The Worlds of Islam 600-1500 C.E.
The Arabs A people group from the Arabian Peninsula Speak Arabic Nomadic pastoralists, some began settling down Lived in independent clans and tribes (kinships and relationships) Frequent conflicts, decent military skills
The Arabs Lived along trade routes Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Byzantium, Silk Roads, even West Africa Connected to wider world – learned much from this: Monotheism, wealth, and trade Controlled the city of Mecca: Trade city Site of the Kaaba (shrine to local gods) Practiced polytheistic religion
Muhammad The founding of Islam is ALL ABOUT MUHAMMAD Known as the last of the prophets (Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and others) Showing connections to Judaism and Christianity Received the final revelations from God – later written in the Quran- God’s literal words.
Muhammad Who is he? Merchant from the Quraysh tribe in Mecca Troubled by corruption and inequalities of Meccan life Meditating brought him the revelations from God Began teaching and attaching followers (610 C.E. – 632 C.E.)
Muhammad Muhammad greatly challenged existing life in Mecca: Most people at the time polytheistic Meccan business life and wealth? Tribe and clan social structure Muhammad encouraged a community for all believers (called the Umma)
Discussion What motivates proper behavior and participation in society more? Good laws or shared belief system?
Sufi Mysticism The mystical side to Islam Sought a direct and personal experience of the “Divine” Meditation on the words of the Quran Use of missionaries
Establishing Islam Muhammad was rejected in Mecca Too challenging and dangerous In 622, he and his followers went to Medina – journey now known as the Hijra Also the beginning of the Islamic calendar Umma was formed and expanded (belief over birth) Muhammad becomes both a religious of political leader
Establishing Islam Much political and military success (622-630) Ending of tribal warfare, new wealth, new faith, marriage alliances 630 – Reentered Mecca peacefully, rededicated the Kaaba to Allah Controls most of Arabia
New Religion, New State, New Society Muhammad as political and religious leader Umma as new community No separate religious organization or professional clergy State and “Church” all the same No separation between religious and political law Sharia Law – laws for every aspect of life
Creation of Arab Islamic Empire Rightly Guided Caliphs (Religious and Political leaders) 632-661 Capital – Medina Conquests: Mesopotamia, Sassanid (Persian) Empire, Egypt Conflicts: Who will lead after Muhammad? Sunni/Shia Split Success: massive spread and conversion
Creation of Arab Islamic Empire Umayyad Dynasty 661-750 Capital: Damascus Conquests: North Africa, Spain, all the way to India Conflicts: how to treat non-Arab Muslims, how to rule (taxes, succession, bureaucracy, centralization) Success : spread & conversion, centralization, developing Sharia law
Creation of Arab Islamic Empire Abbasid Empire 750-1258 Capital: Baghdad Conquests: Smaller area – Mediterranean islands, parts of Anatolia Conflicts: holding itself together – local splinter, Mongols in 1258 Sharia law vs. Sufi mysticism Success : flourishing culture – tech, science, math, medicine, philosophy, education, astronomy Flourishing trade – merchants everywhere – Indian Ocean, Silk Roads, Mediterranean, Trans-Saharan, all the way to China
Creation of Arab Islamic Empire What supported conversion, spread, success? Familiarity – monotheism, heaven/hell, prayers, fasting Association with a powerful new state Conversion offered incentives – avoid taxes, social mobility Merchant activity Military prowess Islamized without Arabizing? Turkey, Persia/Iran, Pakistan
The Islamic World as a Connected World After the fall of the Abbasid Empire, there will not be another Islamic Empire in the political sense, however, Muslims will stay connected culturally. HOW? Faith and Religion: Ulama – scholars, judges, administrators, teachers of Sharia Madrassas – formal colleges – Quran, hadiths, language, math, medicine, Sharia Law, philosophy, etc. Sufi orders of practice – Widespread, missionaries, frontier (followed army) Hajj
The Islamic World as a Connected World After the fall of the Abbasid Empire, there will not be another Islamic Empire in the political sense, however, Muslims will stay connected culturally. HOW? 2. Commerce and Exchange – 1. Muslim Merchants on every major trade network 2. Trade was valued, viewed positively 3. Agricultural diffusion 4. Tech diffusion 5. Diffusion of ideas
Recapping Major Conflicts within Islam Who leads after Muhammad? Sunni/Shia Split Treatment of non-Muslims and non-Arabs Muslims Sharia Law vs. Sufi Mysticism (What does it mean to be a good Muslim?) Women: opportunities and struggles Where/how were women treated with less patriarchy Where does patriarchy and limits come from?