What are the Basic Teachings of Islam? Why did Islam Spread Rapidly? Why did Islam split into different

branches? What were some achievements of Islamic

Civilization?

Begins on the Arabian peninsula Muhammad born in Mecca in c. 570 Worked for wealthy widow Khadija leading

caravans from Mecca to Palestine and Syria Khadija becomes his wife and encourages

his spirituality At 40 while fasting and praying in a desert

cave the Angel Gabriel appears and tells him to “proclaim”

Rejected at first, but welcomed as a respected leader in Yathrib later named Medina

Migration from Mecca to Medina called Hejira and marks the first year of the Muslim calendar

Later returns and conquers Mecca brining Arabian peninsula under his control in 632.

Summed up in statement“No God but Allah: Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah”

Islam itself means “Submission” Submission is based on the 5 Pillars

Belief in one God Prayer: 5 times a day Charity to the Poor Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan Hajj- Pilgrimage to Mecca

Some include a sixth pillar: Jihad, Struggle in God’s service

Sacred book of Islam Believed to contain the exact word of

God as revealed to Muhammad Authority for Muslims on all subjects Originally could not be translated from

Arabic

People of the Book Include Jews and Christians Should be treated with tolerance

Ethical Conduct Honor Parents Be honest and kind Protect the weak and helpless All people are equal

Spread rapidly in 100 years after Muhammad’s death By 732 Empire stretched from Indus river to the

Atlantic Included Persia, Arabia, Palestine, Egypt, North

Africa, and Spain Reasons for swift expanse:

Arab armies united in their beliefs Arabs seen as liberators from other empires Conquered found the message of Islam appealing Non-believers not forced to convert, but made to

pay a tax

Begins 30 years after Muhammad’s death Debate over who should be Caliph,

successor of the prophet Splits Islam into two branches:

Sunni- any devout Muslim can become Caliph Shiite- only descendants of Ali can become

Caliph

Umayyad Dynasty- 661-750 Unifies under capital of Damascus, Syria Arabs control all

Abbasid Dynasty- 750-1258 Created to replace without Arab control Made Baghdad the capital Give freedom to various ethnic muslims

Controlled Trade Set up credit systems Created banks and trading centers Created University in Baghdad “The

House of Wisdom” Made advances in math, medicine, and

astronomy.