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==The Rise of Islam==

==The Rise of Islam==

There is only one major world religion that developed after Jesus Christ:  Islam.  But it has gained more adherents and conquered more countries in the past 1300 years than any other non-Christian religion.  The religion of Islam is one of the most important aspects of World History, and its importance is growing.

There is only one major world religion that developed after [[Jesus Christ]]:  Islam.  But it has gained more adherents and conquered more countries in the past 1300 years than any other non-Christian religion.  The religion of Islam is one of the most important aspects of World History, and its importance is growing.

Its founder was Muhammad (570-632 A.D.), a successful merchant in Mecca.  The word Islam means “submission to God.”  According to Islamic (Muslim) beliefs, Muhammad founded Islam based on revelations from the Angel Gabriel, whom many Christians recognize as having the same name as the angel who appeared to Mary, the mother of Jesus.  (The angel Gabriel is also mentioned in the Old Testament, such as in the Book of Daniel.)  In fact, Islam treats Mary, Jesus and the Old Testament prophets as very holy people, and Islam considers Abraham as their father just as the Jewish people do.  Muslims considered Christians and Jews “people of the book”, and allowed them special rights in the early days of Islam—times have obviously changed since then.

Its founder was [[Muhammad]] (570-632 A.D.), a successful merchant in [[Mecca]].  The word Islam means “submission to God.”  According to Islamic (Muslim) beliefs, Muhammad founded Islam based on revelations from the Angel Gabriel, whom many Christians recognize as having the same name as the angel who appeared to [[Mary the mother of Jesus|Mary]], the mother of Jesus.  (The angel Gabriel is also mentioned in the [[Old Testament]], such as in the [[Book of Daniel]].)  In fact, Islam treats Mary, Jesus and the Old Testament prophets as very holy people, and Islam considers [[Abraham]] as their father just as the [[Jewish]] people do.  Muslims considered Christians and Jews “people of the book”, and allowed them special rights in the early days of Islam—times have obviously changed since then.

Muhammad preached a new monotheistic religion based on only one god, Allah, at a time when Mecca was still polytheistic.  Located in Mecca was the “Ka’aba”, a temple which housed the “Black Stone,” an important religious relic of the Arabs’ polytheistic religion.  Businessmen in Mecca—who made a substantial profit off of the swarms of pilgrims who came to see the holy shrine—feared that they might lose customers from Muhammad’s preaching and they drove him out in A.D. 622 in what is known as the “hijra” or withdrawal.  Muhammad’s flight (to the town of Medina) marks the first year of the Islamic calendar.

Muhammad preached a new [[monotheistic]] religion based on only one god, Allah, at a time when Mecca was still [[polytheistic]].  Located in Mecca was the “Ka’aba”, a temple which housed the “Black Stone,” an important religious relic of the [[Arab]]s’ polytheistic religion.  Businessmen in Mecca—who made a substantial profit off of the swarms of [[pilgrims]] who came to see the holy shrine—feared that they might lose customers from Muhammad’s preaching and they drove him out in A.D. 622 in what is known as the “hijra” or withdrawal.  Muhammad’s flight (to the town of [[Medina]]) marks the first year of the Islamic calendar.

Muhammad formed a community of this new faith, called the “umma”, and they began to help the poor.  His teachings were recorded in the Qur’an or Koran, which is the bible of Islam.  Muhammad then returned to Mecca in A.D. 630 with his followers, and conquered it.  By 632, Islam controlled nearly all of Arabia.  It has quickly spread and expanded both in popularity and power ever since, at times growing faster than even Christianity.  Islam is most popular in the Middle East, Arabia, North Africa and Central Asia.  Pakistan is Muslim, while India is Hindu, causing those two countries to be in perpetual conflict with each other.  At one point Islam became popular in Spain, but that country was later retaken by Catholicism.

Muhammad formed a community of this new faith, called the “umma”, and they began to help the poor.  His teachings were recorded in the [[Qur’an]] or Koran, which is the bible of Islam.  Muhammad then returned to Mecca in A.D. 630 with his followers, and conquered it.  By 632, Islam controlled nearly all of [[Arabia]].  It has quickly spread and expanded both in popularity and power ever since, at times growing faster than even Christianity.  Islam is most popular in the Middle East, Arabia, North Africa and Central Asia.  [[Pakistan]] is Muslim, while [[India]] is [[Hindu]], causing those two countries to be in perpetual conflict with each other.  At one point Islam became popular in [[Spain]], but that country was later retaken by [[Catholicism]].

The tremendous growth of Islam is due to its “Five Pillars of Islam” and moral commands set forth in the Qur’an (Koran).  The Five Pillars of Islam are these:

The tremendous growth of Islam is due to its “Five Pillars of Islam” and moral commands set forth in the Qur’an (Koran).  The Five Pillars of Islam are these:

2.  Prayer to Allah five times a day while facing Mecca.  This is more than many Christians pray.

2.  Prayer to Allah five times a day while facing Mecca.  This is more than many Christians pray.

3.  Fasting for the entire month of Ramadan, whereby no food is eaten during daylight hours in that month.  Fasting strengthens the body and soul.

3.  Fasting for the entire month of [[Ramadan]], whereby no food is eaten during daylight hours in that month.  Fasting strengthens the body and soul.

4.  Almsgiving:  Muslims must donate to the poor.

4.  Almsgiving:  Muslims must donate to the poor.

5. The Hajj or pilgrimage at least once during a Muslim’s lifetime to Mecca, where Muhammad himself made a hajj from A.D. 629 to 632.

5. The [[Hajj]] or pilgrimage at least once during a Muslim’s lifetime to Mecca, where Muhammad himself made a hajj from A.D. 629 to 632.

Islam also has a social law known as the “shariah” to dictate how people should relate to each other.  The shariah can impose harsh punishments pursuant to the Qur’an for wrongful conduct.  Islam strictly prohibits alcohol, drugs, gambling, prostitution, homosexuality, pornography and other harmful activity.  Abortion is illegal under Islamic law.   

Islam also has a social law known as the “[[shariah]]” to dictate how people should relate to each other.  The shariah can impose harsh punishments pursuant to the Qur’an for wrongful conduct.  Islam strictly prohibits alcohol, drugs, [[gambling]], [[prostitution]], [[homosexuality]], [[pornography]] and other harmful activity.  [[Abortion]] is illegal under Islamic law.   

The shariah also requires women to wear veils to conceal their beauty in public—a practice known as “hijab”.  American women reporters in Iran today wear veils when appearing on television to provide us with live news.  Women are expected to obey their husbands, and under Islamic law are considered the property of their husbands and other male members of their household.  Men are allowed to take up to four wives in some Muslim countries.  In Islam’s earliest days (before the Shiites took power), women were not required to wear veils.  It was only after encounters with Persians and Byzantines—when the strict Shiites controlled the Islamic world—that women were required to veil themselves in public.   

The shariah also requires women to wear veils to conceal their beauty in public—a practice known as “[[hijab]]”.  American women reporters in [[Iran]] today wear veils when appearing on television to provide us with live news.  Women are expected to obey their husbands, and under Islamic law are considered the property of their husbands and other male members of their household.  Men are allowed to take up to four wives in some Muslim countries.  In Islam’s earliest days (before the [[Shiites]] took power), women were not required to wear veils.  It was only after encounters with [[Persians]] and [[Byzantines]]—when the strict Shiites controlled the Islamic world—that women were required to veil themselves in public.   

A recent newspaper article described how three-quarters of the 900 taxi drivers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport are Somalis, many of them Muslim.  As Muslims, they do not believe in allowing alcohol in their cab.  About three times each day, a Muslim cab driver refuses a customer because he notices that the customer is carrying alcohol.  “It is a religious issue,” said one Muslim cabdriver.  “I cannot force anybody to change their belief, but not in my cab.  I don’t want the guilt.  I just want to be an innocent person.”  A flight-attendant described how she mentioned to a cabdriver to be careful with her suitcase because it contained wine.  The driver then refused her service, and told other cabdrivers.  Four other cabdrivers then refused her service.  “What’s going to be next?” she said.  “Do I have to cover my head?”  But a Muslim cabdriver responded, “According to Muslim law, a Muslim driver cannot question a person's faith or beliefs,” he said. “It’s not a matter of the person, it’s what the person is carrying.”

A recent newspaper article described how three-quarters of the 900 taxi drivers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport are [[Somalis]], many of them Muslim.  As Muslims, they do not believe in allowing alcohol in their cab.  About three times each day, a Muslim cab driver refuses a customer because he notices that the customer is carrying alcohol.  “It is a religious issue,” said one Muslim cabdriver.  “I cannot force anybody to change their belief, but not in my cab.  I don’t want the guilt.  I just want to be an innocent person.”  A flight-attendant described how she mentioned to a cabdriver to be careful with her suitcase because it contained wine.  The driver then refused her service, and told other cabdrivers.  Four other cabdrivers then refused her service.  “What’s going to be next?” she said.  “Do I have to cover my head?”  But a Muslim cabdriver responded, “According to Muslim law, a Muslim driver cannot question a person's faith or beliefs,” he said. “It’s not a matter of the person, it’s what the person is carrying.”

   

   

The Islamic religion adheres to only the Arabic version of the Qur’an as the only authentic version, and translations are not accepted.  This caused the spread of the Arabic language throughout the Middle East and into Asia, and increased the influence of the new religion.  This also prevents any translators from changing the meaning of the Qur’an.

The Islamic religion adheres to only the Arabic version of the Qur’an as the only authentic version, and translations are not accepted.  This caused the spread of the Arabic language throughout the Middle East and into Asia, and increased the influence of the new religion.  This also prevents any translators from changing the meaning of the Qur’an.

Muhammad’s first successor or “caliph” was his friend Abu-Bakr.  He kept together the Islamic faith, but around A.D. 660 a schism occurred in Islam between the Sunnis, the largest group, and the Shiites (or Shi’ites or Shia).  They could not agree on who should be the successor to Muhammad, and the Shiites chose Ali, a son-in-law of Muhammad, as caliph.  The Sunnis—made up of the members of the Umayyad clan—triumphed in the first period of Islamic history.  During the reign of a Sunni king named Umar, Islam grew at an astounding rate.  At the Battle of Yarmuk, 40,000 Muslims defeated an army of 120,000 Byzantines.  In 750 A.D., the Abbasid clan—whose members supported the Shiite sect—defeated the Umayyads.  The rule of Abassid caliph “Harun al-Rashid” is known as the “Golden Age of Islam.”   

Muhammad’s first successor or “[[caliph]]” was his friend [[Abu-Bakr]].  He kept together the Islamic faith, but around A.D. 660 a schism occurred in Islam between the [[Sunnis]], the largest group, and the Shiites (or Shi’ites or Shia).  They could not agree on who should be the successor to Muhammad, and the Shiites chose [[Ali]], a son-in-law of Muhammad, as caliph.  The Sunnis—made up of the members of the Umayyad clan—triumphed in the first period of Islamic history.  During the reign of a Sunni king named [[Umar]], Islam grew at an astounding rate.  At the [[Battle of Yarmuk]], 40,000 Muslims defeated an army of 120,000 Byzantines.  In 750 A.D., the Abbasid clan—whose members supported the Shiite sect—defeated the Umayyads.  The rule of Abassid caliph “Harun al-Rashid” is known as the “Golden Age of Islam.”   

To this day, the Sunnis and Shiites clash with each other, with the Sunnis considered to be more moderate and friendlier to western countries like the United States and the Shiites viewed as more extreme and hostile to western countries.  The Sunnis are Arab and have ruled countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq, while the Shiites have majorities in Iraq and Iran.   

To this day, the Sunnis and Shiites clash with each other, with the Sunnis considered to be more moderate and friendlier to western countries like the United States and the Shiites viewed as more extreme and hostile to western countries.  The Sunnis are Arab and have ruled countries such as [[Saudi Arabia]] and [[Iraq]], while the Shiites have majorities in Iraq and Iran.   

The recent effort to form a democracy in Iraq has given the Shiites new power in one of the largest Muslim countries, causing concern by the Sunnis.  This Shiites have religious practices that include beating their chests, slashing their forwards and weeping.  The Sunnis are more reserved in their ceremonies.  Jordan’s King Abdullah II declared in December 2005 that he feared that Iran sought to create “a Shiite crescent” in the Middle East consisting of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.  Iran denied this.

The recent effort to form a [[democracy]] in Iraq has given the Shiites new power in one of the largest Muslim countries, causing concern by the Sunnis.  This Shiites have religious practices that include beating their chests, slashing their forwards and weeping.  The Sunnis are more reserved in their ceremonies.  [[Jordan]]’s King [[Abdullah II]] declared in December 2005 that he feared that Iran sought to create “a Shiite crescent” in the Middle East consisting of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.  Iran denied this.

Islam is more forceful than other major religions in obtaining conversion and discouraging other faiths.  Islam is hostile to missionary work by other faiths, such as Christianity.  Islamic countries may also favor the Islamic faith by not requiring a poll tax by Muslims but requiring practitioners of other religions to pay a tax.  Critics of Islam say that it encourages violence against “infidels” or non-believers.  Occasionally there are news reports of brutal killings of Christian girls or imprisonment and death sentences for Christian missionaries in Muslim countries.  In Afghanistan, a Muslim was sentenced to death for converting to Christianity.

Islam is more forceful than other major religions in obtaining conversion and discouraging other faiths.  Islam is hostile to missionary work by other faiths, such as Christianity.  Islamic countries may also favor the Islamic faith by not requiring a poll tax by Muslims but requiring practitioners of other religions to pay a tax.  Critics of Islam say that it encourages violence against “infidels” or non-believers.  Occasionally there are news reports of brutal killings of Christian girls or imprisonment and death sentences for Christian missionaries in Muslim countries.  In [[Afghanistan]], a Muslim was sentenced to death for converting to Christianity.

Muslim hostility and violence towards Jewish people is even worse.  Biblical scholars trace the conflict to the rival sons of Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac, as discussed in our Lecture One (see Mesopotamia section).  In 691 Sunni Muslims built the Dome of the Rock, a mosque in Jerusalem, on the same site where Jews believe God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, “Mount Moriah.”  It is probably the most controversial religious site in the world today.  Some extreme Muslim groups in the Middle East are determined to destroy Israel, and acts of terrorism to kill Jewish people are common there.  But while Muslim terrorist acts against defenseless Jewish civilians are common, there are almost never similar acts of terrorist by Jewish people against innocent Muslim civilians.

Muslim hostility and violence towards [[Jewish]] people is even worse.  Biblical scholars trace the conflict to the rival sons of Abraham, [[Ishmael]] and [[Isaac]], as discussed in our Lecture One (see Mesopotamia section).  In 691 Sunni Muslims built the [[Dome of the Rock]], a [[mosque]] in [[Jerusalem]], on the same site where Jews believe God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, “Mount Moriah.”  It is probably the most controversial religious site in the world today.  Some extreme Muslim groups in the Middle East are determined to destroy [[Israel]], and acts of terrorism to kill Jewish people are common there.  But while Muslim terrorist acts against defenseless Jewish civilians are common, there are almost never similar acts of terrorist by Jewish people against innocent Muslim civilians.

Perhaps the most controversial aspect of Islam is the “jihad”, which is defined in western dictionaries as any Muslim holy war against infidels.  But another meaning of a “jihad” in Islam is an internal spiritual struggle within each person for control over himself and his complete allegiance to Allah.  Muslim scholars describe jihad as being waged through the heart, the tongue, the hand, and the sword.  Through jihad, Muslims are guaranteed entrance into heaven.

Perhaps the most controversial aspect of Islam is the “[[jihad]]”, which is defined in western dictionaries as any Muslim holy war against infidels.  But another meaning of a “jihad” in Islam is an internal spiritual struggle within each person for control over himself and his complete allegiance to Allah.  Muslim scholars describe jihad as being waged through the heart, the tongue, the hand, and the sword.  Through jihad, Muslims are guaranteed entrance into heaven.

Islam came very close to conquering western Europe and forcibly converting Christians to Muslims in the A.D. 700s.  By then Spain was already under Muslim control by the Moors, and Muslim soldiers were advancing into Gaul (modern France).  For twenty years they defeated Christian armies until the Battle of Tours (France) in 732, where massive Muslim forces met a determined Christian opponent named Charles Martel (the “Hammer”), who led the Germanic peoples known as “Franks” to a decisive defeat of the Muslims.  Historians say that all of Europe might have become Muslim if not for this single victory.  In the course of this battle, the Muslim leader Emir Abd er Rahman was killed, and the Muslims retreated back to Spain.  Muslims today refer to this key battle as “The Court of Martyrs” in Arabic.

Islam came very close to conquering western Europe and forcibly converting Christians to Muslims in the A.D. 700s.  By then Spain was already under Muslim control by the [[Moors]], and Muslim soldiers were advancing into Gaul (modern [[France]]).  For twenty years they defeated Christian armies until the [[Battle of Tours]] (France) in 732, where massive Muslim forces met a determined Christian opponent named [[Charles Martel]] (the “Hammer”), who led the Germanic peoples known as “[[Franks]]” to a decisive defeat of the Muslims.  Historians say that all of Europe might have become Muslim if not for this single victory.  In the course of this battle, the Muslim leader [[Emir Abd er Rahman]] was killed, and the Muslims retreated back to Spain.  Muslims today refer to this key battle as “The Court of Martyrs” in Arabic.

The most famous Muslim in the western world has been Muhammad Ali, a champion boxer in the 1960s and 1970s who was the most-recognized athlete at that time.  He converted to Islam and then refused to be drafted for the Vietnam War because the Islamic faith did not consider it to be a “holy war.”  Judges rejected his claim and he was jailed, until the United States Supreme Court held that this view qualified Muhammad Ali for the “conscientious objector” exemption from the draft.  He was released from jail and then won back his boxing championship.

The most famous Muslim in the western world has been [[Muhammad Ali]], a champion boxer in the 1960s and 1970s who was the most-recognized athlete at that time.  He converted to Islam and then refused to be drafted for the [[Vietnam War]] because the Islamic faith did not consider it to be a “holy war.”  Judges rejected his claim and he was jailed, until the [[United States Supreme Court]] held that this view qualified Muhammad Ali for the “conscientious objector” exemption from the draft.  He was released from jail and then won back his boxing championship.

On Election Day in early November 2006, Keith Ellison is expected to become the first Muslim ever elected to the United States Congress.  He’s from Minnesota, where there is a strong Muslim neighborhood.  The Detroit, Michigan area has the largest settlement of Muslims in America.  In France the growing Muslim population is very influential and Christianity has greatly declined there.   

On Election Day in early November 2006, [[Keith Ellison]] is expected to become the first Muslim ever elected to the [[United States Congress]].  He’s from [[Minnesota]], where there is a strong Muslim neighborhood.  The [[Detroit]], Michigan area has the largest settlement of Muslims in America.  In France the growing Muslim population is very influential and Christianity has greatly declined there.   

===Contributions of Islam to Society===

===Contributions of Islam to Society===

Muslim countries helped facilitate trade between Asia and Europe.  Muslims also transmitted Indian mathematical discoveries to western Europe and Muslims established universities when much of western Europe was declining.  Islamic learning included the works of Ibn Sina (980-1037 A.D.) who wrote “Canon of the Medicine,” a book describing many infectious diseases and their causes, during the Golden Age of Islam.  Islamic architecture, as represented in mosques, is strikingly beautiful.  Islamic religion strictly prohibits artists from depicting the human form, which contributes to the distinguishing geometric characteristics of Muslim architecture.  Omar Khayyam lived in Persia, was tutored by a sheik, was probably Islamic, and was brilliant in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and especially literature, writing a famous collection of poems entitled the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.

Muslim countries helped facilitate trade between Asia and Europe.  Muslims also transmitted Indian mathematical discoveries to western Europe and Muslims established universities when much of western Europe was declining.  Islamic learning included the works of [[Ibn Sina]] (980-1037 A.D.) who wrote “Canon of the Medicine,” a book describing many infectious diseases and their causes, during the Golden Age of Islam.  Islamic architecture, as represented in mosques, is strikingly beautiful.  Islamic religion strictly prohibits artists from depicting the human form, which contributes to the distinguishing geometric characteristics of Muslim architecture.  [[Omar Khayyam]] lived in Persia, was tutored by a sheik, was probably Islamic, and was brilliant in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and especially literature, writing a famous collection of poems entitled the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.

Islamic values are typically more conservative on matters of morality than many countries that are traditionally Christian.  The Arabic language originally came from Hebrew and has spread with Islam to be the language of nearly 200 million persons today, and has given many words to the English language.  Examples include “algebra”, “cipher”, “coffee” and “sugar”.

Islamic values are typically more conservative on matters of morality than many countries that are traditionally Christian.  The Arabic language originally came from [[Hebrew]] and has spread with Islam to be the language of nearly 200 million persons today, and has given many words to the English language.  Examples include “[[algebra]]”, “cipher”, “coffee” and “sugar”.

==Russians, Slavs and Turks==

==Russians, Slavs and Turks==