1. Warm-Up
C2
If YOU were there …
You are a farmer living in a village on the coast of India.
For centuries, your people have raised cotton and spun
its fibers into a soft fabric. One day, a ship arrives in the
harbor carrying Muslim traders from far away. They bring
interesting goods you have never seen before. They also
bring new ideas.
What IDEAS might you learn from the traders?

2. Religion
Origin of Islam
Where did Islam begin?
Who began the religion of Islam?
• Location: Arabian Peninsula
(in the city of Mecca),
south of Mesopotamia
deep in the desert.
• Founder: Mohammed

4. Religion
Beliefs of Islam
How does Islam believe Allah speaks to
humanity?
Who is the greatest and final prophet?
• Islam believes that God
(Allah) speaks through
prophets.
• Islam recognizes many of
the prophets of Judaism
and Christianity; including
Jesus.
• Islam believes Mohammed
is the greatest and final
prophet of God (Allah).

5. Religion
Beliefs of Islam
Where can the beliefs of Islam be
found?
Is Islam monotheistic or polytheistic?
What is a major belief about God
(Allah) in Islam?
• Islam’s beliefs were written
down by Mohammed in
their most sacred book
called the Qur’an.
• One of the most important
beliefs of Islam is that there
is only one God (Allah);
monotheism.
• Islam believes that God
(Allah) is just and rewards
man according to his deeds.

6. Religion
Beliefs of Islam
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
1. Faith: only one God, and his prophet
is Mohammed
2. Prayer: Pray five times a day facing
Mecca (holiest city)
3. Alms: pay the zakat (a 2.5% charity
tax) and other donations to the needy
4. Fasting: During the month of
Ramadan (the month when
Mohammed wrote down the Qur’an).
5. Hajj: make a pilgrimage to Mecca at
least once if economically and
physically possible.

7. Religion
Diffusion of Islam
Where did the Islamic Empire spread
to?
• Islam spread quickly within a
100 years of Mohammed’s
death.
• Muslims conquered the
whole Arabian Peninsula, the
Middle East, Persia, northern
Africa, and Spain.
• This created a massive
Islamic Empire that made
Islam the official religion of
the region.

9. Religion
Diffusion of Islam
Who ruled the Islamic Empire?
What is the difference between Sunni
and Shiite Muslims?
• After the death of
Mohammed, a Caliph ruled
the Islamic Empire.
• Sunni Muslims believe the
Caliph can be any good
Muslim man.
• Shiite Muslims believe the
Caliph must be a descendent
of Mohammed.

10. Religion
Diffusion of Islam
Where did Islam spread peacefully?
How?
How did Islam spread into Eastern
Europe?
• Islam spread peacefully to
West Africa, India, and
Southeast Asia through
trade.
• Islam would also spread into
Eastern Europe by
destroying the Byzantine
Empire.

11. Choose 6 of the 10
1. Where did Islam begin?
2. Who began the religion of Islam and is believed to be the greatest
prophet?
3. Where can Islamic beliefs be found?
4. Is Islam monotheistic or polytheistic?
5. Name all five pillars of Islam.
6. Where and how did the beliefs of Islam spread within the first 100
years after the prophet’s death?
7. Who ruled the Islamic Empire?
8. What is the difference between Sunni and Shiite Muslims?
9. Where did Islam spread peacefully? How?
10. How did Islam spread into Eastern Europe?