1. The Rise of Islam 600-1200

2. Arabian Peninsula Before Muhammad Most Arabs Settled / Nomads a minority –Caravan cities caused interaction between Byzantine / Sasanid Empires & Ethiopia Nomad Religion = Polytheistic –Familiar with Judaism, Christianity & Zoroast. Mecca = Caravan City –Between Yemen & Syria –Ka’ba = Cubical Shrine w/idols inside

3. Muhammad & Foundation of Islam Orphan born in Mecca –Became involved in the caravan trade The Last Prophet –In 610CE received revelations (1 God = Allah) –Submission = Salvation –622 fled to Medina / Formed a single community of believers (umma) The Succession of the Caliph –Abu Bakr (Father-in-law) Goals = Standardization: 5 Pillars & Creation of an Islamic State –Civil War over 3 rd Caliphate = 3 Rival Sects Sunni’s= Abu Bakr Shi’ites=Ali (Muhammad’s son-in-law & 1 st cousin) Kharijite (Militant followers of Ali)

4. The Rise & Fall of the Caliphate 632-1258 Period of Islamic Conquests 634-711 –Possible reasons: Greed, religions fanaticism, weakness of enemies, talent of Muslim leaders, structure of Arab Society, Garrison Towns Umayyad & Abbasid Caliphates 661-850 –Arab Empire not a Muslim Empire built on structures of Sasanid & Byzantine Empires –Umayyad Overthrown 750 –Abbasid Caliphate 750-1258 –Cultural Center of Baghdad Political Fragmentation 850-1050 (Mamluks) Attacks = Crusades, Turkish & Mongol Invasions

6. Islamic Civilization Islamic Law = Shari’a –Based on collections of reports known as Hadith Conversion & Urbanization were related Achievements in Medicine & Astronomy Women –Veiled & secluded though could be influencial –Only slave women could be in public unchaperoned –Rights under Islamic Law Right to inherit & own prop. Right to divorce Right to remarry Testify in Court / Pilgrimage –Supposed to live as Khadija & Fatima (Muhammad’s 1 st wife & daughter)