expansion of islam & islamic culture
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Expansion of Islam & Islamic Culture. Islam. The word Islam means “Submission to the one God (Allah).” The world’s fastest-growing and second-largest religion Central teachings are derived from the Quran, the primary sacred text and Islam’s earthly center . Muhammad. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
EXPANSION OF ISLAM & ISLAMIC CULTURE
ISLAMThe word Islam means “Submission to the one God (Allah).”The world’s fastest-growing and second-largest religionCentral teachings are derived from the Quran, the primary sacred text and Islam’s earthly center.
MUHAMMAD
Muhammad was born about 570 c.e. into the leading tribe of Mecca..He was a hard-working child who began his life as a shepherd and later went into the trading business.He was a caravan manager for a wealthy widow, Khadija, whom he eventually married.
MUHAMMAD AS A PROPHETCitizens of Mecca were hostile to the message of one godMuhammad fled north to Yathrib (Medina)This was known as the Hijra, an event on which
the Muslims base their calendar.Most of Arabia were converted to Islam by the
time of Muhammad’s death in 632.
ALLAHAbraham is the father of the Arab people.Moses and Jesus are also revered.Muhammad is the last and the “seal” of the prophets.Muslims consider human nature as essentially good, sin occurs when people forget their natural goodness.
THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM Confession of faith in one God and acknowledgment of Muhammad as a unique prophet.Prayer 5 times a day.Fasting during RamadanWealth sharing - 2.5 percent of their gross income.Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a person’s life.
EXPANSION AND VARIETIES OF ISLAM
Within one century after Muhammad’s death, Islamic civilization spread throughout the Middle East, Persia, North Africa, and almost all of Spain.Currently, the greatest concentration of Muslims is across the northern half of Africa, all of the Middle East, southwestern and South Asia, and the islands of Malaysia and Indonesia.
SUNNI AND SHI’ISM
The majority of Muslims are Sunni. They follow the established custom, or sunnah, meaning the Sunnah of the prophet, Muhammad.Shi’ism believes in Imams. They are religious leaders who are direct descendants of Muhammad.Iran and Iraq are Shi’ites.
SUFIS
The term comes from the Islamic word suf -the coarse wool garment that is worn by Sufis.Sufism strives to experience Allah as immanent - dwelling within each worshipper.The Sufi experiences oneness with Allah and gains spiritual fortitude.Sufis are not necessarily popular among Muslims.Sufis live monastic lives with a shaykh as their head.
ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION Arab empire was generally prosperous Based on extensive trade by ship & camel Camel caravans went to Morocco in far west to
countries beyond Caspian Sea Trade began to prosper during Abassid dynasty Large magnificent cities began to prosper, such as
Baghdad, Cairo, Damascus, Cordoba Islamic cities had their own physical appearance Palace & mosques = most impressive buildings Fountains, public baths, bazaars
ISLAMIC SOCIETY Muslims live their lives in accordance with
Allah’s teachings revealed in the Quran Islam states that all people are equal in the
eyes of Allah; was not always the case in the Arab empire. There was a well defined upper class of ruling families & wealthy merchants
Slaves were not considered equal - Muslims could not be slaves
CREATION OF ARAB EMPIRE Difficult finding leadership after Muhammad’s death Abu Bakr = Muhammad’s father-in-law was chosen
to be successor/ called caliph = successor to Muhammad
Bakr & Muhammad used Jihad to spread movement of Islam
Jihad = “struggle in way of God”
ARAB EMPIRE First 2 caliphs after Abu Bakr were killed In 656 Muhammad’s son-in-law, Ali, became caliph
but was assassinated 5 years later
Shrine of Imam Ali Najaf, Iraq; third holiest site in Islam
UMAYYAD DYNASTY In 661, general Mu’awiyah
became caliph Was known for only using force
if necessary Made the office of caliph
hereditary 8th century Arabs conquered &
converted the Berbers = lived on coast of North Africa
By 725 Spain was Muslim state Arabs were defeated at Battle
of Tours ending European expansion
Mosque in Cordoba, Spain
UMAYYAD DYNASTY In 717, Muslims attacked Constantinople, but their
navy was defeated by Byzantines Internal struggles led to revolts The struggles caused Islam to split into two groups,
the Shiite & Sunni Split continues today….Most Muslims are Sunnis,
but much of Iraq & Iran consider themselves Shiites
GREATEST EXTENT OF THE UMAYYAD
ABBASID DYNASTY In 750, Abu al-Abbas overthrew the Umayyad
dynasty & founded Abbasid which lasted until 1258 In 762, Abbasid built new capital of Baghdad on the
Tigris river/ location took advantage of river & caravan traffic
Baghdad became center of a huge trade empire
ABBASID DYNASTY FALLS Abbasid experienced problems; fighting
over succession of caliph Vast wealth led to financial corruption Shortage of qualified Arabs to fill
government positions allowed non-Arabs to become a dominant force in the military & bureaucracy which led to disintegration
Rulers of provinces began to break away
GREATEST EXTENT OF THE ABBISIDS