Building a Muslim Empire Chapter 10 Section 2
Objectives: Understand early challenges to Islam Identify the differences between Sunnis and Shiites Understand rule under Umayyad (ooMYad) caliphs
Muhammad Dies Problem - no successor Abu Bakr: Muhammad’s father in law Caliph: successor to Muhammad Problem - some withdrew loyalty to Islam (only loyal to Muhammad)
Early Victories Arabs Unite Under first four caliphs: Conquer: Byzantines: Syria Palestine Cities: Damascus and Jerusalem Persians: Entire empire (eventually Egypt)
Divisions Emerge Shiites (SHEE yt) Followers of Ali (son-in law of Muhammad( Imams: True successors = descendants of Ali and Muhammad Similar to priests
Divisions Emerge (continued) Sunnis (SOO nee) Caliph-political leader No divine functions Custom of community 90% of Muslims
Sunnis and Shiites (pgs 311-312) Create a Venn Diagram depicting the similarities between Sunni and Shiites Shiites Sunni Sufis: Similarities Differences Differences
Umayyad Caliphs Umayyad (ooMYad) Dynasty of Sunni caliphs ruled until 750 A.D. Capital: Damascus, Syria
Reasons for Muslim Success Why victorious? Weakness of Byzantine and Persian Empires Arabs as liberators Fighting methods Bedouin camel Camel cavalry Belief in Islam
Conquered People Treated Fairly Special tax on non-Muslims Tolerant of other religions (People of the Books) No religious hierarchy
Decline… Desert to city life Tribal leaders to kings Rely on local officials Economic tensions Wealthy vs. poor Shiites see them as illegitimate rulers