The Rise and Spread of Islam Chapter 8

Why Important??? Islam spread quickly to become one of the world’s most popular religions Islam spread quickly to become one of the world’s most popular religions –Remains so to this day Muslim merchants played a crucial role in trade and cultural diffusion Muslim merchants played a crucial role in trade and cultural diffusion

Geography Islam originated on the Arabian Peninsula Islam originated on the Arabian Peninsula Mostly desert Mostly desert Cities on coasts or near an oasis, thrived on trade Cities on coasts or near an oasis, thrived on trade –Mecca and Medina most impt Bedouin tribes controlled caravan routes b/t cities Bedouin tribes controlled caravan routes b/t cities –Nomadic, clans based on kinship ws/942/ JPG

Pre-Islamic Arabia Polytheistic religion, animistic Polytheistic religion, animistic –Some Jewish and Christian influence Polygamy Polygamy –Some allowed women multiple husbands (polyandry) Relatively high status for women Relatively high status for women Poetry main form of artistic expression Poetry main form of artistic expression

Rise of Islam By 500’s, Arabia was very fragmented By 500’s, Arabia was very fragmented –Rivalry among Bedouin –Christianity and Judaism increased in influence  Religious disunity Prophets began to call for unity among the Arabs Prophets began to call for unity among the Arabs –Believed a common religion was needed

Muhammad Born around 570 Born around 570 Educated to be a merchant Educated to be a merchant –Moved to Mecca as an adolescent –Heavily influenced by monotheistic religion (Judaism and Christianity) 610: received revelation from Allah 610: received revelation from Allah –Believed his revelation was the final word of god  Following, yet superseding, those of Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus Muhammad’s beliefs and teachings became the basis of a new religion- Islam Muhammad’s beliefs and teachings became the basis of a new religion- Islam –Beliefs and teachings recorded in Arabic to compose a holy scripture known as the Qur’an

Muhammad His teaching made him unpopular among the polytheists in Mecca His teaching made him unpopular among the polytheists in Mecca –Fled to Medina –Began to buildup base of followers; became skilled politician and spiritual leader –Islamic community became known as umma Muhammad’s teaching quickly spread Muhammad’s teaching quickly spread –Unified the people of Arabia

Teaching of Muhammad Tenets of Islam Muslim: follower of Islam Muslim: follower of Islam 5 Pillars of Islam 5 Pillars of Islam –Acceptance of Allah as one true god and Muhammad as his prophet –Prayer 5 times daily in direction of Mecca –Fasting during day-light hours of Ramadan –Charity for the less fortunate –Hajj- pilgrimage to Holy Land

Beliefs of Islam Islam: Islam: –Is monotheistic –promotes equality of all believers in the eyes of God –Encourages charity for the poor –Belief in judgment in the afterlife (paradise or hell) Because its beliefs were similar to those of Judaism and Christianity, Islam was an appealing religion that spread quickly Because its beliefs were similar to those of Judaism and Christianity, Islam was an appealing religion that spread quickly

Caliphate 632: death of Muhammad 632: death of Muhammad –Uncertainty about leadership in Muslim community –Some renounced faith due to lack of leadership Caliph: political and religious successor of Muhammad Caliph: political and religious successor of Muhammad –Some wanted Ali (Muhammad’s first cousin) to take over –Others felt Abu Bakr (Muhammad’s father-in-law) would be better

Sunni-Shi’a Split Sunni Muslims supported Abu Bakr and the Ummaya clan Sunni Muslims supported Abu Bakr and the Ummaya clan Shi’a (Shi’ite) Muslims supported Ali to be caliph Shi’a (Shi’ite) Muslims supported Ali to be caliph The Sunni-Shi’ite conflict still continues to this day. The Sunni-Shi’ite conflict still continues to this day. –Over time the two groups developed many differences that makes their union even more difficult

Ummayad Caliphate Abu Bakr of the Ummaya clan became caliph (from ) Abu Bakr of the Ummaya clan became caliph (from ) –Began to standardize the Islamic faith, oversee compilation of the Qur’an, reassert Muslim authority among the Arabs –Temporary peace

Ummayad Caliphate , ruled over an Arab Empire , ruled over an Arab Empire –Capital in Damascus, Syria Major Features of Ummayad Caliphate Major Features of Ummayad Caliphate –Est. Arabic as official language –Muslims enjoyed highest social position  Only pay taxes for charity  Most people were dhimmi (non-Muslim) –paid the bulk of taxes –Very little attempt to convert non-Muslims

Muslim Conquests Muslims began to engage in campaigns against neighboring empires Muslims began to engage in campaigns against neighboring empires –To gain wealth and glorify their religion –At first, not interested in conversion Seized territory from Byzantine Empire Seized territory from Byzantine Empire Territorial gains in: Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, Spain, Algeria, Morocco Territorial gains in: Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, Spain, Algeria, Morocco

Ummayad Caliphate Gender/Family under Ummayad Gender/Family under Ummayad –Teachings of Muhammad influenced the role of women  Muhammad taught respect for women, saw marriage as important social institution  Saw men & women as equals in eyes of Allah –Under Ummayad, men were allowed 4 wives  So long as he could support them equally –Very little evidence of the use of veils during the Ummayad Caliphate –Women involved in various occupations (law, commerce, scholars)

Abbasid Caliphate : Ummayad overthrown during rebellion 750: Ummayad overthrown during rebellion –Abbas family took over and established the Abbasid Caliphate Capital at Baghdad Capital at Baghdad Abbasid was a “Golden Age” for Islam Abbasid was a “Golden Age” for Islam –Court-life, literature, learning

Abbasid Caliphate Dramatic increase in converts to Islam during the Abbasid Dramatic increase in converts to Islam during the Abbasid –Missionary work to promote conversion Urban expansion; Baghdad became a cultural center and economic hub Urban expansion; Baghdad became a cultural center and economic hub Trade boomed Trade boomed –Use of lateen (triangular) sails on ships known as dhows Extensive trade increased wealth

Arabian Dhow trade ship Lateen (triangular) sails

Abbasid Caliphate Cities were filled with artisan and craft shops Cities were filled with artisan and craft shops –Unskilled labor performed by slaves  Slavery was not a hereditary condition  Slaves were Non-Muslims, usually captives from Africa –Qur’an forbids enslavement of Muslims, Jews, Christians, or Zoroastrians

Islamic Law Over time, Muslim scholars developed an Islamic law code Over time, Muslim scholars developed an Islamic law code –Based on traditions passed down since times of Muhammad Islamic law known as Shari’a Islamic law known as Shari’a –Designed to promoted legal stability and a common moral code for all Muslim followers  Followed to varying degrees and in slightly different forms throughout the Islamic world

Islamic Learning Muslim scholars preserved and recopied classical works from the Greek and Hellenistic period Muslim scholars preserved and recopied classical works from the Greek and Hellenistic period Adopted the Indian Numeral system & spread it Adopted the Indian Numeral system & spread it –Made advances in algebra and trigonometry Architecture became a form of artistic expression Architecture became a form of artistic expression –Mosques with elaborate mosaics inside –Elaborate palaces for entertaining the elite

Dome of Rock- Jerusalem

Declining Position of Women During the Abbasid, the position of women began to decline During the Abbasid, the position of women began to decline –Harems very popular –Veiling became a common practice and women were secluded  Only slave women allowed to appear in public unescorted However, women did have some rights However, women did have some rights –Own property, right to divorce and remarry, right to testify in court, and the right to go on hajj

Decline of Abbasid Caliphate By mid-800’s Abbasid began to lose power By mid-800’s Abbasid began to lose power –Internal unrest (Sunni-Shi’ite conflict) –Courtly excess became a financial drain –Conflicts over succession led to civil wars –Revolts by non-Muslims and Turkish slaves (Mamluks) Abbasid also faced outside pressures Abbasid also faced outside pressures –Seljuk Turks (nomadic group) seized territory to create the Seljuk Sultanate –Crusaders –Mongol Invasion Abbasid eventually fell in 1258 Abbasid eventually fell in 1258

Spread of Islam Islam quickly spread beyond the Muslim Empire Islam quickly spread beyond the Muslim Empire –Aided by trade Expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa, the Swahili Coast of East Africa, parts of Europe and Asia Expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa, the Swahili Coast of East Africa, parts of Europe and Asia More on this later!!! More on this later!!!