The Beginnings of Islam Today’s LEQs: What were the primary causes and consequences of intensified trade and communication during Period 3? The Beginnings of Islam

Arabian Peninsula Pre-Islam Mostly nomadic tribes Tribes often fought Worshipped large variety of gods Took pride in oral traditions/group loyalty TRADERS (Muhammad was a merchant)

Abraham’s Geneology

The Prophetic Tradition Prophets = people who speak to humanity on behalf of God Adam Noah Abraham Moses Jesus (Deity to Christians, Prophet in Judaism and Islam) Muhammad (last and most important prophet in Islam)

Mecca Major trading/religious city Importance of Kaaba Located between Byzantine and Sassanid Empire

The Messenger Muhammad (570-632CE) Retreats and revelations Famous text: Quran Rejection of the Kaaba’s gods Growing movement towards Allah/Yaweh as deity #1! Followers kicked out of town (the Hijra in 622CE)

Quran Holy book of Islam Called for creation of a new society (Umma) based on justice

Five Pillars of Islam Five practices of Islam that all observant Muslims supposed to do: The Shahada – declaration of faith (monotheism is the main point of Islam!) The Salat – prayers performed five times a day The Zakat – almsgiving (charitable donations) of about 2.5% of your total wealth The Sawm – fasting during holy month of Ramadan from sunrise to sunset The Hajj – pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime (millions go every year)

Muslims in the World Today Arabs make up only 20% of the Muslim world – huge misconception Most Muslims found in Southeast Asia today!

Past AP exam question…

The Spread of Islam Easy to learn and practice No priesthood Teaches equality Follow one law; the Sharia Non-Muslims allowed religious freedom but paid additional taxes Easily “portable:  nomads and trade routes Weakness of nearby empires (Byzantine and Sassanid) allowed easy conquest

The Dar al-Islam Unity found across Muslim areas supported by common practice (the 5 pillars)

Arab Empire: Early Years Muhammad’s death caused division – who should lead? Abu Bakr elected (632-634 CE) Goal of conquest brings the umma together

Motives for Conquest United all Arabs Distraction from internal fighting Promised a share of the booty AVOIDED mass conversions (at first) So they wouldn’t have to share their booty So they could tax subjects at higher rates

Sunni vs. Shi’a At issue: Who should lead the Muslim Umma? First 4 caliphs = “The Rightly Guided,” most agreed on these guys Eventually, they split into two m ain sects: Sunni – “the majority” (caliph should be chosen by the umma) Shi’a – “Party of Ali” (Muhammad’s relatives are rightful caliphs)

Umayyads Expansion (central Asia, N.W. India, N. Africa, Spain) Capital = Damascus (modern Syria) Arab conquest state Bureaucracy – Arab elite ruled over non-Arab, non-Muslim populations Religious freedom tolerated, but had to pay extra taxes Segregated into garrison towns to prevent mixing

Family and Gender Roles Women’s status pretty good Islam teaches that all people’s souls are equal Active in commerce Pastoralist background Became more patriarchal over time

Umayyad Decline & Fall Revolt led by Abbasid family Non-Arab converts and Shi’ites joined Abbasids

Abbasid Caliphate Centralized Capital = Baghdad (Imitated Persian culture) Non-Arab converts fully integrated Opportunities for education/gov’t position LOTS of conversions

Abbasid Economy & Culture Urban Madrassa schools Trade & Hajj = constant and quick ideas exchange House of Wisdom in Baghdad = Center of Learning Ancient authors translated (especially Greeks like Aristotle!)

Abbasid Decline Overexpansion Caliphs hired personal armies of Turkic Central Asian pastoralists (slave soldiers) Centralization breaks downs Mamluk & Seljuk Turkic slave soldiers really run the gov’t (caliph = figurehead) Mongols – kill the last caliph in 1258