The Rise of Islam ca. 600 - 1200

The Arabian World Desert Dwellers inhabited by Bedouin societies occupations were herding camels and goats with some agriculture towns ruled by clans and tribes with conflicts over water and land Trade and Society trade linked Mediterranean to East Asia Mecca (home of Ka’ba) became most important merchants made money selling goods/religious artifacts to travelers commercialized, polytheistic society in cities

The Life of Muhammad Family born in the Quraysh clan about 570 raised by father’s family, became merchant, married widow influenced by contact with Jews and Christians Beginning of dar al-Islam became dissatisfied with material life and meditated in 610, received revelations from Gabriel teachings written in Arabic and collected in the Quran other sayings collected in the much later Hadith Islam means “submission” or self-surrender to Allah referred to himself as the “seal of prophets”

The Birth of Islam Persecution and Unity seen as a threat to social and economic order by Mecca’s rulers fled to Medina in 622(hijra), marks the beginning of the Islamic era (calendar) leadership brought followers Muhammad attacked Mecca in 630 and forced elites to convert and established new government contained elements of other monotheistic religions, respect for prophets Organization unified society with distinct indigenous monotheism old tribal boundaries gave way to the “umma” all believers equal before Allah the Quran became basis for teaching and law (Sharia) comprehensive legal and social code Muslims follow the Five Pillars of Faith all should be converted to the faith, jihad (struggle)

The Spread of Islam The Umayyads after Muhammad’s death in 632, unity threatened due to no successor advisors selected Abu Bakr to serve as caliph ruled as head of state and religious and military leader warrior elite dominated and armies went on the offensive Conquest and Expansion Islam became common cause for aggressive expansion, wealth a motivation jihad used as justification for spread, but present idea misrepresents early expansion Arab armies invaded surrounding empires and dominated the Mediterranean moved into northern Africa and southern Europe (early 700s)

Succession and Society The Sunni-Shi’i Split murder of 3rd caliph, renewed rivalries Muhammad’s supporters followed Ali who served briefly Ali was rejected by the Umayyads so Sunni comes from Umayyad leadership Shi’i supported Ali’s descendants Economy agricultural base – staple crops: sugarcane, rice, wheat, fruits led to increased food supply and textile industry paper-making learned from China due to trade that used old Persian and Roman roads camel saddles allowed goods to move by caravan and lateen sail and astrolabe allowed ocean trade Gender and Culture pre-Islamic women had many rights but later veiling and seclusion came from Persia over time interpretations restricted women, Quran reinforced male dominance language and law provided unifying bond while madrassas promoted education missionary proselytized – Sufi mystics had goal of making Islam more spiritual