The Origins of Islam in Arabia

• Arabia deserts have a limited water supply.
• An oasis is a fertile, wet area found in a desert.
• Nomads travel from place to place without a permanent home.
• Sedentary life involves living in a permanent home.
• A caravan is a group of traders traveling together.
• Arabia was called the "Crossroads" because towns became centers of trade.
• Bazaar means market.
• Nomads traded animal products.
• Muhammad is the founder of Islam.

Muhammad

• He worked for Khadijah, a wealthy business woman.
• While meditating, an angel appeared to Muhammad in a cave and shared the word of God.
• A prophet communicates messages from God.
• Islam means to submit to God.
• A follower of Islam is called a Muslim.
• Messages from God shared with Muhammad were collected in the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam.
• Allah means God.
• Judaism, Christianity, and Islam believe in the same God.
• A pilgrimage is a sacred journey.
• Muhammad's teachings upset some Arabs because his religion interfered with the money they made from pilgrimages.
• Wealthy merchants in Mecca did not like Muhammad teaching that the rich and poor are equal.
• Muhammad moved to Medina, also known as "The Prophet's City".
• Hegira means journey.
• Muhammad's house in Medina became the first mosque.
• Muslims are expected to make a trip to Mecca during their lifetime.
• Muslims believe the Qur'an contains the exact word of God.
• A central tenet is that there is only one God, and Muhammad is his prophet.
• Muhammad taught that God would judge all people on the final day.
• The Qur'an gives Muslims guidance in their daily lives.
• The Qur'an discouraged slavery and granted some rights to women, though fewer than men.
• Jihad means "to make an effort or to struggle" and can be translated to "Holy War".
• The Sunnah guides Muslim behavior.

Five Pillars of Islam

• These are the core beliefs and duties of Muslims:
  • Declaring the faith by saying, "There is no God but God, and Muhammad is his prophet."
  • Praying five times a day.
  • Giving to the poor and needy.
  • Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.
  • Traveling to Mecca at least once on a Hajj.
• After Muhammad's death, Abu Bakr became the next leader of Islam.
• Caliph is the title for the highest leader of Islam, meaning "successor."
• Early Caliphs were not religious leaders.
• When Muslims conquered lands, they set rules for non-Muslims, allowing Christians and Jews to practice their religions.
• Islam spread through trade and warfare.
• Muslims exchanged culture and ideas through trade.

Ottoman Empire

• The Ottoman empire trained captured boys who converted to Islam to become Janissaries, or slave soldiers.
• Mehemd II, known as "the Conqueror," used cannons and gunpowder to defeat enemies.
• The Ottoman Empire reached its peak under Sulyman.

Safavid Empire

• The Safavid Empire blended Persian and Muslim cultures.

Division of Islam

• Islam split into two groups:
  • Shia Muslims believe only Muhammad's descendants could become Caliphs.
  • Sunni Muslims did not think Caliphs needed to be related to Muhammad.
• The Ottomans were Sunni, and the Safavid were Shia.
• Abbas was one of the greatest Safavid leaders.

Mughal Empire

• The Mughal Empire was led by Alskar.
• Akhar was tolerant of other religions.
• Tolerance means acceptance.
• The Mughal Empire declined when an emperor burned temples and other places of worship.
• The Taj Mahal was one of the empire's greatest architectural achievements.