World+of+Islam

**600A.D.-1500A.D.** By: Austin & Cole


 * "Ask questions of the learned, speak with the wise, and associate with the poor." **
 * Muhammad (570 - 632) **

The country of modern day Saudi Arabia is where the religion of Islam all began. The Arabian Peninsula is the largest peninsula in the world at 1 million sq. miles. There are two different regions; the Southwestern Area, and the Desert Land. The Southwest Area is a well-watered area and has lots of mountains. And the Desert Land is a vast deserted and dry land with the occasional water source known as an oasis. The people that live in this part of the world are called Arabs, who are semetic-speaking people. There is also a group called the Bedoins, who are Arab nomads that herd sheep, goats, and camels.

One of the most important people of this time is Muhammad. He was born in Mecca in 570 AD and is the founder of Islam. According to the Muslim faith he saw a revelation in a cave and was met by an angel named Gabriel who told him about this new religion. Muhammad's words spread rapidly across Arabia and then to other countries around them. To Muslims, Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah, with Allah meaning god in Arabic. Muhammad made a famous journey to Medina having fled from Mecca called the Hegira, or "Great Flight", in 622 AD which was the first year of the Muslim calendar. When Muhammad returned to Mecca he came with an army of 10,000 people and took over the city. Muhammad died in 632 AD.

Islam stands for "Submission to the will of Allah". The rules of this religion are called the 5 Pillars of Islam, which is basically like the Ten Ccmmandments for Islam. Some of their rules that they have to live by is that they must pray five times a day and have to be facing Mecca. Another rule is that they must give alms to the needy and make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in their lifetime. Muslims recite the Quran, the holy book of Islam, which are the words of Allah. There are a few strict guidelines Muslims must live by and that is they cannot gamble, eat pork, or drink alcoholic beverages. They are also not allowed to have more than 4 wives.




 * __Five Important Islamic World People:__**
 * 1) **__Muhammad-__** Muhammad was born at 570AD. He was the founder of Islam, a monotheistic faith. He was considered the last chance for people to change their ways and he had a Revelation from Gabriel who told him of Allah.
 * 2) **__Vlad the Impaler-__** Vlad was the Southern Transylvania Prince (Romania). He was thought to be Dracula, or son of the Devil. He was responsible for the stop of Islam through Eastern Europe.
 * 3) **__Abu Bakr-__** Bakr was Muhammad's father-in-law. He was pronounced the first Caliph, or successor to the Prophet. He used the Koran as the basis for ruling the empire.
 * 4) __**Abu al-Abbas-**__ Al-Abbas was the creator of the Abbasid Dynasty. He overthrew the Umayyads to get power. He changed the capital city to Baghdad, or City of Peace.
 * 5) __**Mu' awiyah-**__ Mu' awiyah set up the Umayyad Dynasty. The Dynasty lasted from 661AD-750AD. He then moved the capital to Damacus, which now is modern day Syria.

__** 5 Islam Terms: **__ media type="custom" key="11370684"
 * 1) **Hajj:** Pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims are encouraged to make. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and you only have to go once to fulfill.
 * 2) **Quran:** The holy book of the religion of Islam. The word of Allah is revealed by Muhammad in this book. Koran is Arabic for Recital.
 * 3) **Islam:** Means "peace through submission to the will of Allah; It's the religion of Muslims. It is a religion created by Muhammad.
 * 4) **Hijrah:** The journey of Muhammad and his followers to Medina. This event took place in 622 AD which is the first year of the Islamic calendar.
 * 5) **Sheikh:** Ruler of the tribe; He was chosen from one of the leading families by a council of elders. The orginal was the cheif of a Bedouin Tribe.

Islamic culture This is a great site that has lots of information on Islamic culture. Islamic art This site has lots of artwork from ancient Islam and also some information on how it was made. Islamic holidays Here is some great information on all of the holidays Muslim people celebrate. Including Ramadan, Laylat al-Qadr, and Eid al-Fitr. Islamic architecture This link has all you need to know about Islamic architecture. It has info on architecture from the middle east, North Africa, and the Fertile Crescent. Islamic alphabet In this link there are tons of neat stuff on the Arabic language and how they write it.

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__World of Islam Timeline.__

 * 570AD-** Muhammad was born.
 * 610AD-** Muhammad had a Revelation(vision) with Gabriel.
 * 622AD-** Muhammad's flight to Medina. First year of Muslim Calendar.
 * 632AD-** Muhammad dies.
 * 661AD-** Umayyad Dynasty begins. Mu' awiyah becomes the new Caliph.
 * 700AD-** The Islamic Golden Age starts.
 * 732AD-** Muslims fight Charles Martel at the Battle of Tours.
 * 750AD-** The Abbasid Dynasty starts.
 * 1096AD-** The Crusades began between the Christians and the Muslims.
 * 1258AD-** The Mongol Golden Horde destoyed Baghdad.