Chapter 9.1 & 9.2 & 9.3 Flashcards
The Muslim religion started where?
The Arabian Peninsula
1,500 years ago small bands of bedouins (Desert nomads) moved their herds in the desert
What was the Arabian peninsula like?
Farming limited in Arabia
Commerce:
Trade routes
Ideas as well as merchandise exchanged
Towns rose near coasts
What was the most important town?
Mecca, near Red Sea, most important of coastal towns
What is the symbol in Mecca of the Muslim religion?
The Kaaba, cube-shaped structure, at heart of Mecca
Possible meteorite built into one wall, “relic from heaven”
Site drew religious pilgrims
What god did Muslims believe?
One god considered supreme: Allah
Who was the Muslims’ most important messenger?
Muhammad the Messenger
Why was Muhammad so important to Muslims?
Angel appeared to him, commanded him to speak messages from Allah
Muhammad concluded God had chosen him to be prophet
What messages did Muhammad receive? From whom?
Among many messages from angel, Muhammad reported Allah one and only true and all-powerful God
Other messages, instructions on how to live to please Allah, reach paradise
Why did Muhammad and his followers leave Mecca?
Muhammad began to preach in public, attracted many followers
Some powerful Meccans did not accept teachings
Many disliked Muhammad’s criticism of traditional beliefs in many gods
After uncle’s death Muhammad knew he and followers not safe in Mecca
Where did Muhammad move to from Mecca? When?
In 622, Muhammad moved to Medina
What was Medina known as?
What was the journey from Mecca to Medina known as?
Medina, “the Prophet’s City”
Journey from Mecca to Medina came to be known as hegira
What was the faith build by Muhammad?
What were his followers called?
Muhammad spent decade building community of believers
Called faith Islam , meaning “achieving peace through submission to God”
Followers known as Muslims
What happened to Mecca?
People of Mecca who wanted Muhammad stopped did not give up
Fought several battles
630, Muhammad controlled Mecca
What are the writings of Islam called?
Writings Muslims believe as direct revelations from God collected in Qur’an (or Koran), sacred test of Islam
Describe the Quran (Koran)
Allah’s teachings
Religious experience in rhythm, beauty of words
Full meaning known only in original Arabic language
Translations not true representation
The basic ideas of Islam were known as ___________
Five Pillars of Islam