Islam
Last Updated     12/3/2007      12/2/2007     12/1/2007

People who live on the Arabian Peninsula are Arabs. Most were Bedouin herders of camels, goats, and sheep.  They roamed the desert in search of grass and water.  In the 600s, Bedouin warriors fought over the grass and the water.They valued their camels and swords.  They enjoyed poetry and music. They believed in many gods.  Islam began on the mountains of western Arabia known as the Hejaz..  Within 100 years, an Islamic empire based on Islamic beliefs had developed.

Islam means giving oneself over to the will of god.
Islamic faith was founded by an Arab merchant named Muhammad.
He came to be known as the prophet of Allah.
The word "Allah" means "The God."
People who followed the Muslim faith are Muslims, "followers of Islam."

Makkah (Mecca)
The three major cities in the Hejaz: Yathrib, Ta',  and  Makkah.
Yathrib was an oasis of farms.
Ta' was a mountain refuge
Makkah was a crossroads for trade.



Ka'bah
Arabia's holiest shrine, the Ka'bah, stood in the center of Makkah.
It is a low shapped building surounded by 360 idols.
A black stone that fell from paradise was set in the wall.
Muslims beleive it was built by Adam.
Abraham and his son, Ishamel, rebuilt it.
They dedicated it it to worship one god.
Later, people filled it with idols.

FOOTNOTE: Historical data contradict this belief, as none of them ever went to Mecca.  Evidence also refutes the claim that Muhammad was related to Ishamel.

Muhammad   570-632
Early Life
570, Muhammad born in Makkah to a widow.
576, Muhammad's mother dies.
He is taken in by his uncle.
In his teens, Muhammad bega work in the caravan business.
600, 25-year old Muhammad marries a 40-year old rich widow, Khad'juh.

"The Call"
Drinking, gambling, and corruption in Makkah bothered him.
He spent time alone and concluded there was only one god, Allah.
This was the same god of the Jews and Christians.
In 610, the angel Gabriel told him to preach.
A holy man told his wife this was the same angel that visited Moses.
Muhammad was to be the prophet of his people.

Message of Muhammad
613, Muhammad begins to preach.
There is only ong god, Allah.
Allbelievers are equal.
Rich should share with the poor.
Life was a preparation for the Day of Judgement.

Makkah's Reaction
Rich leaders first laughed at Muhammad.
Then they felt theatened.
They did not want people to stop visiting the Ka'bah.
Pilgrims spent money.
The leaders of Makkah were worried that the economy would suffer.
The rich would no longer have money.
They began persecuting Muhammad and his followers.

City of the Prophet
In 620, Muhammad preached to pilgrims from Yathrib.
622, they invited him to be their leader.
Muhammad and several hundred followers fled to Yathrib.
The "Year of the Migration" became year one on the Muslim calendar.
Yathrib was renamed Madina, "the city of the prophet."
Muhammad was an able leader.
People of Mekkah did not like Muhammad's success.
They invaded Madina with larger armies several times.
In 628, they signed a peace treaty with the pewople of Makkah.
630, Muhammad conquers Makkah peacefully.
He forgave all who had opposed him.
All tribes of Arabia accepyed Islam and loyalty to Muhammad.
632, Muhammad died.

The Quran
The Quran is the Muslim scriptures.
Muslims believe God to Muhammad what to write.
Good Muslims should not eat pork, drink liquor, or gamble.
It gives advice on marriage, divorce, inheritance, and business.

Pillars of Faith
Declaration of Faith
A Muslim should declare his/her belief that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is his prophet.
Prayer five times a day
Muslims should pray five times a day at set times facing the city of Mecca.
The city of Mecca is considered the holiest city of Islam because Muhammad lived there.
It is the place where the teachings of the Koran were told to Muhammad by Allah.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan
During the entire month of Ramadan each year, Muslims should go without eating or drinking during daylight.
Ramadan is a month during which Muslims try to clean and purify their bodies.
Help the needy
Muslims should give to zakah,  charity.
This practice is called giving alms.
The money is used to help the poor and support good causes.
Pilgrimage to Mecca
Muslims should make a pilgrimage or journey to Mecca once in their lifetime.
This pilgrimage to Mecca is called a hajj.

Promise of the Quran
Believers who do what they are supposed to do will go tp Paradise.
Paradise has shade, fruit trees, flower gardens, cold springs, and singing birds.
hell is a pit of fire.
Drinking water comes from a salty well.
Food causes hunger.

Time Line of Islam

Bibliography
Greenblatt, Miriam, and Lemmo, Peter. Human Heritage A World History. Columbus, Ohio: McGraw-Hill, 2001.

"Ka'bah." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 29 Nov. 2007  <http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9044246>.