1. The World of Islam
Chapter 6

2. The Rise of Islam
Chapter 6 Section 1

3. The Arabs
Arabs - nomadic, Semitic-speaking people who lived in the Arabian Peninsula.
Harsh desert with little water
Lived in loosely connected, independent tribes.
Sheikh – tribe leader that is from a leading family chosen by a council of elders

4. The Arabs They were sheep herders and farmers on the oases
Domestication of the camel allowed expanded trade (caravans)
Became major carriers between the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean
Early Arabs were polytheistic, but Allah was the supreme God

5. The Arabs
Ancestry traced to Abraham and his son, Ishmael. Most believed they built the Kaaba at Makkah (Mecca).
Kaaba – the Black Stone
Trade route through Makkah and across the Indian Ocean flourished
Tensions rose between rich and poor

6. The Life of Muhammad Born into a wealthy merchant family in Makkah
Orphaned at a young age
Became a caravan manager
Married Khadija a rich widow (his employer)
He was troubled by the gap between the rich merchants (greedy) and most Makkans (honest and simple).

7. The Life of Muhammad
After seeing the inequalities, he went to the hills to meditate where he received the revelations of God.
Given by the angel Gabriel
He believed that Allah partially revealed himself through Moses (Judaism) and Jesus (Christianity) and final revelations were to him

8. The Life of Muhammad
The Quran (the holy scriptures of Islam) came from these revelations.
It also contains ethical guidelines for Muslims.
Muslims – those who practice Islam
Islam has one God, Allah, and Muhammad is God’s Prophet

9. The Life of Muhammad
After three years of preaching he only had 30 followers (they were persecuted)
622 – He and his followers moved north and founded Madinah (Medina) – City of the prophet
The journey is known as Hijrah
622 is the first year of the Muslim Calendar

10. The Life of Muhammad
Gained support from the residents of Madinah and the Bedouins – Arabs of the Desert
First community of practicing Muslims
He did not separate religious and political authorities
Muhammad becomes a religious, political, and military leader

11. The Life of Muhammad
The military was created to protect Madinah and soon they gained several victories
In 630 he leads 10,000 soldiers to Makkah
City surrenders and many residents convert to Islam
Kaaba declared a sacred shrine
Muhammad dies two years later and Islam begins spreading through the peninsula

12. Teachings of Muhammad Islam is monotheistic
Allah the all powerful Creator of everything
Islam offers salvation and hope of an afterlife for those who subject themselves to Allah’s will

13. Teachings of Muhammad Muhammad is a prophet, but not divine
Direct and simple faith stressing the importance of Allah’s will
The Five Pillars – Belief, Prayer, Charity, Fasting, and Pilgrimage

14. The Arab Empire and Its Successors
Chapter 6 Section 2

15. Creation of the Arab Empire
Muhammad had no son, only daughter's and they were not able to lead (male dominated society)
Abu Bakr –Muhammad’s Father-in-law was name caliph – successor to Muhammad

16. Arab Conquest Islam grows under Bakr Muslims expand over Arabia
650 - Egypt, Syria, and the Persian Empire were part of the Arab Empire
The Quran permits fair, defensive war known as Jihad - Struggle in the way of God
Brilliant generals with a large army
It was believed that if a Muslim died in Battle they are assured a place in Paradise

17. Arab Rule Early caliphs ruled from Madinah
After Abu Bakr the first two caliphs were assassinated
656 – Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law becomes caliph, but he’s assassinated after 5 years
Conquered territories were often allowed to keep the same government
No one was forced to convert to Islam
If they did not convert they were required to be loyal to Muslim rule and pay taxes.

18. The Umayyads
661 – Mu’awiyah, rival of Ali, becomes caliph – his virtue: Use force only when necessary
Made caliphate herditary and began the Umayyad dynasty
Moved the Capital city to Damascus in Syria

19. Umayyad Conquests
Arabs conquered and converted the Berbers - pastoral people of coastal N. Africa
Spanish Conquest
710 – combined forces occupied S. Spain
725 – Most of Spain a Muslim state
732 – Arab forces were defeated at the Battle of Tours (France)

20. Umayyad Conquests
717 – Muslims attacked Constantinople – Navy defeated by the Byzantines
Uneasy border of Byzantine and Arab Empire
By 750 -Persia, North Africa, parts of the Mediterranean, and Spain make up the Arab Empire

21. A Split in Islam
Internal struggles threatened the Arab Empire (non-Arab vs. Arab Muslims)
Revolt against Umayyad rule in 680 by Hussein (Ali’s 2nd son)
Most of the soldiers defect, leaving 72 to fight an army of 10,000
Results in two distinct groups emerging

22. A Split in Islam
Shiite – Descendant of Ali – only true rulers of Islam
Sunni – Did not all agree with Umayyad rule, but accepted it
The split still exists today
Most Muslims are Sunnis, but Shiites exist mostly in Iraq and Iran

23. The Abbasid Dynasty Resentment of the Umayyad grew
In 750, Abu al-Abbas, a descendant of Muhammad’s sets up the Abbasid dynasty
Lasts until 1258

24. Abbasid Rule 762 – made the capital city in Baghdad Persian influence
Warriors no longer the heroes
All Muslims can hold civil and military offices
Harun al-Rashid – golden age of the dynasty
Known for charity and patron of the arts
His son al-Ma’mun – patron of learning

25. Abbasid Rule
Economic prosperity as Baghdad becomes the center of the huge trading empire
Caliph becomes more regal and bureaucratic with a council headed by the vizier – prime minister

26. Decline and Division Sons of al-Rashid fought over caliphate
Wealth leads to financial corruption
Shortage of qualified Arabs for government positions led to non-Arabs to become a dominating force
Provinces break away from the empire and establish their own caliphates
Spain had a Umayyad prince
973 - Fatimids have a new dynasty in Cairo

27. The Seljuk Turks
Seljuk Turks – nomadic people from central Asia that converted to Islam and prospered as soldiers for the Abbasid caliphate
Took over much of the Abbasid empire and when Baghdad was captured the Turkish leader became sultan – holder of power
Began invading and taking over the Eastern Byzantine Empire

28. The Crusades
Alexius I Byzantine emperor asks Christian states for assistance
Crusades start in 1096
European states get the upper hand early on
Saladin ends Fatimid dynasty by taking control of Egypt and appointing himself sultan
1187 Saladin’s army invades Jerusalem and destroys Christian forces
Saladin did not permit a massacre of Christians
Result of the Crusades?

29. The Mongols Pastoral people from the Gobi desert
Seized control of much of Asia through destruction and terror
Genghis Khan takes over Northern China
Hulegu takes over Persia and Mesopotamia
Takes Baghdad in 1258 and orders the city destroyed
Begin to convert to Islam and intermarry
Arab Empire collapses and Cairo is the center of the Islamic world