The First Muslim Empire The Arab Empire of the Umayyads

Background Muhammad dies in 632 CE Many Bedouin tribes renounced faith within months Muslims form a military to help prevent the fall of their religion  Jihad (struggle or Holy War) Conquered Mesopotamia, N. Africa, Persia Led by Arabs A small warrior elite class known as the Umayyads Little desire to convert newly conquered populations

Politics: A New Leader Muslims deeply divided on who should be the leader after Muhammad’s death Did not choose successor Muslims choose a new Caliph Abu Bakr becomes first Caliph ( ) Knew the Bedouin tribes Knew who could be made allies and how to turn them against each other if needed Began to lead attacks into Iraq, Syria & Egypt Encouraged Bedouins to ally and prepare to attack the Byzantine and Persian Empires

Politics: Spread of Islam Arab Motivations to Conquer Islamic faith united them Take revenge on non-Arab rulers But mostly, the promise of riches and treasures to be taken in the fight Many did not want to convert the people they conquered If those people became Muslim, they would have to share in the riches won in battle If those people stayed Jewish, Christian or another faith, they had to pay taxes, so that is lost if they convert them Thus, the idea of jihad, being the main reason of Islamic expansion is a false one that many people believe today

Politics: Spread of Islam They attacked the Sasanian Empire (Persian) first as it was weaker than the Byzantine Persian emperor was a puppet for aristocracy Zoroastrianism had lost popularity Aristocracy was harsh on their workers Military was weak and disorganized In 651, the Muslims already had conquered the capital of the Sasanian Empire

Politics: Spread of Islam Conquering the Byzantines would prove more difficult Did receive help from Egyptian and Syrian Christians These were Coptic Christians and did not like the Orthodox Christian rule of the Byzantine Orthodox would tax the Coptic and persecute them as heretics Byzantines were weaker after fighting long wars with Persians Muslims took Syria, western Iraq, and Palestine quickly Later they took Egypt and the city of Alexandria; then Libya Amazingly, these desert Bedouin then built a large navy wherein they would gain dominance of the Mediterranean Byzantine Empire was able to keep Turkey and Greece plus a few other lands, but they were essentially out of the Middle East and greatly weakened

Politics: Umayyad The third Caliph, Uthman, was the first Ummayad Caliph Murdered in Egypt by Muslim soldiers Wanted Muhammad’s nephew, Ali to take leadership Umayyads swear revenge

Politics: Umayyad Ali Strong and experienced military leader Loved by followers Won all the first battles against the Umayyad In 657, he was about to finish them off But the Umayyad made a plea for mediation (peace talks) He decides to listen This gave the Umayyad time to regroup They took over Egypt and then one year later assassinated Ali The next caliph was Mu’awiya, a Umayyad

Politics: Umayyad The split of Islam This fight caused a major division Those who supported Ali, and other relatives of Muhammad, became known as Shiites Those that supported the Umayyad, became known as the Sunni Led to many differences in laws, traditions and beliefs since Also led to much violence ever since Islam SUNNISHIITE Umayyad Muhammad’s family

Politics: Umayyad Built biggest empire since the Romans AND they did it way faster than anyone else (about 100 years) Went into Central Asia and began a rivalry with Buddhism (still exists today) By the 8 th centrury had conquered into northwestern India  fierce rivalry with Hinduism Dominated Mediterranean Sea, conquering islands like Sicily and Crete During the same time, conquered Spain in Europe and nearly conquered France  rivalry with Catholic Christians Defeated in France by Charles “the Hammer” Martel Battle of Tours HUGELY IMPORTANT to the future of Europe

Politics: Umayyad Mecca remained most holy city Capital City: Damascus, Syria Small, wealthy groups of Arabs ruled in non-Arab conquered nations Only Muslim Arabs were first class citizens Muslims could be taxed only for charity Muslims had all the positions of power

Culture: Umayyad The Bedouin began interacting and intermarrying people of the conquered lands Many of these people were voluntarily converting to Islam New converts still were not granted citizenship and were forced to pay the taxes The long-time believers did not want to lose their status or money Therefore most people kept their religions:Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Zoroastrian Allowed to worship as they pleased Payed heavy taxes Keeping their religion, let people accept Arab Muslim rule much easier

Social Structures: Ummayad Prior to Islam, women had often been treated as sexual servants in arab culture Muhammad changed that for the better Promoted marriage (though could have 4 wives) Hated adultery (both male and female) Forbids female infanticide (was widely practiced) Let women have a say in who they married Women had property and inheritance rights Women had divorce rights The dowry was given to the wife instead of her father Equality in spirit before Allah First martyr of Islam was a woman Many women wrote the Hadiths

Social Structures: Umayyad Under the Umayyad Little is heard of veiled women Women pursued work in education, law and business Independent minded- A niece of the Caliph once was chided about not wearing a veil, so she said, “ Allah in his wisdom, has chosen to give me a beautiful face and I intend to make sure it is on public display so that all might appreciate his grace.”

Political Decline: Umayyad Umayyad caliphs lose focus Luxury and soft living Hundreds of women in harems (sexual servants often) The Caliphs became more and more aloof, staying in their palaces rather than mixing with the people This enraged many as Muhammad and Abu Bakr led very simple lives

Political Decline: Umayyad A revolt started in Iran 50,000 men were upset with the Umayyad and the Damascus attitude of superiority Start a revolution in 747 CE These men marched under black banners of the Abbasid party Led by Abu al-Abbas, relative of Muhammad Formed alliances with others upset with Umayyad (including the Shiites and the Muslim converts who still did not get citizenship, and had to pay taxes)

Political Decline: Umayyad The Abbasid and their fellow rebels quickly won the first several battles Faced off with the Umayyad Caliph at the massive Battle on the River Zab near the Tigris The Abbasid won

Political Decline: Umayyad After the Umayyad surrendered Abu al-Abbas invited them all to dinner While they were eating, they were quickly wrapped in sheets and slaughtered by the Abbasid Only one grandson of the Umayyad got away and fled to Spain where he started the Cordoba Caliphate which lasted for hundreds of years