HISTORY WESTERN CIVILIZATION

Islam

Mohammad (c. 570-632) • Last in a series of

prophets dating back to Abraham, trader by occupation

• Through a series of revelations, written down in the Q’uran

• Originally preached in Mecca, later moves to Medina

• By time of his death, united Arabic tribes under Islam

Islamic tenets

• Testimony – no god but Allah and Mohammad is his messenger

• Prayer – 5x/day • Fasting – no food or

drink during Ramadhan

• Alms giving • Pilgrimage or hajj

Caliphate and civil war (632-750)

• Problems arose w/death of Mohammad

• Eventually schism develops in Islamic world between Umayyad dynasty in Damascus who viewed Islam for Arabs only

• And the Abbasid caliphate

• Divide between Sunni, S’hia and Sufi

Law

• Sharia law covers all aspects of life including government and personal

• Like Christianity, Islamic law attempted to reconcile religious faith and practical application

Family Life

• Basic unit of Islamic life is family

• Father financially responsible for family

• Many interpretations re: wives, 4 not uncommon as long as husband can afford them