The Arab Empire And The Caliphates Chapter 9 Lesson 2 The Arab Empire And The Caliphates

Impact of Muhammad’s death Because Muhammad was the accepted political and religious leader of the Muslim community, his death left his followers with a problem regarding who would assume that leadership role. This problem would persist for decades after his death and would eventually lead to the division of Islam into 2 SECTS – Shia & Sunni (more on that later…)

Creating an Arab Empire The first to lead the Muslim community as caliph(the religious & political successor to Muhammad) was Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s father- in-law & chief advisor. He expanded Islam & united the Muslim world by suppressing political & religious uprisings using jihad (defensive warfare permitted by the Koran “a struggle in the way of God.”) Muslim armies had strong leadership & soldiers who fought believing death in battle ensured their place in eternal paradise (heaven). As the Muslim Empire grew leaders allowed those they conquered to keep their own religious beliefs, however, eventually they were made to pay special taxes if they did not convert to Islam.

The Umayyads Under their leadership the caliphate (office of the caliph) was made hereditary (only members of their family line could hold that position thus establishing the first Muslim “dynasty.” The Umayyads greatly expanded the Muslim Empire & grew its wealth as well; but Internal struggles over how to transition the power of the caliph led to a split in Islam.

Shia and Sunni The emergence of SECT groups within Islam occurred after the death of Muhammad; the division was centered on the question of who was his rightful successor. SUNNI position – (they are the majority of Muslims today) they wanted the community of Muslims to determine who would succeed him; SHIA position – (they are the minority within Islam) they felt that someone from his family should take up his mantle. They favored Ali, who was married to Muhammad's daughter, Fatimah The split between these groups remains until the present.

Abbasid Dynasty Reasons for resentment of Umayyad Rule- Non-Arab Muslims felt the Umayyads favored Arab Muslims over them; Corruption within the Dynasty Rebellion occurred leading to the establishment of the Abbasid Dynasty which lasted 500 years. This Dynasty was more open to influence & intermarrying with other cultures they conquered & Islam prospered & expanded throughout Asia, Africa & Europe. However the bureaucracy around the caliph grew more complex & the issue over succession of the caliphate continued to divide the Muslim Empire.

Political divisions within Islam Eventually Abbasid leaders broke away & established their own independent dynasties thus politically dividing Islam. The Seljuk Turks from central Asia who had converted to Islam, took over the eastern part of the Abbasid Empire & in 1055 they declared one of their own as sultan (“holder of power”) This is significant because while the Abbassid Caliph held religious authority, the Seljuk Turks now held the real political & military power. The Great Divide 25 mins