Makkah trade center

Makkah was an important trading center and religious center. Merchant caravans from Asia, Africa, and Europe passed through, and one important clan gained power in Makkah. They didnt help poorer clans. Makkah was home to the Kaba, a polytheistic shrine where nomads paid to store their idols. The shrine dated back to Abraham. Many came to worship there. Arabia had no central government; the only thing linking all Arabs was their common culture (way of life), including language and poetry. Tribes often fought over valuable resources. Family loyalty was very important. Muhammad was born into the Hashim clan around 570 C.E. He was an orphan by age six. He was raised by his grandfather and uncle, both clan leaders. He became a trader, traveling as far north as Syria, meeting people of different cultures and faiths, including Judaism and Christianity. He developed a reputation as a very honest man, and he was called the trusted one. He eventually married a woman for whom he worked, Khadijah. Around the age of 40, Muhammad had his first revelation from the angel Gabriel in a cave on Mt. Hira. He was told he was the messenger. Khadija became the first convert to Islam. Muhammad spread the word to close friends and family, who became the first Muslims (means those who surrender to God). Muhammad memorized Gods messages to him, as did his followers. Later, after his death, they wrote them down and this became the Quran. Muhammad began preaching about social and economic equlity and urged people to care for orphans, widows, and the poor. Makkan leaders feared his message and tried to stop him, and some did not want to give up their polytheistic gods. Muhammad was protected by his clan until his uncle died. Around that time, he reported his famous Night Journey to heaven where he met God and prophets.

Kaba polytheism idols no government cultural ties tribal battles

570 C.E. orphan trader

revelation angel Gabriel Islam Muslim Quran

equality Night Journey

Muhammad was born in Makkah, an important religious center and trading center. Muhammad received Gods messages and began preaching the faith of Islam, based on monotheism.

Yathrib/Madinah 622-Hijrah

Muhammad was invited to Yathrib, a city to the north, to help end tribal feuding. In 622 C.E., Muhammad fled for his life to Yathrib. This journey is known as the hijrah and became the first year in the Muslim calendar. Yathrib was renamed Madinah, which means city of the Prophet. The Muslim community grew there. Muhammad preached respect for Jews and Christians as people of the book because they believed in the same God, though in the Muslim view, these monotheistic religions hadnt quite gotten Gods message right. The Makkans and Muslims fought; Muhammad eventually conquered Makkah in 630, but he did not take revenge, and most Makkans converted to Islam. He did destroy the idols in the Kaba and rededicated this shrine to God. Islam quickly spread across the Arabian Peninsula. Muhammad died in 632. Abu Bakr was picked as the next Muslim leader, or caliph. He completed the unification of Arabia under Muslim rule. When he died, Umar became caliph. He expanded the Muslim empire, bringing new land and wealth as well as spreding Islam. Umar let Jews and Christians worship freely, and other lands were allowed to worship freely in return for a tax. Uthman selected an official version of the Quran. He gave jobs to relatives and was eventually killed. Muhammads son-in-law, Ali, was the fourth caliph. Some Umayyads challenged his rule, and Ali was murdered in 661. He was follwed by Muawiyah and nearly 100 years of Umayyad rule. The Umayyad challenge led to a split in Islam. Sunnis believe the caliph should be elected; Shias believe the ruler must come from Muhammad and Alis descendants. The split continues today.

people of the book

630 C.E.

Abu Bakr caliph Umar

Uthman

Ali Muawiyah Umayyad dynasty Sunni Shia (Shiite)

Muhammad fled to Yathrib (Madinah) and eventually reconquered Makkah. Muhammad was followed by four caliphs known, in the Sunni view, as the rightly guided caliphs. Shias, however, believe only Muhammads descendants can be caliph.