Islam: cultural and historical context Flashcards
1
Q
where did Islam originate from?
A
- begain in 7th century CE Saudi Arabia
- Arabian Peninsula: minimal vegetaition (desert) = agriculture limited
developped in central Arabia
2
Q
Why was Mecca significant?
A
- founded on trade routes between Indian Ocean, Syria, Egypt
- ‘sacred city’
- location of the ka’bah
3
Q
Why was Medina significant?
A
- second holiest city in Islam
- Muhammad fled here to avoid persecution
-means ‘City of the Prophet’
4
Q
What was the Bedouin Culture?
A
- prinicipal inheritants of the holy land
-tribes were mainly semi nomadic shepherds, merchnats and artisans - Islam began with them
5
Q
how were women considerd in this time?
A
- inferior to Bedouin tribes - not serve as soldiers
- property in trade, men could have multiple wives, were only respected in some statuses
6
Q
who contolled mecca/most powerful tribe?
A
Quraysh
- Most powerful tribe:controlled economy economy.
- Profited from pilgrims visiting the Ka’bah.
- Disliked by other tribes for exploiting pilgrims + their societal control.
7
Q
what were the religious practices?
A
- generally polytheistic: - worshiped goddesses, gods, and spirits (good and evil) e.g al-Lat, al-Uzza, and Manat (daughters of the supreme God al-Lah).
-small cults + human/animal sacrifices - pilgramage to mecca : purchase idols from merchants
Ka’bah: central+ most important shrine. - Believed to be originally erected by Abraham.
- Each of the 360 Arab tribes had a tribal god represented within the Ka’bah.
8
Q
what was social conditions at the time?
A
tribal systems - nomadic (travels from place to place)
- Focused on trade
- patriarchical (women)
