The Rise of Islam 600-1200
Arabian Peninsula Before Muhammad Most Arabs Settled / Nomads a minority Caravan cities caused interaction between Byzantine / Sasanid Empires & Ethiopia Nomadic Religions = Polytheistic Familiar with Judaism, Christianity & Zoroast. Mecca = Caravan City Between Yemen & Syria Ka’ba = Cubical Shrine w/idols inside, temple of Abraham
Muhammad & Foundation of Islam Orphan born in Mecca Involved in the caravan trade The ‘Final Prophet’ In 610CE received revelations Submission to God = Salvation 622 fled to Medina / Formed a single community of believers (umma) The Succession of the Caliph Abu Bakr (Father-in-law) Standardization: 5 Pillars & Creation of an Islamic State Civil War over 3rd Caliphate = 3 Rival Sects Sunnis= Abu Bakr Shi’ites=Ali (Muhammad’s son-in-law & 1st cousin) Kharijite (Militant followers of Ali)
Islamic Civilization Islamic Law = Shari’a Based on collections of reports known as Hadith Conversion & Urbanization were correlated Great Achievements in Medicine & Astronomy Women= Supposed to live as Khadija & Fatima Inherit & own prop. Divorce & Remarry Testify in Court Pilgrimage
The Rise & Fall of the Caliphate 632-1258 Period of Islamic Conquests 634-711 Success due to religious fanaticism, weakness of neighbors, talent of Muslim leaders and camel cavalry Umayyad & Abbasid Caliphates 661-850 Arab Empire from Damascus, Syria Umayyad Overthrown 750 w/ help of Shi’ites. Abbasid Caliphate 750-1258 (family of Abbas, Muhammad’s cousin). Baghdad=cultural center, Golden Age of literature & science. Non-Arab conversion in cosmopolitan centers. Political Fragmentation 850-1050 (Mamluk Turks grew in power), too diverse of a region to hold under Arab rule as Islam spread. Attacks/Invasions = Christian Crusaders, Turkish & Mongol Invasions (Mongols killed final Caliph in 1258)