The Rise and Spread of Islam

Essential Questions 1.Why were the small nomadic tribes of Arabia able to unite under the leadership of Muhammad and other early Muslim leaders? 2.Why were Arab armies able to prevail so rapidly over the large Byzantine Roman Empire, Sassanid Persia, and other seemingly more powerful civilizations? 3.What are the central beliefs of Islam, and why was it able to appeal to so many non-Arabs once the Arab Muslim armies had conquered them? 4.Why was the problem of determining the successors to Muhammad so great for Muslims, and how did it shape the way the religion evolved? 5.Why were Muslims during the Abbasid Caliphate able to advance so far culturally and intellectually in so many areas? 6.What forces led to growing weakness and decline in Muslim societies in the latter centuries of Abbasid rule?

Arabia in the Seventh Century

People of Arabia Nomads/Bedouins Farmers Traders Tribes

Paganism Worshipped many gods Chief god was Allah, meaning simply, “the God” Al-Uzza

Jews in Arabia Nebuchadnezzar Adopted Arab customs of dress and language Arabs influenced by Jewish beliefs

Christians in Arabia Nearby Syrian, Mesopotamian, and Abyssianian Christians Najran in Yemen Some tribes converted Different sects Tended to be monophysitics

Mecca

Kaaba Large black cube Housed 360 idols Focus of pilgrimages during holy month of Ramadan

Trade Routes