Chapter 12 Section 1
Roots of Islam

Interactive / Notes
  1. Life in a Desert Land – The Arabian Peninsula or Arabia’s location, physical features and climate have shaped life in the region
1. Oasis – a wet, fertile area in a desert
2. Two Ways of Life
a. Nomads – people moved
b. Sedentary – stayed near water (towns)
-Caravan – group of traders that traveled together
B. New Religion
1. Muhammad brought a new religion to
the area
a. Born in city of Mecca
b. A caravan trader
- Islam “submit to God” – the messages
Muhammad believed he received formed the
religion
- Muslim – followers of Islam
- Qur’an –Holy book of Islam with messages
Muhammad received from God
c. Muhammad taught to believe in only one God
d. Pilgrimage– people traveled to Mecca to a holy/sacred
shrine called Kaaba
e. Mosque – building for Muslim prayer

Chapter 12.2

Islamic Beliefs and Practices

Big Idea: Sacred text called the Qur’an and the Sunnah guide the Muslims in the religion, daily life, and laws.

Interactive / Notes
A. Qur’an – book of Muhammad’s teachings
1. Beliefs – obey one God-Allah, if you obey
Allah in the end you will go to paradise
2. Guideline for Behavior in everyday life
-Jihad – to make an effort or struggle
B. The Sunnah – refers to the way Muhammad lived, which provides a model for the duties and the way of life expected of Muslims.
*Sunnah is based on the Hadith (written record of Muhammad’s
words and actions)
1. The Five Pillars of Islam – acts of worship required of all
Muslims
a. Praying – 5 times a day
b. Charity – giving to the poor and needy
c. Fasting – not easting during Ramadan
d. Pilgrimage - at least once in their life-time to Mecca
e. Belief – One God/Allah and his prophet is Muhammad
  1. The Qur’an and the Sunnah form the basis for Islamic law

Chapter 12 Section 3 Islamic Empires

The Big Idea

After the early spread of Islam, three large Islamic empires formed --- the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal.

Interactive / Notes
  1. Arab-Muslim Armies Conquer Many Lands
  1. Abu Bakr became the leader after Muhammad’s death
  1. Caliph (successor)– Title Muslims use or the highest leader of Islam
  1. Beginnings of an Empire –Bakr unified Muslim states
  1. Non-Muslims in conquered lands had little rights
  2. Jews and Christians were not forced to convert to Islam, but were 2nd class citizens who paid taxes
  3. Growth of the Empire – Umayyads moved the capital to Damascus, Syria
-Took lands in Asia, Northern Africa, Spain, and parts of France
-The Berbers people of Northern Africa, tried to resist the Arabs, but converted to Islam after many years of fighting
  1. Trade Helps Islam Spread - new goods and ideas
-Chinese- how to make paper and gunpowder
-India – cotton, rice, and oranges
-Africa – ivory, cloves, and slave
  1. Three Non Arab-Muslim Empires after 1100s
  1. The Ottoman Empire
  1. Janissaries – young Christian boys from conquered town who converted to Islam and became warriors
  2. Mehmed II made Istanbul the capital and made it the center of culture
  1. Safavid Empire – Persian Muslims fought with the Ottoman’s and split the Empire into two groups
a. *Shia – Muslims who thought that only
Muhammad’s descendants could become caliphs
b. *Sunni –who didn’t think caliphs had to be
related to Muhammad
c. Shah or king Persian title used by Safavid leader
3. The Mughal Empire – located in region of India
a. Emperor Akbar’s tolerance (acceptance)
allowed Muslims and Hindus to live in peace
b. Emperor Shah Jahan - Taj Mahal a tomb for wife 1600’s

Chapter 12 Section 4

Cultural Achievements

Big Idea:

Muslim scholars and artists made important contributions to science, art, and literature.

Interactive / Notes
  1. Science and Philosophy – Muslim scholars made lasting contributions to the fields of science and philosophy
  1. Geography – Ibn Battutahtraveled to Africa, India, China, and Spain and made a more accurate map for calculating distances.
  2. Medicine – Avicenna wrote the medical encyclopedia
  3. Philosophy – Sufism –focused on spiritual issues
  1. Literature and the Arts –helped spread Islamic religion
  1. Literature – Omar Khayyam – sufi poet
  2. Architecture – Patrons –sponsors or people who gave money for the arts
-Minaret –a narrow tower from where Muslims are called to prayer with a bell in it
3. Calligraphy –decorative writing