Western Civilization
Outline #13
Professor Knight
The Rise of Islam
I. Islam: A Worthy Opponent for the West.
Role of Islam in the formation of the idea of the West
Concept of Christendom
II. The World of the Bedouin: The Arabian Peninsula
Southern Parts of Arabiafertile, semi-arid.
Frankincense and Myrrh
Northern and Central Arabiavast deserts.
Sheikstribal leaders with little real power.
Clanskinship groups led by patriarchs
Blood Feuds
Haramsneutral ground on holy sites
Quryash tribe: Leaders of vast trading network around time of Mohammad
III. The Prophet Mohammad (570-632)
Hijra (Journey) from Mecca to Medina622AD
Year 0 in Islamic system of dates
The KoranIslamic holy scripturedirect revelation from God
Mohammad conquers Mecca 629AD
Islam as political as well as spiritual entity
ShariatIslamic law
Polygamy (Moslem men allowed to have 4 wives, but all must be treated equally)
Death of Mohammed632 AD
IV. The Spread of Islam
The Umma (Community of Believers)
Caliphs
Vision of the Afterlife
Jihad (struggle)
Fall of Sassanid Empire (by 650AD)
Byzantium loses Egypt, Syria, Palestine and Mesopotamia
Constantinople threatened (Greek fire)
Divisions within Islam
Shiites and Sunnis
Moslem learning
Averroes
Baghdad House of Wisdom