11/5/12 ugh.

[4th LizzK]

• Geography
  • very limited agriculture.
  • Very hot and dry deserts
• People of the Desert
  
  • In the deserts, the Arab nomads called Bedouins were organized into clans.
  • These clans were created because they provided security and support of a life made difficult by the extreme conditions of the desert
  • Bedouins ideals: courage, loyalty to family, and warrior skills.
• Moving
  
  • By the time of 600 A.D., many Arabs had chosen to settle by an oasis or in a market town, because the desert life was just too tough and unpredictable.
  • Larger towns near the western coast of Arabia became market towns or local, regional, and long-distance trade goods.
• Special City
  
  • One of these cities was Mecca.
  • Mecca is a holy city where Muslims pray towards.
  • Also, it is very common for Muslims to go visit Mecca to pay homage.
• Trade Life.
  
  • After these people had moved into the larger cities, the trading increased as well.
  • Many routes stood where they were because of the bodies of water that surrounded the area.
  • They traded many things, such as spices, incense, perfumes, precious metals, ivory, and silk.
• Monotheistic or Polytheistic
  
  • The Islamic religion is definitely monotheistic, because they believe in one god called Allah.
• Muhammad
  
  • The prophet Muhammad was a very influential figure.
  • He was raised by his grandfather and uncle, as he was left by his parents at a young age.
  • He recieved little schooling and began working on as a trader, getting his own caravan.
  • AT the age of 40, Muhammad became very interested in religion-- having heard the voice of Allah telling him that he needed to do this.
    
    • Muhammad went to Mecca, tried converting the polytheistic Arabs and failed.
    • He was kicked out and sent away, where he gathered soldiers and came back to Mecca.
    • At Mecca, he fought them, won, and destroyed the polytheistic statues, successfully converting those losers into Islamic peoples.
• General Information
  
  • Islam means "submission to the will of Allah."
  • Muslim means "one who has submitted."
• Research
  
  • Five Pillars of Islam
  • Sources of Authority (Holy Book)
  • Connect Islam to other religions
  • 3 paragraphs in total
  • Include these terms: Mosque, Hajj, Qur'an