1. Islam: the First Global Civilization
Chapter 6

2. Rise & Spread of Islam: Chapter Summary
7th century CE (600’s):
Followers of Muhammad surged from Arabian peninsula
Created first global civilization by incorporating elements of Greece, Persia, and Egypt
Provided links for exchange between “civilized” centers
United in belief of Muhammad’s message
Divided by cultural and political rivalries
Strong until 14th century (1300’s)

3. Pre-Islamic Arabian World
Arabian peninsula inhabited by Bedouins
Larger agricultural/commercial areas flourished in south by coast
Social organization:
Mobile, kin-related clans→larger tribal units
Shaykhs=leaders—elected, typically wealthy
Free warriors and slaves
Interclan rivalry weakened Bedouin society

4. Pre-Islamic Arabian World
Cities developed
Trading system linked Med. to east Asia
Mecca:
Most important city
Founded by Umayyad clan
Site of religious shrine Ka’ba
Medina
Second most important city
Agricultural oasis and commercial center

5. Pre-Islamic Arabian World
Status of women
Didn’t wear veils
Not secluded
Able to have multiple marriage partners
Men remained superior
Property control, inheritance, and divorce
Did drudge labor
More restricted in urban areas

6. Pre-Islamic Arabian World
Culture not highly developed due to isolation and environment
Focused on orally transmitted poetry
Religion=blend of animism and polytheism
Some tribes recognized Allah (supreme deity) but largely ignored
Main focus=spirits and nature
Religion and ethics NOT connected

7. Life of Muhammad Died in 632 Born approx. 570 CE
Orphan, raised by father’s family
Became merchant
Allowed him to observe society undermining clan unity
Encountered monotheism
Dissatisfied with his life so went into hills to meditate
In 610, he started having his revelations
Later written down in Arabic and collected as Qur’an
Formed basis of Islam
Died in 632
Unity threatened but reunited in 633 under Umayyad empire

8. Arabs and Islam Islam provided way to unite Arabs
System of ethics capable of healing social rifts
Strong and wealthy responsible for taking care of weak and poor
Distinct, indigenous monotheism that supplanted and ended clan feuds
Umma=community of the faithful
Transcended old tribal clan boundaries
All believers equal before Allah
All faced last judgment by stern but compassionate God
Profits teachings and Qur’an is basis for laws regulating the Muslim faithful

9. Universal Elements of Islam
Monotheism
Legal codes
Egalitarianism
Strong sense of community
Five Pillars
Acceptance of Islam
Prayer 5x per day
Fasting during month of Ramadan
Paying zakat for charity
Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca)

10. Empire of the Umayyads
After Muhammad’s death, campaigns began outside of Arabia
Religious zeal and weak opponents allowed for victories in Mesopotamia, north Africa, and Persia
New empire=Umayyad
Ruled by warrior elite
From 640’s, gained naval supremacy in eastern Med.
Extended conquest to southern Europe (stopped at Poitiers in 732)
Byzantines did hold back conquest in Asia Minor and Balkan terrorties

11. Motivation for Arab Conquest
Sense of common cause
Rich booty and tribute gained often were more of a motivation than spreading the faith
Later, converts were exempt from taxes and shared spoils of victory

12. Problem of Succession
When Muhammad died, he had not established a procedure for selecting a new leader
After a troubled process, Abu Bakr was chosen as caliph
The murder of the third caliph, Uthman, caused a succession struggle
Earliest followers supported Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law (Shi’a)
Still support the right of his descendents after his murder in 661
Umayyads were Sunnis
Permanent division within Islam between the Sunnis and Shi’as to this day

13. “People of the Book” First conquered people were Jews and Christians
Later included Zoroastrians and Hindus
All termed Dhimmis
Had to pay taxes but allowed to retain own religion and social organization

14. Family and Gender Roles in the Umayyad Age
Initially, favorable status of women
Muhammad and Qur’an stressed moral and ethical dimensions of marriage
Adultery by BOTH partners denounced
Men allowed to have four wives but had to treat them all equally
Strengthened women’s legal rights in inheritance and divorce
Both sexes equal before Allah
Strong status did not endure

15. Umayyad Decline Decline of Umayyad
Luxury from spoils of war made military weak
Also had retreat from Islamic virtues which led to revolts
Abbasid clan took over and created Islamic empire

16. Islamic (Abbasid) Empire
Series of fundamental changes
Increased bureaucratic expansion
Absolutism
Constant presence of royal executioner symbolized absolute power of rulers over people
Luxurious living
Moved capital from Damascus to Baghdad
Once in power, turned against Shi’a and supported less tolerant Sunnis

17. Islamic (Abbasid) Empire
First flowering of Islamic learning
Artistic contributions first in mosque and palace construction
Learning flourished in:
Religion
Law
Philosophical discourse
Science
Math

18. Global Connections First global civilization
Incorporated many linguistic and ethnic groups into one culture
Created Islam
Absorbed precedents from earlier civilizations in:
Religion
Politics
Art
Science
Innovative thinking influenced Europe, Africa & Asia

19. Grand Mosque of Damascus (present day)
Built by Umayyad empire

20. Dome of the Rock
Temple Mount
Jerusalem, Israel

22. Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey (Turks conquered in 1453)

23. Next time….
Chapter 7: Abbasid Decline & Spread of Islam to South & Southeast Asia
Chapter 8: African Civilizations & Spread of Islam