Islam and the Early Caliphates

The Arabian Peninsula Pre-Islam Mostly nomadic tribes (Bedouins) Tribes often fought Worshipped a large variety of gods Took pride in oral traditions/group loyalty TRADERS (Muhammad was a merchant) Commercial cities arise as a result of trade which conflicts with some of the tribes’ core value systems.

Abraham’s Genealogy HAGAR ABRAHAM SARAH Ishmael Isaac Jacob Esau Ishmael’s sons became leaders of the 12 Arabian Tribes Jacob Esau Muslims trace their ethnic heritage back to Abraham, the founder of Judaism. Jacob’s sons became leaders of the 12 Tribes of Israel

The Prophets Muhammad Adam Noah Abraham Moses Jesus They also are similar to the Jewish and Christian tradition because they view Mohammad as a line in the list of prophets from the Old Testament. Muhammad viewed himself as the “last of the prophets”. Jesus Muhammad

Mecca Major trading/religious city Located between Byzantine and Sasanian Empire Importance of the Ka’ba Kaaba= religious shrine for Arabian-worshiped deities. 360 deities worshiped there. Pilgrim destination. “Children of Abraham.” *The Black Stone- Belief it that it fell from heaven as a guide for Adam & Eve to build an altar. Muhammad placed it into the wall of the Kaaba. Many try to kiss it or at least touch it or point to it! Meteorite?

The Messenger Muhammad (570-632 C.E.) Troubled by the corruption and lawlessness of Mecca Retreats and revelations Famous text: Quran Growing movement towards Allah/Yahweh as deity #1! Followers were kicked out of town (the Hijra) ~When I heard the Quran, my heart was softened and I wept…~ Born in Mecca, early orphan. Adopted by uncle. Big caravan trader and married a wealthy widow who traded as well, Khadija. Troubled by the corruption and lawlessness of Mecca. Revelations in 610-632. Recitation, not simply read. Early convert; “when I heard the Quran, my heart was softened and I wept and Islam entered me”. Hard core monotheism.

Quran, Koran, Qur’an Holy book of Islam Called for a creation of a new society (Umma) based on justice Considered to be literally the word of God There is not an actual image of God Umma= just and moral society, not to be confused with the just and moral actress, Uma Thurman. New community bound by a common believe, rather than a territory, language, and/or tribal loyalties.

The Five Pillars of Islam The following 5 beliefs/practices are what is considered necessary to be a good Muslim

1. The Shahada The declaration of faith: There is no god except God, and Muhammad is His Messenger. 1

2. The Salat Prayers performed 5 times a day: * dawn * noon * late afternoon * sunset * before going to bed Wash before praying. Face Mecca and use a prayer rug. 2 1st= allah, 2nd=prayer

2. The Salat (continued) The call to prayer by the muezzin in the minaret. Pray in the mosque on Friday. Prayer unifies body mind and soul. 2

3. The Zakat Almsgiving (charitable donations). About 2.5% of your wealth. 3 Social justice to sustain the Umma.

4. The Sawm Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. No eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan. 4

5. The Hajj The pilgrimage to Mecca. Must be done at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime. 2-3 million Muslims make the pilgrimage every year. 5

Pilgrims On The Road to And Camped Outside of Mecca

Muslims in the World Today

Countries with the Largest Muslim Population 1. Indonesia 230,000,000 6. Iran 62,000,000 2. Pakistan 134,000,000 7. Egypt 59,000,000 3. India 121,000,000 8. Nigeria 53,000,000 4. Bangladesh 114,000,000 9. Algeria 31,000,000 5. Turkey 66,000,000 10. Morocco 29,000,000 * Arabs make up only 20% of the total Muslim population of the world.

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 & trade routes. The Weakness of nearby empires (Byzantine & Persian) allowed conquest Oral poetry was already a skill of Arabians so they could easily spread the Quran’s message and recite it to others.

The Dar al-Islam: The Unity found across Muslim areas supported by common practice The World of Islam 1 2 3 4 5 This concept is KEY for the AP test - - the idea that all Muslims are united in common practice, beliefs, law codes, cultural norms, etc. The idea that all Muslims are united in common practice, beliefs, law codes, and cultural norms.

People of the Book Family & Gender Roles Early on women’s status pretty good Islam teaches that all people’s souls are equal Active in commerce Pastoralist background! More patriarchal over time Considered to be Christians and Jews paid extra taxes, but tolerated non-Arab converts still had extra taxes few conversions People of the Book

Arab Empire: Early Years Muhammad’s death caused division Who should lead? Abu Bakr elected (632-634) as first Caliph Ali (Muhammad’s cousin/son-in-law) was passed over at first (will be the 4th Caliph). Conquest becomes VERY important. Focused primarily on material and territorial gain. In Medina, Muhammad controlled every aspect of this new “super tribe”; usury (interest loan charges) was outlawed, mandatory payments to poor by all, and tax-free marketplaces were created. Bad breakup with the jewish peoples led Islams to be ordered to pray towards Medina/Mecca rather than Jerusalem. Military conquests coupled with intermarriage of tribes led to a quick spread of Islam.

Conquests threatened to lose focus of Muhammad’s principles set forth for Islam as they focused primarily on material and territorial gain. Losing lands converted often as they figured the people of Allah were strong militarily and thus their God must be the supreme god to worship as well.

Motives for Conquest United Distraction from internal fighting Promised a share of wealth gained AVOIDED mass conversions so they wouldn’t have to share $$ so they could tax subjects at higher rates

Sunni v. Shi’a/Shi’ite At issue: Who should lead the Muslim Umma? First 4 Caliphs = “The Rightly Guided” Caliphs, most agreed on these guys Ali (M’s cousin/SIL) & Husayn (Ali’s son) are killed in 680 by Umayyads (10,000 soldiers v. 72 of Husayn’s followers). Some thought HE should be the next caliph. Killing of Husayn = the final split. Shi’a = “Party of Ali” (Muhammad’s relatives are rightful caliphs) Sunni = “The Majority” (caliph should be chosen by the umma)

Umayyads (661-759) Mu’awiya- Governor of Syria (responsible for deaths of Ali and Husayn) will become the Cailphate. 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 Segregated into garrison towns to prevent mixing

Damascus: Umayyad Capital

Umayyad Decline & Fall Social Hierarchy: 1.Muslim Arabs 2.Muslim non-Arabs REVOLT led by Abbasid family Non-Arab converts & Shi’ites joined Abbasids

From Arab to Islamic Empire: Abbasids (750-1258) Centralized Capital = Baghdad. Imitated Persian culture Non-Arab Converts fully integrated LOTS of conversions Opportunities for education/gov’t positions

Abbasid Economy & Culture Urban Trade & Hajj = constant and quick ideas exchange House of Wisdom in Baghdad = Center of Learning Library, Translation Institute (mostly Greek to Arabic), and Research Center. Ancient authors translated (especially Greeks like Aristotle!!!)

Never trust a pastoralist. Abbasid Decline Overexpansion Caliphs establish personal armies of Turkic Central Asian pastoralists & Mamluk slave soldiers Centralization breaks down Mamluk & Seljuk Turkic slave soldiers really run the gov’t (caliph = figurehead) Mongols – kill the last caliph in 1258 Lot of civil wars also occurred – leading to the policy of fratricide (killing the brothers of the new caliph) Never trust a pastoralist.

Chart Time! Instructions: Make a Venn Diagram with 3 circles with at least three examples of how Islam spread by way of social, religious, and military factors (at least one of each).

People of the Book

Madrassa schools