The Rise and Spread of Islam WHAP

The Rise and Spread of Islam WHAP

1. Muhammad lived in Bedouin tribe in Mecca, later moved to Medina; tribes were rivals, had polytheistic & animistic beliefs, Mecca & Medina major trading cities

   • Islam reflected interactions with Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians

2. Muhammad created Islam after receiving revelations from the angel Gabriel in 610, word of Allah recorded in Qur'an

   • Caused for worry among the Umayyads, plotted to kill Muhammad
     • Muhammad left Mecca in fear of murder, went to Medina, flight is known as hijra first calendar year for Islam
       • Muhammad was very well liked and Islam became an accepted religion
     • The Umayyds established capital of Baghdad along Tigris which was a major trading city

3. Beliefs of Islam

   • The Five Pillars
     • Zakat - Almsgiving (charitable donations), believe that all belongs to Allah
     • Sawm - Fasting during the month of Ramadan
     • Hajj - the pilgrimage to Mecca
     • Salat - Pray five times a day facing Mecca, wash before praying
     • Shahada - testimony and declaration of faith to Allah
   • Egalitarian compared to other religions, made appealing for converts

4. Creation of dhows made trade easier especially with lanteen sails

5. The Spread of Islam

   • Military actions such as the invasion of India spread the religion mainly because of egalitarian thinking
     • Muslims in India set up diasporic communities in India, which helped aid in trade and conversion to the religion
   • Merchant trade along Silk Road, Sub - Saharan trade, Indian Ocean helped spread the religion, esp in the Asian islands
   • Missionaries spread the religion especially sufi mystics