The Rise of Islam 600-1200
Arabian Peninsula Before Muhammad Most Arabs Settled / Nomads a minority Caravan cities caused interaction between Byzantine / Sasanid Empires & Ethiopia Nomadic Religion = Polytheistic Familiar with Judaism, Christianity & Zoroast. Mecca = Caravan City Between Yemen & Syria Ka’ba = Cubical Shrine w/idols inside
Muhammad & Foundation of Islam Orphan born in Mecca Became involved in the caravan trade The ‘Final Prophet’ In 610CE received revelations (1 God = Allah) Submission = Salvation 622 fled to Medina / Formed a single community of believers (umma) The Succession of the Caliph Abu Bakr (Father-in-law) Goals = Standardization: 5 Pillars & Creation of an Islamic State Civil War over 3rd Caliphate = 3 Rival Sects Sunni’s= Abu Bakr Shi’ites=Ali (Muhammad’s son-in-law & 1st cousin) Kharijite (Militant followers of Ali)
The Rise & Fall of the Caliphate 632-1258 Period of Islamic Conquests 634-711 Possible reasons: Religious fanaticism, weakness of enemies, talent of Muslim leaders, structure of Arab Society Umayyad & Abbasid Caliphates 661-850 Arab Empire (not a Muslim Empire), ruled from Damascus, Syria Umayyad Overthrown 750 w/ help of Shi’ites Abbasid Caliphate 750-1258 (family of Abbas, Muhammad’s cousin) Cultural Center of Baghdad, Golden Age of literature & science. Non-Arab conversion in cosmopolitan centers. Political Fragmentation 850-1050 (Mamluks grew in power), too diverse of a region to hold under Arab rule as Islam spread. Attacks = Christian Crusades, Turkish & Mongol Invasions (Mongols killed final Caliph in 1258)
Islamic Civilization Islamic Law = Shari’a Based on collections of reports known as Hadith Conversion & Urbanization were related Achievements in Medicine & Astronomy Women Veiled & secluded though could be influencial Only slave women could be in public unchaperoned Rights under Islamic Law Right to inherit & own prop. Right to divorce Right to remarry Testify in Court / Pilgrimage Supposed to live as Khadija & Fatima (Muhammad’s 1st wife & daughter)