1. The Rise and Spread of Islam
Unit 2:
The Rise and Spread of Islam
Day 4: THe Arab Empire & Caliphates

2. Early Teachings
Muhammad began preaching Islam in Mecca, but was met with resistance
Local leaders believed Muhammad to be a threat to their power
Feared Mecca would lose its role as a pilgrimage location

3. As a result Muhammad decided to flee Mecca
Hijrah: Migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina (“city of the Prophet”) in 622
Became a political, religious, and military leader

4. Return to Mecca In 630 returns with 10,000 men
The city surrenders and converts to Islam
By 632 Islam has spread across the Arabian peninsula

5. Rise of the Caliphs Muhammad dies without a successor,
Muslim community elected leaders, known as caliphs (political/spiritual leaders)
The area controlled by the caliph was known as the caliphate
Governed by shari’ah law- based on the Qur’an and Muhammed’s life to guide daily life
Abu-Bakr was named the first successor to Muhammad after much controversy,
He suppressed tribal uprisings and expanded the empire.
Shari’ah law– made after Muhammad died. Was made as a reasonable law code. However, intertwined law and religion. Also, when left to others interpretation, could be manipulated

6. Caliphs following Muhammad’s death: Abu-Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali
Continued to expand the influence of Islam by using strong military force
Spread into the Fertile Crescent, Iran, and Central Asia as the Byzantine and Persian empires became weaker creating an Islamic Empire
Jihad– struggle in the way of God.
This is the the Muslims duty to work for the triumphs of Islam.
Used as an excuse for common Muslim terrorists, not accurate. Remember, people can manipulate text to fit their needs.

7. End of the Caliphs
Ali was assassinated in 661 over a struggle for power
Umayyad family began to divide Muslim community
After Abu Bakr’s death, Ali (Muhammad’s son in law) was eventually put into power, in 656.

8. The Umayyads Mu’awiyah, governor of Syria became caliph
Moved the capital from Medina to Damascus (modern-day Syria)
Conquered and converted the Berbers in N Africa
Crossed into Spain and was finally stopped at the Battle of Tours 732 in Gaul (France)
Also, in 732, attempted to take Constantinople but failed
750, Arab advance paused

10. Islam Splits
Hussein (2nd son of Ali) opposed the Umayyad interpretation of the Caliphs
Led to the formation of two parties
Sunnis:
Believed that the caliph should be chosen from among the umma
Shi’a (Shiites):
Believed Ali and his heirs were the rightful successors to Muhammad
Basically a giant argument, over who was the rightful Caliphate.
Hussein (Ali’s Son) led an uprising and encouraged his followers to rise against the Umayyad. His tiny army was easily defeated.
This power struggle leads to the Sunni/Shia Split that still persist today.
Shia– thinks that the Lineage of Ali is the rightful heir to the caliphate
Not all Muslims agreed with Umayyad rule was accepted it.

11. Abbasid Caliphate
Moved the capital to Baghdad - more central to trade in the region
Ruled over the Islamic Golden Age- prosperous era when many significant Islamic contributions were made
Abbasids emphasized the importance of judges, merchants, and gov. officials. This spread their influence into their newly acquired territories.
Many people during this time started to intermarry with the acquired territories as well.
Implemented a prime minister, known as a vizier (advisor to the Caliph)

14. Fatimid Dynasty
Independent kingdoms began to arise in the Abbasid Empire
Rival dynasty that controlled North Africa and the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula

15. Seljuk Turks Nomads from Central Asia had converted to Islam
Served as soldiers under the Abbasid
As the Abbasid weakened the Turks took Baghdad and most of Asia Minor

16. Ottoman Turks Originally vassals of the Seljuk Turks
Formed their own state in 1280
After Mongol occupation of the Middle East the Ottomans were able to defeat the Byz Empire and take parts of SE Europe

18. Islamic Contributions
Why is this important?
Kept learning alive during the Dark Ages (after the fall of the Roman Empire)

19. - Introduction
As the Islamic Empire grew, more and more people came into contact with one another
This cultural diffusion led to many advances

20. - Architecture Dome of the Rock
Islamic shrine on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem
Dome structure similar to Persian, Greek, and Byzantine architecture.
Believed to be the spot from which Muhammad ascended to heaven
This site is sacred to both Jewish and Islamic people, therefore it is the cause of a great deal of current strife

21. - Education
Desire to discover the truth and develop a practical understanding of the world
House of Wisdom (Baghdad, Iraq)
Early university
Library, school, & translation center
Brought together people from all over the world
Site of most Muslim learning
Translated texts from Greece, India, & Persia

22. - Medicine Al-Razi: Persian physician
Wrote comprehensive Book of Medicine, that combines medical knowledge from Greece, Arabia, & India
Believed patients would recover faster if they breathed clean air
Influenced location of early hospitals

23. - Mathematics
You’re Welcome!
Al- Khwarizmi: developed algebra (Al-jabr- “the addition of
one thing to another”)
Based his ideas on those of Aristotle & Indian mathematicians
Adapted Indian numbering system
Concept of zero

24. - Art Created mosaics and wrote in calligraphy
No depictions of Allah or Muhammad

25. - Language Developed the Arabic language & alphabet
2nd most used language in the world
Only language considered to be the true language of Allah.

26. Why were these Islamic cultural contributions important?