Islam in the Heartlands and Beyond

Consolidation of Sunni Orthodoxy Decline of Caliphate enables rise of Ulama (scholars of Islamic law). Rise of the Madrasa formalized Ulama training Sunni forcus on Orthopraxy--correct practice, not Orthodoxy--correct belief Orthopraxy is defined by the Ulama. By 1000, Orthopraxy is fairly settled

Sufi Piety Sufi are mystics who focus on simple life and communion with Allah Asceticism and/or devotionalism By 11th century, brotherhoods arise, often persecuted

Consolidation of Shi’ite Tradition Seveners / Isma’illis: –7 Imams –Often Revolutionary –Esoteric, Mystical Interpretation of Koran/Hadith –Fatmid Empire was Apex (10th-12 century AD)

Consolidation of Shi’ite Islam (II): Twelver Shi’a 12 Imams before line ends More literal interpretation of holy texts 80% of Shi’ites Add Hadith from the 12 Imams The last Imam will return at end of time as the Mahdi; together with Jesus, he will reform the world to purity –Lots of would be revolutionaries claim the title

The Islamic West Umayyad Dynasty in Spain ( AD) Almoravid Dynasty ( AD) Almohads ( AD)

Ibn-Rushd

Ibn Rushd / Averroes ( AD) Doctor, Philosopher, Polymath The Incoherence of the Incoherence –A Defense of Aristotelian Philosophy –Religion and Philosophy = two views of same truths –Religion = Based on Faith, open to all –Philosophy = Grounded in Reason, only really accessible to the educated.

Ibn Arabi ( AD) Mystic and Philosopher and Sufi Emphasized mystic path on unlocking human potential to approach the divine Wrote 300 books The Seals of Wisdom was his masterpiece.

Moses Maimonides ( AD) Jewish rabbi, doctor, and philosopher Many Greek ideas pass from Islam to Christianity through his work passing ideas to other Jews in Europe Tried to reconcile the Torah with Greek Philosophy Overcame initial opposition.

The Fatmid Empire ( AD)

Claimed descent from Mohammed through Fatima Tunisian Dynasty --> Libya, Egypt, Morocco, Sicily and Egypt Founded a Shi’ite Caliphate (Sevener) Founded Cairo as capital.

Fatmid Decline Isma’ili Assassins –Founded 1000 AD by Fatmid Defector –Esoteric, Mystical, Drugged Assassins –Destroyed by the Mongols Saladin and Nur al-Din –Rulers of Syria –Conquer Egypt in 1171 AD –Impose Sunni Islam

Mamluks ( AD Slave Soldiers Used to overcome loyalty of tribal warriors to local leaders by Caliphs Overrused by Saladin’s descendents During Saint Louis’ crusade, they took over Egypt in 1250 AD Defeated the Mongols in 1260

Mamluk Apogee and Decline Sultan Baybars ( ) overcomes Crusaders, sets up puppet Caliph Conquered by the Ottomans in 1517 AD

The Islamic East Abassid Usurpers: –Samanids at Bukhara ( AD) and the Buyids at Baghdad ( AD) The Seljuk Turks ( AD) –Tugril Beg, Sultan--“Authority” ( AD) –Seljuks controlled much of Abassid Caliphate; for a time, trade and culture revived.

Al-Ghazali ( AD) Sufi theologian, ulama, mystic, and philosopher Helped acceptance of Sufis by others The Incoherence of the Philosophers –Heavily condemned Greek-style philosophy as useless at best and evil at worst –Only God’s will determines events –Most Islamic writers henceforth turned against philosophy; contributes to eventual decline of Islamic nations compared to Europe

Islam and the Mongols Ilkhanid Dynasty ( AD) Hulagu Khan founds it in 1250s Checked by the Mamluks in 1250 AD Tolerant rulers who eventually converted to Islam Decay after 1335 AD

Timurids Timur-i Lang (Timur the Lame / Tamerlane), AD –Devastates central Asia, killing millions –Last of the Steppe Conquerors Timurid Dynasty ( AD)

Islam in India and SE Asia Moslem Merchants spread Islam by Trade Various Groups of Moslems conquer pieces of India for a time, repeatedly –Dehli Sultanate (1200s-1400s) –Bahmanids ( AD): South-Central India (The Deccan) –Indonesia: Traditional Orthopraxy was challenged due to things like the difficulty of pilgrimage to Mecca and Coast vs Interior Conflict.

Religious and Cultural Accomodation North India and Deccan = Moslem ruled over Hindu masses Ghazis = Warriors of Moslem Faith Hindus treated Moslems as new castes Persian is dominant Moslem language Urdu-Hindi blends local language and Persian and Arabic

Hindus under Moslem Rule Indian Buddhism dies Vaishnava Brahman Ramnuja (d. 1137) reconciles bhakti (popular devotion to a God) with Upanashadic religious tradition

The Gita Govinda (12th Century) By Jayadeva of Puri A masterwork of love poetry mixed with Theology, about Krishna (avatar of Vishnu) and his cowgirl lovers Redefines Vishnu worship to appeal to non- ruling caste members, as a love affair of bhakti devotion Krishna becomes the central figure of whom other gods are aspects.