RISE OF ISLAM
(CHAPTER – 11 / SECTION - 1)
 The Arabian Peninsula is mostly desert region. However, there
are pockets of oasis and through irrigation a scattering of farms.
 At the time of Muhammad there were numerous Arab clans.
 The Bedouins were nomadic herders that used camels to move
across the country in search of pastures. Due to the scarcity of
such land led to many battles.
 Bedouins would also trade at settlements within oasis towns,
one of which was Mecca. The town was also known as a
thriving religious center.
 The pilgrims would pray at the Kaaba, an ancient shrine that
Muslims today believe that Abraham built. The Kaaba housed
many statues of local gods and goddesses.
The Prophet Muhammad
He was born in Mecca around 570. Early in his youth he would
work among the Bedouins and later, at 25, he would marry a
wealthy widow of a caravan business.
Muhammad became troubled by the idol worshiping and the moral
ills that had over ridden their society. On night, when he was 40,
he went to a cave to meditate. He would hear a voice and was told
“to recite, for it is God the creator.
From this moment on he began the creation of Islam, which
means in Arabic “submission”.
The Hijra
In 622, Muhammad, the Muslim prophet, faced the threat of
murder by local merchants who feared his teaching believing in
Allah (Muslim word for God) would drive business away as
people traveled on their pilgrimages.
Muhammad and his followers left on a journey known as the
Hijra to the city of Yathrib (later known as Medina) or city of the
prophet. Thus 622 became the first year of the Muslim calendar.
Muhammad was well accepted in Yathrib (Medina). Muhammad
would gain respect and converts due to his rule and lawgiving.
After winning battles over the Meccains, Muhammad returned in
630 and destroyed the idols in the Kaaba.
In 632 Muhammad died, however, the faith he proclaimed spread
across the world.
Teaching of Islam
Islam is a monotheistic based religion on the fact that there is
only one God.
Within the Quran, the sacred text of Islam, it teaches that God is
all powerful and compassionate. It also states that people are
responsible for all of their actions.
The Five Pillars
1) The declaration of faith “There is no God, but God.”
2) Daily prayer after a ritual washing. All prayers are facing the
holy city of Mecca. Most pray within mosques, a Muslim holy
temple.
3) Giving charity to the poor and needy
4) Fasting from sun-up to sun-down during the holy month of
Ramadan.
5) The hajj or the pilgrimage to Mecca. Where all Muslims are
expected to visit the Kaaba once in their life time.
The Quran is the holy book from which all matters are decided
and are final.
Some Muslims have looked upon the jihad, struggle with God’s
service, as another duty.
Impact Upon Women
The women within society prior to Islam were able to participate in
trade, religion and warfare.
Most women were under the control of their male guardian and
could not inherit property.
Also unwanted daughters and babies we killed at birth.
Under Islam women were to be spiritual equal to men.
They were also to be protected and the killing of daughters was
prohibited.
They could inherit from the death of a family member, seek
divorce and participate in public life.
Men were allowed to have up to (4) wives if they could afford
them.
ISLAM SPREADS
(CHAPTER – 11 / SECTION - 2)
Muhammad’s death placed his followers into heavy grief. One
person would step forward and try to keep the quest alive.
He would tell the Arabic people that “Muhammad is dead, but
God is still alive.”
Age of Conquests
The first crisis faced by the first caliph, successor to Muhammad,
Abu Bakr was to maintain the unity of the Arab armies.
With complete unity the Arab armies marched across and
conquered land from the Atlantic to India.
Reasons for the success
 The Arabs were able to move easily against the Persians and
Byzantine empires because of their weakness at the time.
 Bold and efficient fighting methods also aided the Muslims to
victories. The use of the camel and horses made the Arabs a
quick and mobile army. But the one single strongest force was
their religion.
 Conquered non-Muslims, that did not convert, but paid a tax.
However they allowed them to continue practicing their own
religions. Islam has no hierarchy or class of priests, equality of
all believers regardless of sex, class or wealth.
 In Spain the Muslims employed Jewish officials, welcomed
Christian scholars and built great centers of art and learning.
Movements within Islam
The Sunni’s believed that the caliph should be chosen by the
leaders of the Muslim community.
The Shiites believed that the descendants of Muhammad’s
daughter and son-in-law.
Internal struggles have to this day created a rift within the religion.
However, they believe in the Quran and make the hajj.
Today 90% of the Muslims are Sunni. Both sects are broken
down into many other factions.
The Sufi is Muslim mystics who seek communion with God
through meditation, fasting and other rituals.
They are known for their miraculous powers and piety (deities that
obey strict observance of the Islamic religion).
Empire of the Caliphs
The Umayyad family established a strong dynasty until 750. At
that time Abu al-Abbas defeated the Umayyad dynasty and
established an empire that lasted until 1258.
The major change within this empire came as Arab dominance
ended and Islam became a universal religion.
He established Baghdad as the new capitol. Within this city rose
great culture centers and works of art.
Above the city were minarets, slender towers of the mosques.
Each day a muezzin, a mosques official, would climbed to the top
and would call the faithful to prayer.
The city of Baghdad reached its peak of glory under the leadership
of Harun al-Rashid. He was admired by both the Muslim and
European world as a model ruler.
In the Christian bible Israel is the nation most often mentioned.
Second is Iraq. Thus no other nation, other than Israel, has more
bible history or prophecy.
It is mentioned in the Koran (verse 9:11),
“For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a
fearsome eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt
throughout the land of Allah and lo, while some of the
people trembled in despair still many more rejoiced;
for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah;
and their was peace.”
The Decline of Caliphate
The splinter of factions due to civil war within the empire and
constant invaders began to take its toll upon the empire.
Within the 900’s the Seljuks, Turks migrated into the Middle East
from Asia.
By 1055 a Seljuk sultan, or authority, controlled Baghdad.
They would spread across the Asia Minor and threaten the
Byzantine Empire.
The interference of Christian pilgrims prompted Pope Urban II to
call for the first crusades in 1095.
In 1099 the First Crusaders captured Jerusalem.
However, the battles for control of the city and region would wage
on for many years.
The Crusades had a greater impact upon Europe than it did within
the Muslim world.
Mongols
Waves of attacks spread throughout the Arab region.
Baghdad was looted and burned.
However, the Mongols adopted Islam.
GOLDEN AGE OF MUSLIM CIVILIZATION
(CHAPTER – 11 / SECTION - 3)
Through a dream, Caliph al-Mamun, embarked on translating all of
the classical works of the world into Arabic. He set up the “House
of Wisdom” within the city of Baghdad.
Society and the Economy
Under the Abbassids reign a sense of social mobility emerged in
which one could move up in social class.
One could do so through religious, scholarly or military
achievements.
Slavery was common within the Muslim world. Converted Muslim
slaves could not win their freedom, however their children could.
Also a female slave that married a Muslim male could gain
freedom. Islamic law encouraged the freeing of slaves.
International Trade Network
Between 750 and 1350 merchants built vast trading networks
within the Muslim empire. They would set up business
partnerships, bought and sold on credit and formed banks to
change currency.
They even created the first checks or sakk. The trade would
spread new technologies and products.
Manufacturing:
Guilds were able to regulate prices, weights and measures,
methods of production and the quality of the product.
A vast array of swords, leather goods, carpets, glassware and
furniture created a demand for the Muslim world’s products.
Agriculture:
The variety of farms created a flood of new goods. Sugar cane,
cotton, dyes, medicinal herbs, fruits and vegetables found their
way to foreign markets.
Art & Literature
The Quran forbid the worshiping of any idols. There was no artful
display of God or human religious figures.
They instead created arabesque, the intricate design composed of
curved lines that suggest floral shapes.
Muslim artists also perfected their skills in calligraphy, the art of
beautiful handwriting.
Architecture:
Muslims adapted the Byzantine domes and arches into their
buildings. Within the city of Jerusalem the ‘Dome of the Rock’
was built of a great shrine capped with a magnificent dome.
Poetry:
The Arab world had a rich tradition of oral poetry. Most of themes
centered upon chivalry and the romance of nomadic life.
One of the most famous Muslim poets was Omar Khayyam. As
a scholar and astronomer he meditates on fate and the fleeting
nature of life.
Tales:
One of the best known collections of tales is the Thousand and
One Nights. Later the versions of Aladdin and his Magic Lamp
or Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves were translated into English.
The World of Learning
Philosophy:
Muslim scholars would translate Greek philosophy, as well as
Hindu and Buddhist texts. Muslim scholars would try to harmonize
Greek ideas about reason with religious beliefs based upon a divine
revelation.
Ibn Rushd, known in Europe as Averroes, put all knowledge,
except for the Quran, to the test of reason.
Mathematics:
Muslim scholars would study both Indian and Greek mathematics.
Al-Khwarizmi pioneered the study of algebra.
Astronomy:
Many Muslim astronomers studied eclipses, observed the earth’s
rotation and calculated the circumference of the earth within a few
thousand feet.
Medicine
The Muslims made great advances in medicine and public health.
The doctors had to pass a test before they were able to practice, set
up hospitals with separate wards for women and doctors would
travel to rural areas and jails to treat the needy.
Muhammad al-Razi wrote several books that would study
measles and small pox. He taught doctors to treat the mind as well
as the body for a quicker recovery.
Ibn Sina, known in Europe as Avicenna, created the work
known as the Cannon on Medicine, a huge encyclopedia about
how one would diagnose and treat diseases.
The book also contains a list of more than 4,000 prescriptions.
European scholars would translate Arabic texts and for the next
500 years Sina and Razi were the standard in medical studies.
MUSLIMS IN INDIA
(CHAPTER – 11 / SECTION - 4)
After the Gupta Empire fell in 550, India fragmented into many
smaller kingdoms. Despite power struggles the Indian culture
developed.
Vast trade networks from India to the Middle East, Southeast Asia
and China emerged.
The Delhi Sultanate
In 1000, Muslim Turks and Afghans invaded India. The Ghur
defeated the Hindu armies and made Delhi the capitol.
From that time his successors organized a sultanate, or land ruled
by a sultan. This marked the point which the Muslims ruled
northern India.
Some of the reasons why the Muslims won over the Indians were
that Muslim mounted archers had greater mobility than the
war elephants and those Hindu rulers wasted resources battle
against each other rather that uniting.
Large numbers of Hindus, especially the lower castes converted to
Islam. Most of the Indian people were born into castes or social
groups from which there was no chance to change.
The effects of Muslim rule brought changes within the Indian
government and society. During the Mongol invasion in the 1200’s
many of the scholars adventurers fled from Baghdad to Delhi.
Tamerlane invaded India and enslaved thousands of artisans and
created a new capitol in Samarkand; from that point forward the
sultans no longer controlled northern India, which again
fragmented into rival Hindu and Muslim states.
Muslims and Hindus
Hindu was an ancient religion that had evolved over thousand of
years. Hindus recognized many sacred texts and prayer before
statues representing many Gods.
Hindus also celebrated religious occasions with music and dance.
Strict Muslims condemned such actions.
Islam however, was a new religion that was based upon a single
text and a single God. Muslims saw the multi god worshiping as
being offensive to the one true God.
Hindus remained second class citizens; as long as they paid the
non-Muslim tax they could practice their own religion. Some
sultans even left rajahs or local Hindu rulers in place.
Some of the lower-caste Hindus converted to Islam because they
knew that rejected the caste system. Merchants were attracted to
the Muslims because of the extensive trade routes across the
desert.
A new language of Urdu emerged as the various cultures melded
together.
Mughal India
Babur conquered and established the Mughal Dynasty. This
empire stretched from Himalayas to the Deccan Plateau.
Akbar the Great was the chief builder of the Mughal Empire.
He won support from the Hindus because of his religious
tolerance, gave government jobs to the Hindus and treated the
Hindu princes as his partners in ruling the vast empire.
His most far reaching attribute was his wisdom in managing the
finances of the empire.
Akbar’s Successor
Akbar’s son was a weak ruler, so he left most of the details of
government in the hands of his wife, Nur Jahan. She would be
India’s most powerful leader until the twentieth century.
The high point of Mughal dynasty came under the reign of Shah
Jahan. When his wife, Mumtaz Mahal died he decided to construct
a tomb for her, the Taj Mahal.
A second Taj was to be built; however, his son took the throne
from him.
The decline of the empire was due to Aurangzeb returned to
persecuting the Hindus. This led to economic hardships, increased
heavy taxes, which in turn created revolts against the Mughal rule.
THE OTTOMAN AND SAFAVID EMPIRES
(CHAPTER – 11 / SECTION – 5)
The Expanding Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman’s were another Turkish speaking nomadic people.
With the falling Byzantine Empire, the fear grew that the Ottomans
would capture Constantinople.
In 1453 Muhammad II captures the city and renames it Istanbul.
For the next 200 years the Ottoman’s would rule the largest empire
in both of Europe and Middle East.
Ottoman Culture
From 1520 – 1566 a golden age existed under the leadership of
Suleiman. Under his wise rule the army was modernized,
conquered many lands, strengthened government and improved the
justice system.
He was aided by the grand vizier. Ottoman law was based upon
the Sharia, supplemented by royal edicts.
Social Organization
The Ottoman’s divided their subjects into four classes:
 At the top were “men of the pen” – scientists, lawyers, poets
and judges
 Next were “men of the sword”- soldiers that guarded the sultan
and defended the state
 Next were the “men of negotiation” – such as merchants, tax
collectors and artisans who carried out trade and production
 Last were the “men of husbandry”- farmers and herders who
produced food for the country
While the men of the sword and pen were almost entirely made up
of Muslims, the other classes were made up of non-Muslims,
sometimes known as millets or religious communities.
Each of these communities had their own religious leaders who
were responsible for education and some legal matters.
The Ottomans also levied a tax upon Christian families in the
Balkans, requiring them to turn over their youngest sons to the
government.
The boys would be converted to Islam and trained within the
Military. The best soldiers won a place amongst the Janizaries,
the elite force of the Ottoman army.
Literature and the Arts
Ottoman painters were influenced by the Persian artistic style.
With this Sinan designed hundreds of mosques and palaces.
One of his most famous buildings was the Selimiye Mosque at
Edirne, the greatest church in the Byzantine Empire.
One of the greatest poets of the time was Baki, of which he wrote
a poem to honor the death of Suleiman.
The Decline
While other surrounding civilization began to industrialize; the
Ottoman Empire still relied upon agriculture to sustain them.
Fringe territories were chipped away from the empire and soon
local rulers were leaving.
The Safavid Empire
A new emerging Turkish Empire was coming about in what we
today call Iran. The ruling power was known as the Safavid,
Shiite Muslims who enforced their beliefs throughout the empire.
The Ottomans were Sunni Muslims who despised the Shiites and
believed them to be heretics.
From 1588 – 1629 Safavid Shah, or King, Abbas the Great
ruled over the Persian lands. His power came from:
 Created a strong military and diplomacy
 Reduced taxes on farmers and herders
 Encouraged the growth of industrialization
 Tolerated non-Muslims and valued their economic contribution
 Would dress like a commoner and walk amongst the people and
listen to their problems
Decline of the Safavid Empire
The Safavid glory quickly faded after the death of Shah Abbas.
The Ottoman Empire was exerting pressure with its armies;
conservative Shiite scholars challenged the authority of the Shah.
Shah Abbas left behind a legacy of traditions that exist within the
Iranian people. Many of the diverse people living with the Iran
region were united by a common faith and the Arabic language.
Video notes from the DVD- “Secrets of the Koran” (Section 1 & 2 are 45 minutes long
each)
PART-1
The Resertation (means speak aloud) are the Koran’s writings which are the spoken
words that came from the angel Gabriel, who said these words come directly from God.
The Koran was at first not written down, but taught to others through spoken words.
People would memorize parts of the Koran or just a select passage and then pass it onto
others. It was not until after the death of Mohammed that the words were put onto paper.
Mohammed died at the age of 62.
The Koran addressed the imbalance between the rich and powerful verses the poor and
oppressed. So the words and messages within the Koran were appealing to a vast
majority of the people in Saudi Arabia.
Difference between the Bible and Koran; the Koran’s words are unaltered, they are God’s
words. Muslim’s believe that the Bible text is altered by other people’s interpretations.
The Koran acknowledges Jesus and prophets from the Bible and there attempt to create a
world of peace and understanding. However Jesus is not acknowledged by the Muslims
as the son of God.
The Koran’s impact upon the people was dramatic because it educated people to read and
write. The region became a center of learned people. Muslim word “LER” means
educated.
PART-2
Throughout history conflicts emerged between the Christian’s and Muslim’s. The
crusades say a challenge to rule and influence over the region. Jerusalem is the third
most holy city within the Muslim world. Because that is place in which Mohammed
ascended into heaven. Medina and Mecca are the other two holiest cities within the
Muslim world. The crusades lasted over hundreds of years and were finally ended in a
truce during a battle for Jerusalem.
The interpretation and meanings within the written word of the Koran changed within
modern times. The end of WWI created new colonies within the Middle East. These
countries were ruled by leaders that were under the influence of outside governments.
They did not follow the laws laid out within the Koran. This brought about the new
interpretation of the word “Jihad”. Originally there are two levels of the word, the
primary meaning meant inner struggle to battle the forces to maintain the ability to follow
the words of the Koran and the lesser meaning to battle outside forces that jeopardize the
existence of the people to follow the word of the Koran.
The passages have conflicting meanings. On one hand the Koran directs people to live in
harmony and then it speaks words of battling over outside forces. The terrorist groups
today site the Koran; yet omit passages or words to enhance their cause.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MUSLIMES AND HINDUS
WHAT DOES ISLAM BRING THAT ATTRACTS OTHERS TO ITS RELIGION?
WHAT WAS SO ATTRACTIVE ABOUT INDA? (WEALTH AND RICHES IT
POSSESSED)
STATE HINDUS / THAN MUSLIM BELIEVES:
*RELIGION EVOLVED OVER THOUSANDS OF YEARS
*PRACTICE THE OBSERVANCE OF MANY SACRED TEXTS AND STATUES OF
MANY GODS
*CASTES SYSTEM OF SOCIAL CULTURE
*CELERBRATED RELIGIOUS OCCASSIONS WITH DANCE AND SONG
MANY OF THE MUSLIMS BELEIVED THAT THE MANY HINDU GODS &
GODESSES WERE ACTUALLY A SINGLE GOD
THUS THE MUSLIMS ACCEPTED THE HINDU RELIGION
WHY WOULD HINDU’S CONVERT TO ISLAM? (CASTES SYSTEM & THEY
WOULD HAVE AN OPPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
& MERCHANTS WERE ATTRACTED TO THE VAST AREA OF TRADE THAT
THE MUSLIMS HAD CREATED)
BLENDING OF THE TWO CULTURES
THE MIXING OF THE TWO CULTURES SPREAD ACROSS INTO MARRIAGE
AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF A CASTES SYSTEM AND A NEW LANGUAGE
EMERGED URDU.
AN INDIAN HOLY MAN CREATED THE NEW RELIGION OF SIKHISM.
NANAK’S NEW RELIGIION REJECTED IDOL WORSHIPING AND THE CASTE
SYSTEM.
MUGHAL MEANS MONGOL
AKBAR THE GREAT
*WON THE ACCEPTANCE OF HINDU’S THROUGH HIS TOLERATION
*STRONG CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
*OPENED UP GOVERNMENT JOBS TO HINDU’S FROM ALL CASTES
*ENDED THE TAX OF ALL NON-MUSLIMS
JAHANGIR (AKBAR’S SON) WAS A WEAK RULER THAT LET HIS WIFE TAKE
ON MANY OF THE DUTIES. UPON HIS WIFE’S DEATH HE BUILT A TOMB FOR
HER KNOWN AS THE TAJ MAHAL.