Islam in Arabia

Islam came to Arabia in the 7^th century with Muhammad who was a merchant in Mecca. However, his religion was viewed as a threat to some religious officials in Mecca. When he seemed to be in danger, Muhammad escaped to Medina where he helped settle a dispute, winning wide swath of converts there. From there, he returned to Mecca and established the Ka’ba as a religious shrine in Islam. From there, his leadership won even more converts. Muhammad also put women in a higher position with his respect of them.

I.         Islam

A.       7^th century

B.       Some cities in north developed to help trade as south lost some of their influence

1.        Most important Mecca

a.    In west coast of Arabia, mountainous area

b.    Controlled by Umayyad of Quraysh tribe

c.    Site of Ka’ba so important place for pilgrimage and get-togethers between tribes

2.        Yathrib-later Medina (the city of the prophet)

a.    Developed around oasis

b.    Not as much long distance trade as Mecca

c.    Wheat main food, grew date palms

d.    Traded with Bedouin

e.    Power struggle between 2 Bedouin and 3 Jews

3.        Trade depended on relationships with Bedouin tribes

C.       Muhammad was a merchant who had epiphany and developed Islam in 610, his ideas were written into the Koran, the holy book of Islam

1.        Lived in Mecca, but got driven away when officials believed his religion take away from importance of Ka’ba

2.        Went to Medina and settled despot

3.        Was strong leader and made Arab mainly Muslim

4.        Established Five Pillars of Islam

a.    No God but Allah

b.    Pray to Allah five times a day facing Mecca

c.    Give to poor, zakat

d.    Make Hajj, trip to Mecca

e.    Fast during Ramadan

5.        Made Mecca center of Islam

D.       Women

1.        Had more rights than surrounding civilizations

2.        Respected by Muhammad and thus given more respect in Islam at first

3.        Sometimes gave advice to tribe leaders

4.        Wrote poems

5.        Poems sometimes expressed the idea of just having one love

6.        Weren’t allowed to become warriors

 Elizabeth and Sherry

II.      Primary Source that might be useful: The Koran 652 CE

A.       Muhammad last and most important prophet

B.       Have to believe in God, the end times, angels, the Koran, prophets, and help the needy

C.       There is no distinction between the prophets

D.       Fight anyone that is looking for a fight, but if they relent, forgive them

E.        Men are better than women, but men should treat all wives alike

Sherry