Age of Islamic Conquests

Creation of An Arab Empire After the death of Muhammad, unity was difficult to maintain. The friend and father-in-law of Muhammad, Abu Bakr, was chosen to be the first Caliph, or successor to Muhammad.

Abu Bakr helped to unify the Muslim world and expanded in Arabia and beyond. Under the idea of jihad, or “struggle in the way of God” the early Muslims expanded their territory. The believed that defensive warfare was permitted by the Quran.

Arab Rule The Arabs were now united and expanded their territory instead of fighting each other. They defeated the Byzantine army in 636 taking the province of Syria. By 642 they took Egypt and by 650 they controlled the Persian Empire

After Abu Bakr died there was conflict over who would be the next Caliph. The next two Caliphs were both assassinated. After that Muhammad’s son-in-law Ali was appointed Caliph, but five years later he too was assassinated.

The Umayyad Dynasty At the beginning of the eighth century Islam had expanded across northern Africa and had converted the Berbers (a pastoral people along the Mediterranean coast). By 710 combined Berber and Arab forces crossed the Strait of Gibraltar into Spain and had taken most of the country by 725. In 732, however, the Muslim advance into Europe was halted at the Battle of Tours just outside of Paris

Complete “Battle of Tours Play” Assign roles Read play from desks

Discussion How would life be different if the Muslims had won the Battle of Tours???

By 750 the Muslim advance came to an end By 750 the Muslim advance came to an end. The southern and eastern Mediterranean and parts of the old Roman Empire were now Muslim territory. The Umayyad Dynasty was centered in Damascus, in modern-day Syria and was wealthy. This was also a very diverse empire as many different peoples had been conquered in new territory. The diversity helped lead to a split within the Islamic faith

The Umayyad Empire

A Split in Islam Many non-Arab Muslims resent the favoritism which the Umayyad Empire showed toward Arabs. The large empire was difficult to rule efficiently and there were financial problems as well.

The Revolt of Hussein The grandson of Muhammad, Hussein, led a revolt against the Umayyad Empire in 680. His solders defected and he was killed by an overwhelming Umayyad force. This struggle led to a split within the faith of Islam between Sunni and Shi’a (Shiite) Muslims.

Sunni vs. Shi’a (Shiite) Sunni Muslims supported the Umayyad Dynasty. They believe the Caliph does not need to be a direct descendant of Muhammad. Shi’a Muslims supported Hussein and believe that the Caliph should be a direct descendant of Muhammad through his son-in-law Ali and his grandson.

Umayyad Architecture Dome of the Rock

the rock is the spot[from which Muhammad ascended to heaven accompanied by the angel Gabriel. Further, Muhammad was taken here by Gabriel to pray with Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. After Muhammad’s's return, he called all who would believe him to join with him and be Muslim For Jews and Christians-site of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac

The Abbasid Dynasty

The Crusades The Byzantine Emperor Alexius I sent a letter to the Pope (Urban II) asking for help against the Turks. This led to a series of wars in 1096 known as The Crusades. At first the Crusaders were successful and took the city of Jerusalem. In 1187 the Muslim leader Saladin retook the city, leaving the Christians with only a small collection of land holdings in the Middle East. The Crusades had a lasting impact-breeding centuries of mistrust between the Muslim world and the Christian World.