1. Islamic Empire,

2. Why Did Islam Spread?
Before his death in 632, Muhammad told his followers to spread the Muslim faith to the entire world
Abu Bakr, elected caliph in 632, invoked Jihad against all non-believers

3. What does “jihad” mean? Literally means “striving”; there are 3 types
Personal striving, to purify soul of evil
Verbal striving, for justice in name of Allah
Physical striving, whose meaning depends on context
In Qur’anic context, it means an Islamic holy war against unbelievers

4. Jihad Quotes from the Qur’an
“But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them, And seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent (accept Islam) and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity, then open the way for them; for God is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.”  
(Qur’an 9:5)

5. Jihad Quotes from the Qur’an
“O ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him)” (Quran-9:123)
“….Allah promises you much booty (spoils of war) that you will capture from the defeated infidels….”  (Qur’an 48:20)

6. Islam to 661 AD Rightly Guided Caliphs
First four caliphs after Muhammad
All four ordered jihad against non-believers
All four were assassinated by rivals
Next two caliphs continued expansion (also killed)

7. Expansion of Islamic State
By 642, Muslim Arabs had conquered from Egypt to Persia
By 656, from Tripoli to Pakistan
In 661, 4th Caliph, Ali, died – split into Sunni, Shia sects
By 711, Arabs invaded Spain, India
In 732, Arabs were defeated at Tours, in France

8. Sunni vs. Shia Sunni Muslims Shia Muslims
Means “Beaten Path” (follows traditions of the Prophet)
Majority (90%+) of Muslims
Reason for split: wanted to elect Caliph
Spiritual differences – Muslim leaders are human (make mistakes)
Means “Faction” (supporters of the prophet’s family)
Minority (10%) of Muslims, mainly in Iran
Reason for split: wanted to keep Caliph in Muhammad’s family
Spiritual difference – do not look to hadith for guidance; Muslim imams cannot make mistakes on Qur’anic issues

9. The Umayyad Dynasty (661-750)
Umayyads were Arab family from Mecca
Umayyads moved capital from Mecca to Damascus, in Syria – Why?
Continued conquests into Pakistan, Africa, Spain

10. Rise of the Abbasid Dynasty (750-1258)
Abbasids were Persian rebels against the Umayyads
Managed to kill all but one Umayyad prince, who fled to Spain and set up a kingdom there
Abbasids moved capital to Baghdad, in Iraq, b/c it was closer to major trade routes

11. Golden Age of Abbasid Caliphate
Baghdad grew as tribute flowed in
Abbasids established a strong central government to control empire
Scholars flocked to Baghdad b/c of the large libraries there
Translation of Chinese, Indian scientific works into Arabic
Collected knowledge, but didn’t effectively use it

12. Disintegration and Fragmentation
Eurasia, in 1000 AD
Abbasid dynasty eventually fell apart b/c it was too big to control from one center
Broke up into four parts
Abbasids
Fatimids, in Egypt
Seljuk Turks, who took over Holy Land (Crusaders fought against them)
Omayyad Spain

13. End of the Abbasid Dynasty
Abbasids eventually overcome by Mongols
Mongols destroyed irrigation systems of Persia, Iraq (desert today)
Mongols halted in 1260, by Egyptians (Mamlukes)