The First Global Civilization: The Rise and Spread of Islam

Introduction Islam (literally means “submission, the self-surrender of the believer to the will of the one, true God, Allah”) No single civilization had bound together large portions of the ancient world before Arabia had been a nomadic backwater in the Middle East but within decades the Muslims had conquered a huge empire. Islamic civilization was spread by merchants, wandering mystics, and warriors - provided key links and channels for the exchange among the older classical civilizations

Clan Identity, Clan Rivalries, and the Cycle of Vengeance Bedouin herders lived in kin-related clan groups and clans were clustered into larger tribal groupings. Shaykhs are the leaders of the tribes or clans. Clan cohesion reinforced by fierce interclan rivalries and struggles to control vital pasturelands and watering places. Battles often ensued, which resulted in weak power status in relation to neighboring peoples and empires.

Towns and Long-Distance Trade Farmers and town dwellers carved out small communities in the western and southern parts of the peninsula during the classical era. Some cities arose as links in the transcontinental trading system. Mecca was founded by the Umayyad clan of the Quraysh bedouin tribe. Its status enhanced because it was the site of the Ka’ba, one of the most revered religious shrines in pre-Islamic Arabia. Yathrib (later called Medina)- established in an Oasis and part of the trading system. However, it was not dominated by one clan like Mecca but by two Bedouin and three Jewish clans.

Marriage and Family in Pre-Islamic Arabia Women probably enjoyed greater freedom and higher status than those in neighboring civilizations. They played key economic roles. Men had to pay a bride-price. Their advice was highly regarded. BUT they were not equal to men. Their status depended on the custom of the individual clans and tribes

The Life of Muhammad and the Genesis of Islam Born around 570 CE into prominent clan of the Quraysh tribe, the Banu Hashim Father died and was raised by father’s relatives. Went with uncle Abu Talib made first caravan journey to Syria, where he met Christians and Jews (this influenced his teachings) Became a merchant in Mecca. In his travels trading became aware of clan rivalries and the discrepancy between the rich and the poor. Dissatisfied of a life of material gain. Spread of monotheistic faiths at the time. Many prophets in Arabia. Goes to meditate and in ca. 610 he received the first of many revelations (his followers believe that the angel Gabriel transmitted them to him). The revelations were later written in the Qur’an. At first Muhammed had a small following but slowly as his following grew, the Umayyad notables who dominated Meccan life saw him as a threat to their own wealth and power. New faith threatened to supplant the gods of the Ka’ba

Muhammed Returns to Mecca 622 goes to Medina, where there is civil strife and Muhammed is called in to help mediate, where he was successful and gained new followers Umayyad’s angrier at Muhammed’s success because Medina begins to rival Mecca This leads to battles, which end with a treaty in 628, whereby the Muslims could visit the shrine at Ka’ba in Mecca during the season of truce 629 goes home with about 10,000 followers and gradually wins over the Umayyads

Arabs and Islam Islam initially only adopted by Arab town dwellers and Bedouins Islam offered the possibility of an end to the vendettas and feuds that had divided the people of Arabia Umma- community of the faithful Islam offered an ethical system that helped heal the social rifts in Arabian society o      Stressed the dignity of all people o      Soon incorporated into a body of law Universal elements including monotheism, highly developed legal codes, egalitarianism, and strong sense of community 5 pillars provided basis for religious unity: faith, prayer, fasting, zakat, hajj

Arab Empire of the Umayyads 632 Muhammad died suddenly and left no designated successor By 633 Muslim military leaders began to mount expeditions beyond the peninsula Combination of their skill and neighbor’s weaknesses led to conquering success Arab world not Islamic yet Increasing tension over who would be the Caliph- the political and religious successor to Muhammad o  Ali- cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad o  Abu Bakr (632-634) early followers and closest friend of Muhammad Ridda wars- brought the return of Arabian tribes to Islamic folds

Motives for Arab Conquest Islam provided unity to Arab warriors Bedouin warriors drawn to campaigns of expansion by a promise of a share in the booty No interest in conversion of conquered people

Weaknesses of Adversary Empires Sasanian Empire of Persia vulnerable and Muslim victories led to rapid collapse of the empire Byzantines harder to defeat but two reasons they could: o Defection of Arabs on their own frontiers o Support of Muslim invaders from Christian sects in Syria and Egypt who didn’t like Byzantine rule By mid- 640s desert Bedouins putting together fleets that could challenge the Byzantine command of the Mediterranean

Sunni-Shi’a split By 656 growing tensions within the community create open violence Ali ready to defeat Umayyad forces in 657 but accepted a mediation, which would prove fatal Umayyads regroup and added Egypt back in 660 Mu’awiya (new leader for the Umayyads) proclaimed the caliph directly challenging Ali’s position 1 year later Ali is assassinated Sunnis- backed the Umayyads, Shi’a- Ali’s supporters When Ali’s 2nd son, Husayn, was killed in Karbala in 680 Shi’a resistance mounted Over time there are differences in belief, ritual and law

Umayyad Imperium Last ½ of the 7th century renewed conquests By early 700s ruled an empire that extended from Spain to Central Asia Political center shifted to Damascus, Syria because that was the place of Uthman’s murder Built solid bureaucracy Arab conquest state by nature Kept Muslim warrior elite in garrison town separated from local population

Converts Attempts to separate the Muslims and non-Muslims couldn’t succeed Mawali- Muslim converts Number of conversions low because there was no social/economic benefit to converting Most people were dhimmi- people of the book

Family and Gender Women played great role in recording history, active role in politics, great respect for women Marriage encouraged

Decline and Fall Early 8th century- Umayyads had alienated those who were Muslim in their territory By mid-8th century more than 50,000 warriors had married local women and came to resent leadership from Damascus By 747 a group of warriors, backed by the Abbasid party (lead by Abu al-Abbas) challenged Umayyads 750 Persia and Iraq fell Battle on River Zab- opened the way for conquest of Syria and the capture of Umayyad capital