The Rise and Spread of Islam Unit 2: The Rise and Spread of Islam Day 4: THe Arab Empire & Caliphates

Early Teachings Muhammad began preaching Islam in Mecca, but was met with resistance Local leaders believed Muhammad to be a threat to their power Feared Mecca would lose its role as a pilgrimage location

As a result Muhammad decided to flee Mecca Hijrah: Migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina (“city of the Prophet”) in 622 Became a political, religious, and military leader

Return to Mecca In 630 returns with 10,000 men The city surrenders and converts to Islam By 632 Islam has spread across the Arabian peninsula

Rise of the Caliphs Muhammad dies without a successor, Muslim community elected leaders, known as caliphs (political/spiritual leaders) The area controlled by the caliph was known as the caliphate Governed by shari’ah law- based on the Qur’an and Muhammed’s life to guide daily life Abu-Bakr was named the first successor to Muhammad after much controversy, He suppressed tribal uprisings and expanded the empire. Shari’ah law– made after Muhammad died. Was made as a reasonable law code. However, intertwined law and religion. Also, when left to others interpretation, could be manipulated

Caliphs following Muhammad’s death: Abu-Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali Continued to expand the influence of Islam by using strong military force Spread into the Fertile Crescent, Iran, and Central Asia as the Byzantine and Persian empires became weaker creating an Islamic Empire Jihad– struggle in the way of God. This is the the Muslims duty to work for the triumphs of Islam. Used as an excuse for common Muslim terrorists, not accurate. Remember, people can manipulate text to fit their needs.

End of the Caliphs Ali was assassinated in 661 over a struggle for power Umayyad family began to divide Muslim community After Abu Bakr’s death, Ali (Muhammad’s son in law) was eventually put into power, in 656.

The Umayyads Mu’awiyah, governor of Syria became caliph Moved the capital from Medina to Damascus (modern-day Syria) Conquered and converted the Berbers in N Africa Crossed into Spain and was finally stopped at the Battle of Tours 732 in Gaul (France) Also, in 732, attempted to take Constantinople but failed 750, Arab advance paused

Islam Splits Hussein (2nd son of Ali) opposed the Umayyad interpretation of the Caliphs Led to the formation of two parties Sunnis: Believed that the caliph should be chosen from among the umma Shi’a (Shiites): Believed Ali and his heirs were the rightful successors to Muhammad Basically a giant argument, over who was the rightful Caliphate. Hussein (Ali’s Son) led an uprising and encouraged his followers to rise against the Umayyad. His tiny army was easily defeated. This power struggle leads to the Sunni/Shia Split that still persist today. Shia– thinks that the Lineage of Ali is the rightful heir to the caliphate Not all Muslims agreed with Umayyad rule was accepted it.

Abbasid Caliphate 750-1258 Moved the capital to Baghdad - more central to trade in the region Ruled over the Islamic Golden Age- prosperous era when many significant Islamic contributions were made Abbasids emphasized the importance of judges, merchants, and gov. officials. This spread their influence into their newly acquired territories. Many people during this time started to intermarry with the acquired territories as well. Implemented a prime minister, known as a vizier (advisor to the Caliph)

Fatimid Dynasty Independent kingdoms began to arise in the Abbasid Empire Rival dynasty that controlled North Africa and the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula

Seljuk Turks Nomads from Central Asia had converted to Islam Served as soldiers under the Abbasid As the Abbasid weakened the Turks took Baghdad and most of Asia Minor

Ottoman Turks Originally vassals of the Seljuk Turks Formed their own state in 1280 After Mongol occupation of the Middle East the Ottomans were able to defeat the Byz Empire and take parts of SE Europe

Islamic Contributions Why is this important? Kept learning alive during the Dark Ages (after the fall of the Roman Empire)

- Introduction As the Islamic Empire grew, more and more people came into contact with one another This cultural diffusion led to many advances

- Architecture Dome of the Rock Islamic shrine on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem Dome structure similar to Persian, Greek, and Byzantine architecture. Believed to be the spot from which Muhammad ascended to heaven This site is sacred to both Jewish and Islamic people, therefore it is the cause of a great deal of current strife

- Education Desire to discover the truth and develop a practical understanding of the world House of Wisdom (Baghdad, Iraq) Early university Library, school, & translation center Brought together people from all over the world Site of most Muslim learning Translated texts from Greece, India, & Persia

- Medicine Al-Razi: Persian physician Wrote comprehensive Book of Medicine, that combines medical knowledge from Greece, Arabia, & India Believed patients would recover faster if they breathed clean air Influenced location of early hospitals

- Mathematics You’re Welcome! Al- Khwarizmi: developed algebra (Al-jabr- “the addition of one thing to another”) Based his ideas on those of Aristotle & Indian mathematicians Adapted Indian numbering system Concept of zero

- Art Created mosaics and wrote in calligraphy No depictions of Allah or Muhammad

- Language Developed the Arabic language & alphabet 2nd most used language in the world Only language considered to be the true language of Allah.

Why were these Islamic cultural contributions important?