1. The Beginnings of Islam
Today’s LEQs: What were the primary causes and consequences of intensified trade and communication during Period 3?
The Beginnings of Islam

2. Arabian Peninsula Pre-Islam
Mostly nomadic tribes
Tribes often fought
Worshipped large variety of gods
Took pride in oral traditions/group loyalty
TRADERS (Muhammad was a merchant)

3. Abraham’s Geneology

4. The Prophetic Tradition
Prophets = people who speak to humanity on behalf of God
Adam
Noah
Abraham
Moses
Jesus (Deity to Christians, Prophet in Judaism and Islam)
Muhammad (last and most important prophet in Islam)

5. Mecca Major trading/religious city Importance of Kaaba
Located between Byzantine and Sassanid Empire

6. The Messenger Muhammad (570-632CE) Retreats and revelations
Famous text: Quran
Rejection of the Kaaba’s gods
Growing movement towards Allah/Yaweh as deity #1!
Followers kicked out of town (the Hijra in 622CE)

7. Quran Holy book of Islam
Called for creation of a new society (Umma) based on justice

8. Five Pillars of Islam
Five practices of Islam that all observant Muslims supposed to do:
The Shahada – declaration of faith (monotheism is the main point of Islam!)
The Salat – prayers performed five times a day
The Zakat – almsgiving (charitable donations) of about 2.5% of your total wealth
The Sawm – fasting during holy month of Ramadan from sunrise to sunset
The Hajj – pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime (millions go every year)

11. Muslims in the World Today
Arabs make up only 20% of the Muslim world – huge misconception
Most Muslims found in Southeast Asia today!

12. Past AP exam question…

13. The Spread of Islam Easy to learn and practice No priesthood
Teaches equality
Follow one law; the Sharia
Non-Muslims allowed religious freedom but paid additional taxes
Easily “portable:  nomads and trade routes
Weakness of nearby empires (Byzantine and Sassanid) allowed easy conquest

14. The Dar al-Islam
Unity found across Muslim areas supported by common practice (the 5 pillars)

15. Arab Empire: Early Years
Muhammad’s death caused division – who should lead?
Abu Bakr elected ( CE)
Goal of conquest brings the umma together

17. Motives for Conquest United all Arabs
Distraction from internal fighting
Promised a share of the booty
AVOIDED mass conversions (at first)
So they wouldn’t have to share their booty
So they could tax subjects at higher rates

18. Sunni vs. Shi’a At issue: Who should lead the Muslim Umma?
First 4 caliphs = “The Rightly Guided,” most agreed on these guys
Eventually, they split into two m ain sects:
Sunni – “the majority” (caliph should be chosen by the umma)
Shi’a – “Party of Ali” (Muhammad’s relatives are rightful caliphs)

19. Umayyads Expansion (central Asia, N.W. India, N. Africa, Spain)
Capital = Damascus (modern Syria)
Arab conquest state
Bureaucracy – Arab elite ruled over non-Arab, non-Muslim populations
Religious freedom tolerated, but had to pay extra taxes
Segregated into garrison towns to prevent mixing

20. Family and Gender Roles
Women’s status pretty good
Islam teaches that all people’s souls are equal
Active in commerce
Pastoralist background
Became more patriarchal over time

21. Umayyad Decline & Fall Revolt led by Abbasid family
Non-Arab converts and Shi’ites joined Abbasids

22. Abbasid Caliphate Centralized
Capital = Baghdad (Imitated Persian culture)
Non-Arab converts fully integrated
Opportunities for education/gov’t position
LOTS of conversions

23. Abbasid Economy & Culture
Urban
Madrassa schools
Trade & Hajj = constant and quick ideas exchange
House of Wisdom in Baghdad = Center of Learning
Ancient authors translated (especially Greeks like Aristotle!)

24. Abbasid Decline Overexpansion
Caliphs hired personal armies of Turkic Central Asian pastoralists (slave soldiers)
Centralization breaks downs
Mamluk & Seljuk Turkic slave soldiers really run the gov’t (caliph = figurehead)
Mongols – kill the last caliph in 1258