Background and Rise of the Islamic Empire Islam Overview

How do we know what we know? No written biography of Muhammad until after death in 767 Problems with this – Different texts Alterations Qu’ran compiled 50 yrs after death Civil Wars: 3 in 1st 120 yrs Histories “written” to support own side

Paper? Who cares? Way of recording government system/laws Printing of Qu’ran

Historians Examine Sources: Tax records Census Graves Memoirs Oral history Found not insular (isolated to one place) – incorporated area cultures

Prophet Muhammad: Born 570 CE in Mecca to ruling tribe (year 1 of Islamic calendar) Years of meditation Message through Angel Gabriel from God in a cave Continued to receive messages for 23 years

Role of the Prophet Muhammad Only a messenger – uncorrupted truth Straight from God Last prophet Not the originator – that is God Other prophets before: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus Abraham – father of Jews Son Ishmael - 1st Muslim Teachings of early prophets – Corrupted by other faiths

Abraham Hagar Ishmael Muhammad Sarah Isaac Jesus

Qu’ran God’s word On paper (late 800s) Prophet’s message Compiled by Umar (2nd caliph – 634 CE) On paper (late 800s) Muslims defeated central China Got paper Paper mills: Baghdad – late 800s Egypt 900 Morocco & Spain 1100

Content of Qu’ran Length – approx. same as New Testament Absolute word of God Poetic form Molded Arabic literature Each syllable is sacred Preferred to be in Arabic – not translated

Qu’ran - continued Basis of: Faith Government Social system

Other Islamic Scripture Sunna: example of thinking & living set by the Prophet Muhammad Written in the Hadith Recorded words and deeds of Muhammad

Jesus and Jews Not the son of God Jews Then wouldn’t be monotheism Can’t have more than 1 entity to worship Jews Not accepting Qu’ran as updated “truth” that had already been told

ISLAM FAITH SOCIAL GOVERN-MENT CULTURE A complete system

5 Pillars of Islam: Orthodox Beliefs & Practice 1. Declare: “There’s no god but God and Muhammad is his Prophet” 2. Pray: 5 times/day facing Mecca; assembly for recited prayer Fridays midday 3. Alms: 2.5% of income to poor – especially widows and orphans

Pillars continued 4. Ramadan: 1 month – 9th month of Islamic calendar Honors 1st revelation in Qu’ran from Muhammad Fast each day Okay to eat at night Month’s end feast Tablets of Abraham, Torah, Psalms, Gospels all in same month Punished in some countries for not observing Iran – non-Muslim had lips burned; others public flogged for eating Kuwait – fine Algeria - prison

Pillars continued Hajj (pilgrimage) once in life to Mecca Ka’bah: box in the middle of the central mosque in Mecca Supposedly built originally by Abraham & Ishmael Originally contained idols of local gods Most sacred place of Islam Contains the Black Stone Stone Adam was given by God to absorb sins Now is black with all of the sins of the world

6th Pillar: Jihad Sacred Struggle Not required Different interpretations Call for physical warfare Preserve Spread dar al-Islam (political rule of Islam) Self-defense “God loves not aggressors” Internal spiritual struggle to be devout

After death: Devout Reject Free will is limited Paradise Burn in hell God has all power

Just a continuation of ancient system Practices were already there in cultures where the Islamic Empire had spread Prayer Regular times and locations Christians & Jews Washing before Animal sacrifice practices Area pagans How animals are slaughtered Jews (kosher) Circumcision Jews

Why did people convert? Threat? Devout? Increased horizons: Religious, political, economic, social Access to world (like Christianity)

By the Sword Probably not to gain believers Political Military Economic Easier to rule if Muslims were separate Hierarchy of ruling class Muslims didn’t have to pay taxes

Shari-a: Islamic Law Similar to Jews Marriage Proper conduct Promote right Prevent wrong Law of society Day to day Eat, dress Marriage Men obligated to support wives Up to 4 wives okay

Women: Question if worse before Because of Islam or because of exposure to other cultures? Byzantine: Veil Marriage/divorce practices Economic status Qu’ran Men over women Dress code because seen as seductive

Different systems of Islamic Law: regional based on interpretation: Arabian Middle East & Southern Asia North, Central, & Western Africa Southern Arabia & Southeast Asia Saudi Arabia

Structure Caliph Umma Initially – Muhammad’s successors Leader of Muslim community Umma Original Muslim Community (100 followers in Mecca) Muslim Community

Civil Wars Movement from tribal to cosmopolitan New social structures Mixed Arab and non-Arabs Divided into upper and lower classes New practice of assimilating Non-Arabs were conquered 1 Umma (1 Muslim culture) Spread use of Arabic 660 CE Umayyad dynasty – Damascus, Syria 750 CE Abbasid dynasty – Baghdad (until 1258 CE)

Succession of caliphs Caliph’s job: “successor of the messenger of God” Administration of the Empire Political 4 “Rightly-Guided Caliphs” 1. Abu Bakr Relative Mobilized troops Took Middle East, Central Asia & North Africa

2. Umar I 3. Uthman 4. Ali Administrator of territories Didn’t encourage conversion Built forts to separate Muslims from conquered people 3. Uthman Assassinated by Arab troops from Egypt 4. Ali Assassinated because Uthman followers thought he was too easy on Uthman’s assassins

Other significant caliphs Mu’awiya Started 90 yr rule of Umayyad caliphate Moved capital to Damascus, Syria 6. Yazid – claimed position son of Mu’awiya Husayn – son of Ali declared war Died in battle = martyr Shi’a or Shi’ite Partisans of Ali

Now: All first 11 assassinated Waiting on 12th (mahdi – rightly guided one) Usher in new age of Islam

Shi’as Believe in religious purity Caliph – represents religious principles Not imperial Only descendents of Ali as imam Ali – son in law and cousin of Muhammad Ali was by divine appointment Special authority over people Imam – right caliph Hereditary line Just Imam has already been here and will return

Sunnis Follow Prophet’s example Imam Just Imam is yet to come Descendents of Abu Bakr Father in law of Muhammad Just Imam is yet to come

Differences Imam: Ali’s descendents “rightly guided one” already has been & will return Imam by divine appointment Imam must be pure Knowledgeable, brave, wise, just, pious Special authority Imam: Abu Bakr’s descendents “rightly guided one” yet to come Imam can be elected Ok is sinful b/c God appoints Can’t rise up against Imam even if unjust Shi’as Sunnis

Poorest people in Sunni governed country 16% of Muslims worldwide Iran – 95% Iraq 60% Pakistan Poorest people in Sunni governed country Discrimination Clearer religious hierarchy Ayatollahs – clerics for law 83% of Muslims worldwide Less religious authority Sunna: religious teachings of Muhammad Shi’as Sunnis

spread of world religions Empire of Islam Part 2