Section 3: Spread of Islam

Intro Death of Muhammad in 632 meant Muslims faced a crisis Political unity of the first Muslim empire was short-lived.

Geographic extent of first Muslim empire

Abu-bakr Muhammad – named no successor Elected 1st caliph-632 AD Caliph– successor Promised to uphold what Muhammad stood for

Rightly Guided Caliphs First four caliphs Used Koran and Muhammad’s actions as guides to leadership Their rule is known as Caliphate

Abu-Bakr Had promised Muslim community to uphold what Muhammad stood for Groups began to break away Used jihad (armed struggle) to control & expand Islam

Spread of Islam Abu-bakr – controlled all of Arabia Umar – conquered Syria, Egypt, parts of Persia (Sassanid) 750 AD – Empire extended from Atlantic (Spain) to Indus valley

Success People believed successes due to Allah's support Well disciplined and commanded armies Weakness of other empires Attracted by message of hope & equality

Conquests Muslim conquests of Jerusalem and Damascus Trading rights in the Med. Access to conquer Europe and Africa.

Add Damascus to Map

Treatment of conquered peoples Retained their own religion Paid tax instead of military service Could not spread religion

Internal conflict Uthman – murdered starting civil war Ali – murdered leading to split in religion

Umayyads Muawiya-Governor of Syria Came to power after Ali’s death Moved capital to Damascus Began division of Islam

Split Shi’a (Shiite) – “party” of Ali should be descended from Muhammad Sunni – meaning follower’s of Muhammad's example Death of Ali led to Sunni-Shi’a division

Sufi Pursued life of poverty and devotion to spiritual path Helped keep Muslims focused on Qur'an and traditions

Spain Umayyad established new dynasty in Spain and North Africa after overthrow by Abbasids joined Berbers Also known as Moors

Berbers Muslims of north Africa Moors Advanced Muslim armies into France but halted in 732 AD at Battle of tours by Charles Martel Muslim defeat at the battle of tours

Abbasid power Abbasids overthrew Umayyad dynasty in 750 Geography – old Persia, Iran, Iraq, & central Asia Islamic capital moved to Baghdad Bureaucracy conducted affairs of empire (day to day)

Abbasid Empire

Rival groups Abbasid caliphate lasts from 750-1258 Fatimid dynasty resulted from growth of small Muslim states Connected to Abbasid by trade

Fatimid's Empire

Trade Network Sea - Mediterranean Sea & Indian ocean Land-Connected Silk Road of China and India to Europe and Africa Arabic language spread with Islam and facilitated trade Single currency-Abbasid dinnar

ARAB DINAR

Banks Set up by money changers to encourage trade issued letters of credit (sakk)

Muslim cities Abbasid – Baghdad & Damascus Cordoba – Umayyad capital in Spain Cairo – Fatimid capital Jerusalem Baghdad

Fall of Baghdad To the Mongols-1258 AD invaded Baghdad. The city was sacked and burned Baghdad remained uninhabited for centuries

Social classes 1. Upper class – Muslims at birth 2. Second class – converts to Islam 3. Protected peoples – Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians 4. Lower classes-Slaves Slavery was not based on race. prisoners of war non-muslims

Role of women Men – managers of women's affairs, women are obedient Equal as believers

Responsibilities of Women Poor-worked in fields with husband Wealthy-supervised household & servants Rich or poor responsible for raising children