Political Islam World History - Libertyville HS

Why Did Islam Spread?  Before death in 632, Muhammad told followers to spread Muslim faith to rest of world  Abu Bakr – elected caliph to succeed Muhammad in 632  He invoked jihad against non believers

What does “jihad” mean? Literally means “striving” (3 types) Personal striving (purify soul) Verbal striving (justice) Physical striving (contextual) In Qur’anic context, it means an Islamic holy war against unbelievers

Jihad Quotes from the Qur’an “But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them, And seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent (accept Islam) and establish regular prayers and practices regular charity then open the way for them; for God is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an 9:5)

Jihad Quotes from the Qur’an “O ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him)” (Quran-9:123) “….Allah promises you much booty (spoils of war) that you will capture from the defeated infidels….” (Qur’an 48:20)

Historical Jihad Invitation was sent to neighboring locations of unbelievers to voluntarily convert to Islam or face invasion Pagans = convert or die People of the Book (Jews, Christians ) = Convert or be conquered and become dhimmi

Islam to 661 AD  Four caliphs after Muhammad were known as the “Rightly Guided Caliphs”  Next two caliphs, including Ali, son in law of Muhammad, saw expansion of Muslim Empire into Persian, Byzantine Empires  Each caliph was assassinated by rivals

The Umayyad Dynasty ( ) After Ali’s death, the Umayyads (Arab family from Mecca) seized power Umayyads moved capital from Mecca to Damascus They continued conquests into Pakistan, Africa, & Spain

Rise of the Abbasid Dynasty ( ) The Abbasids were primarily Persian rebels against the Umayyads They took over after slaughtering all but one Umayyad prince, who fled to Spain and set up a kingdom there (Moors) Abbasids moved capital to Baghdad, mainly for reasons of trade

Islam in 1000 AD

Golden Age of Abbasid Caliphate Baghdad quickly grew as money from conquest and tribute flowed Abbasids established a strong central government to control empire Scholars flocked to Baghdad Large libraries Muslims very respectful of learning of all cultures

Abbasid Golden Age Translation of Chinese, Indian scientific works into Arabic Muslim state was the most advanced of this period They collected knowledge of all peoples BUT they did not necessarily effectively use that knowledge

Disintegration and Fragmentation Islam’s empire was too big for control from one center Caliphs were isolated from and not responsive to the people Three way fight for power developed Abbasids (Persia) Fatimids took over Egypt Seljuk Turks

Took over Syria, Palestine, Islamic Asia Fought against crusaders Eventually eliminated by the Mongols

The Mongols and Islam The Mongols under Genghis Khan swept through the Abbasid Caliphate and destroyed it by 1258 Mongols destroyed everything in their path Irrigation systems of Persia, Mesopotamia Main reason why area is desert today Mongols stopped in Egypt in 1260 by Mamelukes, (Christian slave-soldiers)

Rise of the Ottoman Turks Ottoman Turks, steppe people, were driven from central Asia by Mongols in 1200s Made their way to Anatolia In 1300s, Ottomans united and forged an empire in Anatolia, fighting the Byzantines

Ottomans Conquer Islamic World From Anatolia, the Ottomans crossed the Bosphorus Straits into Europe and began conquering the Balkans In 1453, their ruler, Mehmet II, conquered Constantinople and ended the Byzantine Empire Went on to conquer Muslim world, parts of Europe Greatest Extent of Ottoman Empire