The Spread of Islam
I. Muhammad’s Successors Spread Islam 632: Muh. Died Abu Bakr chosen as successor Caliph = “successor of the Prophet”
A. “Rightly Guided” Caliphs Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, & Ali All knew Muh. Rule = caliphate Abu Bakr promised to uphold what Muh. stood for Some abandoned Islam “jihad” (striving in the path of God) Islam expanded 634: Abu Bakr died & Muslim state controlled all of Arabia
Umar (2nd caliph) Conquered Syria & lower Egypt
Uthman & Ali cont’d to expand Muslim territory 750: stretched 6,000 mi.
Arab policy toward conquered peoples made conquests easier More tolerant than other conquerors Christians & Jews converted or paid tribute w/in 100 yrs. of Muh’s death
Attempt to take Const. failed 711: Berbers (N.Af followers) invaded Spain led by Tariq (against Visigoths) Jabal Tariq (“Mtn. of Tariq”) Spain = easy conquest 732: Battle of Tours Stopped advance of Moors into Euro.
B. Reasons for Success 1. Victories = Allah’s support Great inspiration & morale from faith 2. Muslim armies were well-disciplined & commanded 3. people were persecuted under Byz. rule
II. Internal Conflict Creates Crisis 656: Uthman was murdered (civil war) Ali (Muh’s cousin & son-in-law) became next caliph 661: Muawiya (Uthman’s cousin) Accused Ali of protecting Uthman’s assassins Ali & Muawiya went to war Ali was assassinated (Muawiya took power)
Umayyads came to power Moved Muslim capital to Damascus Helped control conquered lands Abandoned the “simple” life…surrounded themselves w/wealth Helped give rise to a division in the umma
A. Division in the Umma Most accepted Umayyads’ rule Shi’at Ali (“party of Ali”) (Shi’a) caliph (imam) had to be descendent of the Prophet Muh. 10% of Umma Sunni 90% of Umma Est. in 661 (Muawiya)
750: rebels overthrew Umayyads Abbasids took control
III. Islamic Control Spreads Abbasids murdered Umayyads Abd al-Rahman escaped to Spain to est. a caliphate Spain = conquered by Muslims (N.Af) 732: Muslims advanced w/in 200 mi. of Paris – stopped at Battle of Tours
A. Abbasids Consolidate Power 762: capital moved to Baghdad Trade routes Developed strong bureaucracy Treasury Army Diplomats Supported by taxes
B. Rival Groups Divide Muslim Lands Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258) Failed to maintain control Independent Muslim states sprang up Fatimid caliphate Formed by Shi’a Claimed descent from Muh’s daughter Fatima Fatimids & smaller states were still connected thru religion, language, & trade
C. Muslim Trade Network Med. Sea & Indian Ocean Silk Roads Engaged in sea trade w/world Silk Roads Single language