Islam grapes
Geography
The arabic peninsula is very hot and dry, creating a lot of deserts. There were constant sandstorms and a small amount of farmland. The coast was the best place to live because of the water and farmland. The deserts are extremely hard to survive in, so humans had to adapt and survive. Men grew beards to block the sun and women wore long dresses to do the same. They always had to keep moving in caravans. Caravans are a group of travelers, they traveled this way to stay protected. They mostly traveled from oasis to oasis. A oasis is a wet, fertile area in a desert caused by aquifers underground moved by fault lines.
Religion
There are so many practices and concepts to learn about Islam. The Qur'an was their holy book and held the words of Allah (god) given to Muhammed. The Sunna described how Muhammed lived his life and was considered the proper way of living. People based their life off of the Qur'an and Sunna and the documents would later inspire the laws. Islam was monotheistic and was against icons. They were forbidden to eat pork and were not supposed to drink alcohol. They worshiped on Friday's at a mosque. A mosque was their place of worship. Mosque usually had tall ceilings with domes. Before entering the mosque you must take off your shoes. You must always pray towards Mecca. Islam is a religion of peace and children are taught respect at a very young age. Women must be covered from head to toe, only their hands and face may show. Believers must follow the 5 pillars. The 5 pillars are: 1. Shahada (Faith) - Muslims must show their faith by saying "there is no god but Allah" and "Muhammed is his prophet"; 2. Salat (Worship) - Muslims must pray 5 times each day, at the right time, facing Mecca; 3. Zakat (giving) - Muslims must give 2.5% of their valuables to the poor; 4. Sawm (fasting) - During Ramadan (holy month), Muslims may not eat or drink sunrise to sundown;5. Hajj (Pilgrimage) - Every Muslim that is able to go to Mecca, must go at least once. To be spiritually closer to Allah. When going to Mecca, people wear simple clothing to be equal.
The arabic peninsula is very hot and dry, creating a lot of deserts. There were constant sandstorms and a small amount of farmland. The coast was the best place to live because of the water and farmland. The deserts are extremely hard to survive in, so humans had to adapt and survive. Men grew beards to block the sun and women wore long dresses to do the same. They always had to keep moving in caravans. Caravans are a group of travelers, they traveled this way to stay protected. They mostly traveled from oasis to oasis. A oasis is a wet, fertile area in a desert caused by aquifers underground moved by fault lines.
Religion
There are so many practices and concepts to learn about Islam. The Qur'an was their holy book and held the words of Allah (god) given to Muhammed. The Sunna described how Muhammed lived his life and was considered the proper way of living. People based their life off of the Qur'an and Sunna and the documents would later inspire the laws. Islam was monotheistic and was against icons. They were forbidden to eat pork and were not supposed to drink alcohol. They worshiped on Friday's at a mosque. A mosque was their place of worship. Mosque usually had tall ceilings with domes. Before entering the mosque you must take off your shoes. You must always pray towards Mecca. Islam is a religion of peace and children are taught respect at a very young age. Women must be covered from head to toe, only their hands and face may show. Believers must follow the 5 pillars. The 5 pillars are: 1. Shahada (Faith) - Muslims must show their faith by saying "there is no god but Allah" and "Muhammed is his prophet"; 2. Salat (Worship) - Muslims must pray 5 times each day, at the right time, facing Mecca; 3. Zakat (giving) - Muslims must give 2.5% of their valuables to the poor; 4. Sawm (fasting) - During Ramadan (holy month), Muslims may not eat or drink sunrise to sundown;5. Hajj (Pilgrimage) - Every Muslim that is able to go to Mecca, must go at least once. To be spiritually closer to Allah. When going to Mecca, people wear simple clothing to be equal.
Achievements
Muslims made a lot of contributions, but here are just a few. The first hospital was found in Damascus. It was designed to promote health, cure disease, and teach medical knowledge. Not only that but they had knowledge of herbal medicines. Algebra was also found here. Algebra comes from the word "al jabr". Mathematicians would spend hours trying to stump each other. They were big on astronomy and relied on it for time. Astronomy is the scientific study of the skies. Before astronomy a lot of people relied on belief. Muslims were very good at book-making. They learned these skills from the Chinese. As a result books were more available. Muslims were also very good at zoology. Zoology is the study of animals. Lots of scholars studied it. The picture below is a astrolabe.
Muslims made a lot of contributions, but here are just a few. The first hospital was found in Damascus. It was designed to promote health, cure disease, and teach medical knowledge. Not only that but they had knowledge of herbal medicines. Algebra was also found here. Algebra comes from the word "al jabr". Mathematicians would spend hours trying to stump each other. They were big on astronomy and relied on it for time. Astronomy is the scientific study of the skies. Before astronomy a lot of people relied on belief. Muslims were very good at book-making. They learned these skills from the Chinese. As a result books were more available. Muslims were also very good at zoology. Zoology is the study of animals. Lots of scholars studied it. The picture below is a astrolabe.
Politics
After Muhammad's death in 632 AD, conflict started. They were about who should be the next Caliph or successor to Muhammed (messenger of god). The first 4 Caliphs quadrupled the size of the Islamic Empire in just 30 Years. They all had 2 things in common: they all had personal connection to Muhammad and all lived simple and fair life's. The first Caliph is Abu Bakr. He was Muhammad's father-in-law, he was a merchant(632-634 AD). The second Caliph is Umar. He was Muhammad's friend, he was also a merchant (634-644 AD). The third Caliph was Utahman. He was Muhammad's son-in-law, he was also a merchant (644-656 AD). The forth Caliph was Ali. He was Muhammad's first cousin/son-in-law, he was a solider/writer (656-661 AD). Although the Islamic Empire was peaceful, there was a group of rebels that opposed the 4 Caliphs and led to civil war. After the civil war a family known as the Umayyads took control. After the control of the Umayyads 2 groups were created. They were known as the Sunnis and the Shittes. Sunnis were 90% of all muslims. They accepted the Umayyads. They believed that Muslim leaders should be elected and every person could have a direct relationship with Allah. The Shittes were 10% of all muslims and believed only descendants of Muhammad should be Caliphs. Which means they denied the Umayyad's. They also rejected the first 3 Caliphs. The picture below is Abu Bakr
After Muhammad's death in 632 AD, conflict started. They were about who should be the next Caliph or successor to Muhammed (messenger of god). The first 4 Caliphs quadrupled the size of the Islamic Empire in just 30 Years. They all had 2 things in common: they all had personal connection to Muhammad and all lived simple and fair life's. The first Caliph is Abu Bakr. He was Muhammad's father-in-law, he was a merchant(632-634 AD). The second Caliph is Umar. He was Muhammad's friend, he was also a merchant (634-644 AD). The third Caliph was Utahman. He was Muhammad's son-in-law, he was also a merchant (644-656 AD). The forth Caliph was Ali. He was Muhammad's first cousin/son-in-law, he was a solider/writer (656-661 AD). Although the Islamic Empire was peaceful, there was a group of rebels that opposed the 4 Caliphs and led to civil war. After the civil war a family known as the Umayyads took control. After the control of the Umayyads 2 groups were created. They were known as the Sunnis and the Shittes. Sunnis were 90% of all muslims. They accepted the Umayyads. They believed that Muslim leaders should be elected and every person could have a direct relationship with Allah. The Shittes were 10% of all muslims and believed only descendants of Muhammad should be Caliphs. Which means they denied the Umayyad's. They also rejected the first 3 Caliphs. The picture below is Abu Bakr
Economy
The reason why economy prospered is because of trade. Most of the trading was around the Kaaba. Most of the trading was around the Kaaba, because of the peace. Beduin tribes that entered had to put their weapons away. Making it a calm place. Another reason why trade boosted the economy,is that its right in the middle of Asia and Europe making it a popular trade spot. Not only that but all trade routes lead to Mecca. A lot of people traded spices, perfumes, metal, ivory, silk, and a lot more. The picture below is the trade routes.
The reason why economy prospered is because of trade. Most of the trading was around the Kaaba. Most of the trading was around the Kaaba, because of the peace. Beduin tribes that entered had to put their weapons away. Making it a calm place. Another reason why trade boosted the economy,is that its right in the middle of Asia and Europe making it a popular trade spot. Not only that but all trade routes lead to Mecca. A lot of people traded spices, perfumes, metal, ivory, silk, and a lot more. The picture below is the trade routes.
Social Structure
Before Muhammad most arabians were polytheistic. Meaning they believed in many gods. They did not have many morals unlike Islam. Muhammad was born in 570 and was an orphan raised by his uncle. When he grew up he believed wealthy town owners should honor families and help the poor. This would later turn into one of the 5 pillars (Zakat). In 610 he want to Mt.Hira and was visited by Angel Gabriel who told him to preach Islam. Muhammad then returned to Mecca to spread the word. He said people are equal and the rich should share the wealth. He also said wealth was not important as having a good life. He warned them that on judgement day God would reward the good people and punish the bad. The poor loved this idea, but the rich hated it. Eventually that drove Muhammad and his followers to flee to Medina. This journey was known as the Hijra. At Medina he was welcomed and was named a holy city of Islam. The picture below is a picture of Medina and Mecca
Before Muhammad most arabians were polytheistic. Meaning they believed in many gods. They did not have many morals unlike Islam. Muhammad was born in 570 and was an orphan raised by his uncle. When he grew up he believed wealthy town owners should honor families and help the poor. This would later turn into one of the 5 pillars (Zakat). In 610 he want to Mt.Hira and was visited by Angel Gabriel who told him to preach Islam. Muhammad then returned to Mecca to spread the word. He said people are equal and the rich should share the wealth. He also said wealth was not important as having a good life. He warned them that on judgement day God would reward the good people and punish the bad. The poor loved this idea, but the rich hated it. Eventually that drove Muhammad and his followers to flee to Medina. This journey was known as the Hijra. At Medina he was welcomed and was named a holy city of Islam. The picture below is a picture of Medina and Mecca