Rise of Islam and the First Empires
The Life of Muhammad and the genesis of Islam Muhammad influenced the worship of a single, almighty god - Allah Orphaned Resided in Mecca as a trader Married the widow Khadijah Revelations from Allah were given to Muhammad via the angel Gabriel in 610 CE Revelations were written in Arabic & collected in the Qur’an Basis for Islam Muhammed is seen as threat to the Umayyads Flees Mecca to Yathrib (Medina) on what is known as the Hijra (Ist year of Islamic Calendar) Quraysh launched a series of attacks on Muhammad and his followers in Medina
Reasons for Islam in the Arab World Islam offered monotheism equal to that of Christianity & Judaism Also it was distinctively Arabic in origin Umma (Islamic community) offered political unity for tribal boundaries Bedouins united and conquered the Middle East Islam provided ethics Zakat – tax for charity Muhammad’s teachings & revelations in the Qur’an regulated ALL aspects of Muslim life Last Judgment
The Arab empire of Umayyads Consolidation & Division in the Islamic Community There was a leadership crisis after Muhammad’s death Who should become the caliph? Abu Bakr Succeeded Muhammad as the 1st Caliph Ridda Wars defeat of rival prophets Restores unity of Islam
Weakness of Adversary Empires A. Sassanid Empire Zoroastrianism Animistic religions Based on moral choices Muslims assassinated Sassanian rulers the ended the Sassanid empire in 651 Byzantine Empire Christian sects (Copts & Nestorians) rallied to Arab Muslims since they would tolerate Christians and tax them less heavily Copts & Nestorians viewed as heretics by Orthodox Byzantines The Byzantine empire survived Islam, but was constantly under siege by Muslim attacks
Succession and the Sunni – Shiite split Uthman - 3rd caliph unpopular because he was chosen by the Umayyad Murdered by disobedient warriors Ali proclaimed caliph causing a split within Islam Ali Rejected by Umayyads as caliph Battle of Siffin Loses support because he tries to mediate with Umayyads Umayyad leader Mu’awiya proclaimed Caliph of Jerusalem & challenges Ali’s position Assassinated, 661 Ali’s Son, Hasan, renounces caliphate due to pressure from Umayyads Husayn (Ali’s other son) claims Caliphate Killed, Karbala, 680
Spread and Decline Alienation of Muslim faith led to revolts Umayyad Imperium Spread conquests into Central Asia Islam rivaled with Buddhism Northwest India North Africa Expansion into Europe blocked by Charles Martel and the Franks at Gibraltar Center of Islam shifts from Mecca to Damascus Alienation of Muslim faith led to revolts The Abbasid Revolt in Merv Supported by Shiites & Malwai Defeated Umayyads
Early Abbasid Era Islam became a universal religion Sunni rule Baghdad Suppressed Shiites who were seen as heretics Baghdad Capital of the Abbasid dynasty Bureaucratization of Islamic Empire Islamic Conversion & Mawali acceptance Integration of Arab & Non-Arab converts Most converted willingly
Commercial Boom, Agrarian Expansion, and Social Standings Dhows – sailing vessels Traded with Christians and Jews Urbanization Government & private workshops Ayan – landowning elite Artisians were poorly paid Slaves did labor and unskilled work