Unit 2 - Ancient Middle East. Judaism and the Rise of Islam: Chapter 3 (Section 4), Chapter 10
Unit 2: Essential Questions
1. In what ways are the teachings of Islam similar to those of Judaism?
The textbook discusses Islam and Judaism in various sections, and you should definitely look at these when completing this essential question. Judaism as a religion is described in the textbook on pp. 77 – 83. Islam is discussed in detail on pp. 267 – 268 and a brief comparison is made between Islam and Judaism in this section.
You could also look at the following websites and make some notes regarding the differences between the two religions:
Use the following as a guideline to write your answer:
The textbook discusses Islam and Judaism in various sections, and you should definitely look at these when completing this essential question. Judaism as a religion is described in the textbook on pp. 77 – 83. Islam is discussed in detail on pp. 267 – 268 and a brief comparison is made between Islam and Judaism in this section.
You could also look at the following websites and make some notes regarding the differences between the two religions:
- http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/themes/religion/index.html?pagewanted=all
- http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/comparison_charts/islam_judaism_christianity.htm
- http://religions.findthebest.com/compare/2-31/Judaism-vs-Islam-General
- http://www.judaism-islam.com/similarities-between-judaism-and-islam/
- http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Judaism-Islam-Similarities/Ten-Surprising-Similarities-Between-Judaism-and-Islam.aspx
Use the following as a guideline to write your answer:
- ORIGINS: Briefly discuss the origins of the two religions – when and where did they start out, and how are they similar and different? Who were the great prophets in each religion?
- CORE BELIEFS: What are the core beliefs of each religion? Who do they worship and how? What do the two groups belief about Jesus as the Messiah or Son of God?
- RELIGIOUS PRACTICES: Compare some of the main religious practices such as prayer, holy books, holy days, religious leaders, places of worship, dress, etc.
- RITES AND RITUALS: Each religion has ways that certain events are celebrated, e.g. weddings, baptisms, coming of age, major holiday, etc. and they have certain rules that they follow, e.g. dietary rules. List some of the main rites and rituals.
- DENOMINATIONS WITHIN RELIGION: Within both religions, there are major denominations or splits – what are these?
2. How did early Judaism differ from other religions (e.g. that practiced in Mesopotamia or Egypt ) of the time?
Judaism can be described by the the term ethical monotheism, indicating that the religion is based on ethical standards and that the Jewish people worship only one god – Jahweh. Judaism as a religion is described in the textbook on pp. 77 – 83, and reading through this section will help you understand the origins of the religion and the moral laws on which it is based, and how it differed from other (polytheistic) religions practiced at the time in places such as Egypt and Mesopotamia. This Powerpoint Presentation may be helpful.
Judaism can be described by the the term ethical monotheism, indicating that the religion is based on ethical standards and that the Jewish people worship only one god – Jahweh. Judaism as a religion is described in the textbook on pp. 77 – 83, and reading through this section will help you understand the origins of the religion and the moral laws on which it is based, and how it differed from other (polytheistic) religions practiced at the time in places such as Egypt and Mesopotamia. This Powerpoint Presentation may be helpful.
3. Describe the rise and expansion of Islam including the spread of Arabic culture.
Although not a unified as a group, the cultures of the Arabian Peninsula had been in contact with one another for many centuries. Some lived in the deserts, others established farming communities and/or market towns in areas where water was available, and many of them traded with one another as well as with other surrounding communities. Like the many Jews and Christians who lived in the area, many of the Arabs believed in one God, i.e. the God of Abraham. Others worshiped a variety of other gods and spirits from other religions, and it was into this mix of religions that the prophet Mohammad was born in the holy city of Mecca around 570 A.D. He was a deeply devout man, and would often pray and meditate. At the age of forty he received several revelations which led him to believe that God had spoken to him through the archangel, Gabriel, and that he was the last of the prophets. He preached that Allah was the one, true God, and that all other gods have to be abandoned. Those who accepted his revolutionary ideas became Muslims- meaning those who submit to God. Many began to follow him, and his teachings became widely accepted, uniting the Arab speaking people across the area. You can read about Muhammad's life, the revelations he received through the angel Gabriel at the age of forty, and how it united the Arab people on pp. 264 -265.
After Muhammad's death, the Muslim culture continued to conquer other areas beyond the Arabian Peninsula, spreading Islam and the Arabian culture even further. The spread of the Arabic culture is discussed fully on pp. 269 – 272, but in short, Mohammad was followed by four elected leaders who each contributed to the expansion of Islam by invoking jihad (armed struggle against unbelievers) so that by 750 A.D. The Muslim empire stretched for 6,000 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indus River. In spite of internal strife and discord, the influence of Islam continued to spread while expanding trade across three continents, and included the use of the Silk Roads as well as trade across the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean.
Muhammad and the Faith of Islam provides additional information on this topic.
Although not a unified as a group, the cultures of the Arabian Peninsula had been in contact with one another for many centuries. Some lived in the deserts, others established farming communities and/or market towns in areas where water was available, and many of them traded with one another as well as with other surrounding communities. Like the many Jews and Christians who lived in the area, many of the Arabs believed in one God, i.e. the God of Abraham. Others worshiped a variety of other gods and spirits from other religions, and it was into this mix of religions that the prophet Mohammad was born in the holy city of Mecca around 570 A.D. He was a deeply devout man, and would often pray and meditate. At the age of forty he received several revelations which led him to believe that God had spoken to him through the archangel, Gabriel, and that he was the last of the prophets. He preached that Allah was the one, true God, and that all other gods have to be abandoned. Those who accepted his revolutionary ideas became Muslims- meaning those who submit to God. Many began to follow him, and his teachings became widely accepted, uniting the Arab speaking people across the area. You can read about Muhammad's life, the revelations he received through the angel Gabriel at the age of forty, and how it united the Arab people on pp. 264 -265.
After Muhammad's death, the Muslim culture continued to conquer other areas beyond the Arabian Peninsula, spreading Islam and the Arabian culture even further. The spread of the Arabic culture is discussed fully on pp. 269 – 272, but in short, Mohammad was followed by four elected leaders who each contributed to the expansion of Islam by invoking jihad (armed struggle against unbelievers) so that by 750 A.D. The Muslim empire stretched for 6,000 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indus River. In spite of internal strife and discord, the influence of Islam continued to spread while expanding trade across three continents, and included the use of the Silk Roads as well as trade across the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean.
Muhammad and the Faith of Islam provides additional information on this topic.
4. Describe some of the Muslim contributions in medicine, mathematics, science, astronomy and the arts.
The Muslims combined and preserved many of the traditions they had come across, as well as advance learning in many areas. In fact, many of the ideas and concepts developed by them became the basis of scientific and academic sciences of today. You can read about the Muslim contributions in medicine, mathematics, science, astronomy and arts on pp. 274 – 279.
The Muslims combined and preserved many of the traditions they had come across, as well as advance learning in many areas. In fact, many of the ideas and concepts developed by them became the basis of scientific and academic sciences of today. You can read about the Muslim contributions in medicine, mathematics, science, astronomy and arts on pp. 274 – 279.