ch. 10 muslim civilizations. section 1 the rise of islam
TRANSCRIPT
CH. 10
Muslim Civilizations
SECTION 1
The rise of Islam
Muhammad the Prophet
Born in Mecca (a thriving city of trade)
Worked as a Shepherd, later became a merchant
Married Khadija- a wealthy widowBecame known for his honesty in
business and was a devoted husband and father
Troubled by the moral ills of Meccan society
He would often escape to a cave to meditate
There he heard voice of Angel Gabriel- calling him the messenger of God
His wife encouraged him to follow the call1st convert to Islam
He devoted his life to spreading Islam
The Hijra
Many people feared Muhammad’s views- did not want to disrupt trade
622 Muhammad and followers were forced to flee Mecca and settled in Yathrib (later called Medina) Known as a hijra
In Medina, converted Muslims welcomed Muhammad and followers
War broke out between Muslims of Medina and Meccans
Muhammad defeated Meccans allowing him to return to Mecca in 630
He destroyed idols in the KaabaRededicated the Kaaba to Allah632 Muhammad died leaving no successor
Islam continued to spread
People of the Book
Muslims, Jew, and Christians worship the same God
Quran teaches Islam is God’s final and complete revelation Christian Bible contains portions of earlier revelations
Muslims consider Jews and Christians as “People of the Book” spiritually superior to polytheistic idol worshipers Historically had religious freedom
5 Pillars
1. Declaration of Faith
2. Daily Prayer
3. Alms for the Poor
4. Fast During Ramadan
5. Hajj
SECTION 2
Building a Muslim Empire
Abu Bakr
Abu Bakr became 1st caliph Muhammad’s father-in-law & early Islam
convertSome people removed their loyalty to
Islam because they were dependent on Muhammad’s personal command
Abu reunited Muslims based on their allegiance to Islam
Set out to convert remaining Arab tribes
Early Victories
The first four caliphsMarched from victory to victory – conquered the Byzantines and the Persians
Included cities of Damascus and Jerusalem
Sunnis vs Shiites
Split over who should succeed MuhammadShiites: Believed Ali (Muhammad’s son-in-
law) was designated his successor Divinely inspired religious leaders who were
empowered to read & interpret the QuranSunnis: Believed a pious male Muslim from
Muhammad’s tribe could be the leader of the religious community Viewed as a political leader of the religious
community without divine or prophetic function Majority of Muslims today
Sufis
3rd tradition of Islam emergedMuslim mystics that sought communion with God through meditation, fasting, and other rituals
Some were believed to have miraculous powers
Umayyad Caliphs
Sunni caliphs Capital in Damascus, SyriaExpanded Muslim landsTreated conquered people fairly
Did not try to convert “People of the Book” because of the tax they were required to pay
Problems with leadership lead to their decline
Rise of Abbasids
Shiites supported Abu al-Abbas- descended from Muhammad’s uncle
He had living Umayyad killed- only one escaped to Spain
Made many changes- Equality of all Muslims Reached its greatest wealth Moved capital from Damascus to Baghdad (Persian
territory)
Muslim Empire Declines
Empire began to fragment with different Shiite rulers coming to power
Seljuk Turks migrated into Middle East from Central Asia Took over Baghdad but left Abbasid caliph as a
figureheadMongols (Genghis Khan) left Central Asia
across Southwest Asia Looted and burned Baghdad, killing the last
Abbasid caliph Later Mongols converted to Islam
SECTION 3
Muslim Civilization’s Golden Age
Social and Economic Advances
Vast trading networkLed to new business practicesDeveloped a system of accountingAgriculture flourished
Social MobilityCould move up in society with
accomplishmentsHelped free slaves
Muslim Art, Literature, and Architecture
Reflected diverse tradition s of various people under the Muslim ruleGreeks, Romans, Persians, and Indians
Prized the art of storytelling1001 Nights- Best known collection of
stories Perfected skills in calligraphy
Centers of Learning
Established Baghdad as the greatest Muslim center of learningCairo, Cordoba, and Timbuktu are
also centers of learningScholars made advances in philosophy, mathematics, medicine, and other fields
Math & Medicine
Al-Khwarizmi pioneered algebraWrote a standard mathematics
textbook used in EuropePharmacists and Physicians had to pass a standardized test
Learned to treat cataracts Created medical textbooks
SEC. 4
India’s Muslim Empire
Delhi Sultanate
After fall of Gupta Empire- India fragmented Trade networks linked India to Middle East,
Southeast Asia, and ChinaSultan Muhmud of Ghanzi made Delhi his capital
Marked the start of Muslim rule in northern India Muslims successful because Hindu princes battled each
other instead of unitingMuslim rule brought changes to Indian
Government and society1398: Tamerlane invaded India
India again fragmented into Hindu and Muslim states
Muslims and Hindus Clash
Muslim conquest of Northern India inflicted disaster on Hindus and Buddhists Widespread destruction of Buddhist temples Many Hindus were killed In time relations became more peaceful
Eventually Delhi Sultans grew more tolerant of their Hindu subjects Hinduism was ultimately seen as a monotheistic
religion Hindus could practice their religion as long as they
paid their poll tax Lower caste Hindus began to convert to Islam
Mughal India
1526: Turkish and Mongol armies poured into India Led by Babur- claimed descendent of Genghis Khan
and TamerlaneMet sultan Ibrahim’s army North of Delhi
Defeated Delhi sultanate and set up Mughal (Persian word for Mongol) Dynasty
Stretched from Himalayas to the Deccan PlateauChief builder of Mughal empire was Babur’s
grandson- Akbar
Akbar the Great (1556-1605)
He was a Muslim, but gained support of Hindu subjects He opened government jobs to Hindus of all castes Treated Hindu princes as his partners in ruling the empire Ended the tax on non-Muslims, married a Hindu princess
Hoped to promote religious harmony through tolerance
Used paid officials instead of hereditary officeholders
Modernized the armyEncouraged international trade and introduced land
reforms
Akbar’s Successors
Akbar’s son- Jahangir: weaker ruler than his father Left most details of government to his wife Nur Jahan
Akbar’s grandson- Shah Jahan: high point of Mughal literature, art and architecture Had Taj Mahal built for his deceased wife and mother
of his 14 children Planned to have a twin structure built next to Taj
Mahal but his son usurped the throne and imprisoned until he died
SECTION 5
Ottomans VS Safavids
Ottoman Empire (Sunni Muslims)
They were a Turkish-speaking nomadic people who migrated from Central Asia into Northwest Asia Minor
Mehmet II succeeded in capturing Constantinople Cannons helped the Ottomans out power the
Byzantines Renamed the capital Istanbul
Suleiman: “The Lawgiver” & Suleiman the Magnificent Extended the Ottoman Empire to be the largest and
most powerful empire in Europe and the Middle East for centuries
After Suleiman’s death, the empire began to decline Killed two of his able sons because they were
suspected of treasonUnder Selim II (Suleiman’s son) the
bureaucracy became corruptEuropean advances left Ottomans behind Other empires began to conquer Ottoman
lands
Safavids (Shiite Muslims)
This dynasty had united an empire in Persia (Present day Iran)
Were forced into constant warfare over religion
Best known King- Shah Abbas (the Great)Used force and diplomacy against OttomansTolerated non-MuslimsSafavids declined after death of Shah Abbas