INTA 2XXX Lecture Notes - Ijma, Central Powers, World War I
12 Feb 2013
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Document Summary
Upon a failed assassination, mohammad moved to medina where he gained enough followers to retake mecca. Islam reached as far as western china and central spain. Mecca was important because of its strategic location on the spice route. Had major water sources making it important to the region. Violence prohibited within a 20 mile region around mecca made it more attractive to traders. Location of the kaaba major religious site. Hydraulic states legitimacy based on their ability to organize large numbers of workers: built and maintained canals, irrigation, roads,etc. Because of the scarcity of water, the middle east lacks a large number of urban areas. Sharia (islamic law): quran, sunna, ijma (consensus), kiyas (analogical reasoning) 5 pillars of islam: prayer, fasting, tithing, pilgrimage to mecca, proclaiming belief. The angel gabriel supposedly told mohammad that we would speak the word of god. Mohammad"s message was considered a threat to the ruling tribe. Islam spread quickly in a relatively short time.
