/Islam means those who surrender to God
Small group of followers in Mecca. o Persecuted by non Muslims Boycotted Muslim businesses. Faced starvation The Night Journey A miracle o During these years of hardship Mohammad to a winged horse to Jerusalem where he prayed with Abraham, Moses, and Jesus o Jerusalem is a Holy City for Muslims because of this. o Then Mohammed went through seven levels of Heaven and met God.
To escaper persecution Muhammad flees with his supporters to Yathrib. o This migration is called the Hijrah o Rename Yathrib Madinah or Medina. Many people convert to Islam in Medina.
Fighting between the Makkans (people of Mecca) and the Muslims took place as the Makkans tried to capture the city of Medina. In 630 Muhammad and 10,000 Muslims return to Mecca and force the Makkans to surrender without a battle. Muhammad then forgave the Makkans and dedicated the Ka aba (a temple) to Allah. Muhammad was a political leader as well as a religious leader. o Made treaties with nomadic tribes throughout the Arabian peninsula. o This helped Islam spread o By the time of his death in 632 CE much of the Arabian peninsula was unified under Islam.
Muhammad s sucessor as the leader of Islam Leaders of Islam become known as Caliphs Bakr was Muhammad s father in law. There was some disunity among Muslims after Muhammad dies. o Bakr unites the Muslim community through military force. o Expands Islam to the lands north of the Arabian peninsula in to present day Iraq and Syria.
The next three Caliphs Umar, Uthaman, and Ali had all known Muhammad. They use his actions and the Qur an to spread Islam and guide their actions. As a result they are known as the rightly guided caliphs. These four caliphs expanded Muslim territory to include Persia, Southwest Asia, and North Africa.
The Caliphs adopted a policy of toleration of the people they conquered. o Often treated them better than the existing rulers. Many residents converted to Islam because Muslims were exempt from certain taxes. Jews and Christians o Seen as People of the Book o Were exempt from military service as long as they payed a poll tax each year. o Could be Scholars and Government officials.
A group of rebels opposed the third Caliph Uthman and murdered him Begins a civil War Ali becomes the next caliph he too is murdered. After this caliphs are no longer elected. A family known as the Umayyad take power and establish a hereditary rule. Some objected to their leadership b/c they moved the capital to Damascus (Syria) and lived in luxury.
Most Muslims accept the Umayyad dynasty Those who accepted the Umayyads are known as the Sunnis. Those who believe the Caliph should be a descendant of Muhammad are known as Shi a (Shiites) Muslims
Sunnis The first four caliphs were rightful rulers Any Muslim who follows Muhammad s example may be ruler Believe that the Qu ran (holy book) and the Sunnah (Muhammad's words and actions) are the sources of Islam. Shi a Only Ali, Muhammad s sonin-law was a legitimate caliph. Only a descendent of Muhhamad and Ali may be an imam or ruler of Muslims. The Qur an, the Sunnah and the teachings of imams are the sources of Islam.