Transcript Slide 1
The First Global Civilization & The Birth of Islam Objective: To understand and analyze the birth of Islam on the Arabian peninsula and how it evolved into a world religion and created the 1st global civilization. http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=yX3UHNhQ1Zk Oasis Towns & Desert Life in preIslamic Arabia The Arabian peninsula is uninhabitable- mostly desert with some oasis towns Struggle for subsistence on Arabian peninsula Bedouins, (nomadic herders- adapt to desert conditions) Clans and tribes Bedouin & clan religion- Animism & polytheism Mecca- site of trade and town of 2 meeting caravan routes & also center of pilgrimage- site of the Ka’ba Yathrib- later named Medina “City of the Prophet” The Prophet Muhammad & The Genesis of Islam Muhammad born 570 CE orphaned at a young age Born into Bedouin tribe and is a merchant- takes part in caravans – comes into contact with other faiths At 20 works for and marries Khadija- widowed merchant Muhammad is dissatisfied with material life and often Meditates Muhammad’s Vision: 610 - revelation Has a vision of Gabriel Devotes the rest of his life to the spread of Islam 622 leaves Mecca for Medina- Hijra Launches attacks on Meccan caravans & defeat Muslims – 630 return to Mecca & destroy idols 632 most of peninsula supports new faith including rival Umayyads The Ka’ba The Message of Islam Based on strict monotheism – Allah (all powerful God) Dignity and equality of believers before God Moral code-Responsible for own actions Payment of zakat (tax for charity) No recognition of priests Idol depiction forbidden The Five Pillars: 1) Declaration of faith: One 2) 3) 4) 5) God: Allah (shahadah) Prayer: 5X a day (salat) Fasting-during holy month of Ramadan (siyam) Tax for charity (zakat) Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca Some consider jihad, a 6th pillar-varying interpretations (Grand Mosque, Mecca) The Quran & Sharia Sacred word of God Final authority Honesty, generosity, justice Harsh penalties for stealing or murder In original Arabic language • Body of law that applies Quran to everyday life of the umma • Unites converts to Islam • No separation between criminal or civil law- Quran all situations • Islam is a religion and a way of life Women pray in a mosque in Banda Aceh Converts & “People of the Book” • Muslims share similar beliefs with Christians& Jews- some same Prophets, idea of afterlife, the Bible & Torah are revelations from God • Jews & Christians are “People of the Book” (spiritually superior to idol worshippers) • Muslims generally tolerant as long as people pay taxes The Succession Crisis 632 Muhammad dies 632leadership crisis Clan selects a caliph (political and religious successor to Muhammad) Choose Abu Bakr (oversees raids on N. Africa, zones in Iraq, Syria, and Egypt) Movements within Islam: the Sunni & Shiite (Shia) Split & Further Factions Muhammad's death creates deep rifts within Muslim community 3rd caliph Uthman murdered → his death creates another uproar Shiites Sunnis Sufis Caliphs be chosen by Only successor to Muslims mystics members of Muslims Muhammad is community descendants of Piety & power Pious Muslims- not Muhammad (imam) religious authority Ali’s right to caliphate Selfless worship Majority branch Minority branch of God Live in Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and Yemen Missionary Work The Conquest & Spread of Islam • Empire conquered Persia, parts of Byzantine, Jerusalem, North Africa, & Southern Spain • Tolerant rulers – “Empire Arab rather than Islamic” • Extent into Spain- Cordoba,Granada • The Umayyad Caliphate- Damascus, warrior elite, extend Dar-al Islam • The Abbasid Caliphate- Golden Age, Baghdad, huge bureaucracy, revive Silk Road Cordoba, Spain The Alhambra The Mediterranean Basin 6th Century Islamic Culture: “Within the confines of the Islamic domains were located the center of Hellenistic, Persian, Indian, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian civilizations as well as Christian and Jewish traditions of thought and learning.” “The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr.” -Muhammad The Golden Age of Islam Under Harun- al Rashid (786-809) Art- arabesque, calligraphy, geometric patters (no idols) Literature: Poetry & Quran, Sufi Mysticism Philosophy: Greek philosophers Science & Math: Hindi numbers- Arabic numerals, algebra Astronomical tables Medicine: al- Razi Canon on Medicine Islamic Culture: • Harun- al Rashid – golden age of Abbasids • Achievements in art, architecture, literature, medicine, science, math, astronomy, philosophy • Art- no depiction of idols- arabesque/ geometric patterns • Medicine- al- Razi Canon on Medicine • Translation of Greek thought • Attitudes toward trade & women Islamic Art: Arabesque