The Rise and Spread The Rise and Spread of Islamof Islam

Chapter 8Chapter 8

Why Important???Why Important???

Islam spread quickly to become one Islam spread quickly to become one of the world’s most popular religionsof the world’s most popular religions– Remains so to this dayRemains so to this day

Muslim merchants played a crucial Muslim merchants played a crucial role in trade and cultural diffusionrole in trade and cultural diffusion

GeographyGeography Islam originated on the Islam originated on the

Arabian PeninsulaArabian Peninsula Mostly desertMostly desert Cities on coasts or near Cities on coasts or near

an oasis, thrived on an oasis, thrived on tradetrade– Mecca and Medina most Mecca and Medina most

imptimpt BedouinBedouin tribes tribes

controlled caravan controlled caravan routes b/t citiesroutes b/t cities– Nomadic, clans based on Nomadic, clans based on

kinshipkinship

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Pre-Islamic ArabiaPre-Islamic Arabia

Polytheistic religion, animisticPolytheistic religion, animistic– Some Jewish and Christian influenceSome Jewish and Christian influence

Polygamy Polygamy – Some allowed women multiple husbands Some allowed women multiple husbands

(polyandry)(polyandry) Relatively high status for womenRelatively high status for women Poetry main form of artistic Poetry main form of artistic

expressionexpression

Rise of IslamRise of Islam

By 500’s, Arabia was very By 500’s, Arabia was very fragmentedfragmented– Rivalry among BedouinRivalry among Bedouin– Christianity and Judaism increased in Christianity and Judaism increased in

influenceinfluence Religious disunityReligious disunity

Prophets began to call for unity Prophets began to call for unity among the Arabsamong the Arabs– Believed a common religion was neededBelieved a common religion was needed

MuhammadMuhammad Born around 570Born around 570 Educated to be a merchantEducated to be a merchant

– Moved to Mecca as an adolescentMoved to Mecca as an adolescent– Heavily influenced by monotheistic religion (Judaism and Heavily influenced by monotheistic religion (Judaism and

Christianity)Christianity) 610: received revelation from Allah610: received revelation from Allah

– Believed his revelation was the final word of godBelieved his revelation was the final word of god Following, yet superseding, those of Noah, Abraham, Following, yet superseding, those of Noah, Abraham,

Moses, and JesusMoses, and Jesus Muhammad’s beliefs and teachings became the Muhammad’s beliefs and teachings became the

basis of a new religion- Islambasis of a new religion- Islam– Beliefs and teachings recorded in Arabic to compose a Beliefs and teachings recorded in Arabic to compose a

holy scripture known as the Qur’anholy scripture known as the Qur’an

http://theinsanityofthesane.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/quran1.jpghttp://theinsanityofthesane.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/quran1.jpg

MuhammadMuhammad

His teaching made him unpopular His teaching made him unpopular among the polytheists in Meccaamong the polytheists in Mecca– Fled to MedinaFled to Medina– Began to buildup base of followers; became Began to buildup base of followers; became

skilled politician and spiritual leaderskilled politician and spiritual leader– Islamic community became known as Islamic community became known as ummaumma

Muhammad’s teaching quickly spread Muhammad’s teaching quickly spread – Unified the people of ArabiaUnified the people of Arabia

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Teaching of MuhammadTeaching of MuhammadTenets of IslamTenets of Islam

Muslim: follower of IslamMuslim: follower of Islam 5 Pillars of Islam5 Pillars of Islam

– Acceptance of Allah as one true god and Acceptance of Allah as one true god and Muhammad as his prophetMuhammad as his prophet

– Prayer 5 times daily in direction of MeccaPrayer 5 times daily in direction of Mecca– Fasting during day-light hours of RamadanFasting during day-light hours of Ramadan– Charity for the less fortunateCharity for the less fortunate– Hajj- pilgrimage to Holy LandHajj- pilgrimage to Holy Land

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Beliefs of IslamBeliefs of Islam

Islam:Islam:– Is monotheisticIs monotheistic– promotes equality of all believers in the eyes of promotes equality of all believers in the eyes of

GodGod– Encourages charity for the poor Encourages charity for the poor – Belief in judgment in the afterlife (paradise or Belief in judgment in the afterlife (paradise or

hell)hell) Because its beliefs were similar to those of Because its beliefs were similar to those of

Judaism and Christianity, Islam was an Judaism and Christianity, Islam was an appealing religion that spread quicklyappealing religion that spread quickly

CaliphateCaliphate

632: death of Muhammad632: death of Muhammad– Uncertainty about leadership in Muslim Uncertainty about leadership in Muslim

communitycommunity– Some renounced faith due to lack of leadershipSome renounced faith due to lack of leadership

CaliphCaliph: political and religious successor of : political and religious successor of MuhammadMuhammad– Some wanted Ali (Muhammad’s first cousin) to Some wanted Ali (Muhammad’s first cousin) to

take overtake over– Others felt Abu Bakr (Muhammad’s father-in-Others felt Abu Bakr (Muhammad’s father-in-

law) would be betterlaw) would be better

Sunni-Shi’a SplitSunni-Shi’a Split

Sunni Muslims supported Abu Bakr Sunni Muslims supported Abu Bakr and the Ummaya clanand the Ummaya clan

Shi’a (Shi’ite) Muslims supported Ali Shi’a (Shi’ite) Muslims supported Ali to be caliphto be caliph

The Sunni-Shi’ite conflict still The Sunni-Shi’ite conflict still continues to this day.continues to this day.– Over time the two groups developed Over time the two groups developed

many differences that makes their union many differences that makes their union even more difficulteven more difficult

Ummayad CaliphateUmmayad Caliphate

Abu Bakr of the Ummaya clan Abu Bakr of the Ummaya clan became caliph (from 632-634)became caliph (from 632-634)– Began to standardize the Islamic faith, Began to standardize the Islamic faith,

oversee compilation of the Qur’an, oversee compilation of the Qur’an, reassert Muslim authority among the reassert Muslim authority among the ArabsArabs

– Temporary peaceTemporary peace

Ummayad CaliphateUmmayad Caliphate

632-750, ruled over an Arab Empire632-750, ruled over an Arab Empire– Capital in Damascus, SyriaCapital in Damascus, Syria

Major Features of Ummayad CaliphateMajor Features of Ummayad Caliphate– Est. Arabic as official languageEst. Arabic as official language– Muslims enjoyed highest social positionMuslims enjoyed highest social position

Only pay taxes for charity Only pay taxes for charity Most people were Most people were dhimmidhimmi (non-Muslim) (non-Muslim)

– paid the bulk of taxespaid the bulk of taxes

– Very little attempt to convert non-MuslimsVery little attempt to convert non-Muslims

Muslim ConquestsMuslim Conquests

Muslims began to engage in Muslims began to engage in campaigns against neighboring campaigns against neighboring empiresempires– To gain wealth and glorify their religionTo gain wealth and glorify their religion– At first, not interested in conversionAt first, not interested in conversion

Seized territory from Byzantine Seized territory from Byzantine EmpireEmpire

Territorial gains in: Syria, Egypt, Territorial gains in: Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, Spain, Algeria, MoroccoTunisia, Spain, Algeria, Morocco

Ummayad CaliphateUmmayad Caliphate

Gender/Family under UmmayadGender/Family under Ummayad– Teachings of Muhammad influenced the role of Teachings of Muhammad influenced the role of

womenwomen Muhammad taught respect for women, saw marriage Muhammad taught respect for women, saw marriage

as important social institutionas important social institution Saw men & women as equals in eyes of AllahSaw men & women as equals in eyes of Allah

– Under Ummayad, men were allowed 4 wivesUnder Ummayad, men were allowed 4 wives So long as he could support them equallySo long as he could support them equally

– Very little evidence of the use of veils during Very little evidence of the use of veils during the Ummayad Caliphatethe Ummayad Caliphate

– Women involved in various occupations (law, Women involved in various occupations (law, commerce, scholars)commerce, scholars)

Abbasid CaliphateAbbasid Caliphate

750-1258750-1258 750: Ummayad overthrown during 750: Ummayad overthrown during

rebellionrebellion– Abbas family took over and established Abbas family took over and established

the Abbasid Caliphatethe Abbasid Caliphate Capital at BaghdadCapital at Baghdad Abbasid was a “Golden Age” for IslamAbbasid was a “Golden Age” for Islam

– Court-life, literature, learningCourt-life, literature, learning

Abbasid CaliphateAbbasid Caliphate

Dramatic increase in converts to Dramatic increase in converts to Islam during the AbbasidIslam during the Abbasid– Missionary work to promote conversionMissionary work to promote conversion

Urban expansion; Baghdad became a Urban expansion; Baghdad became a cultural center and economic hubcultural center and economic hub

Trade boomedTrade boomed– Use of Use of lateenlateen (triangular) sails on ships (triangular) sails on ships

known as known as dhowsdhows Extensive trade Extensive trade increased wealthincreased wealth

Arabian Arabian DhowDhow

trade shiptrade ship

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Lateen (triangular) sails

Abbasid CaliphateAbbasid Caliphate

Cities were filled with artisan and Cities were filled with artisan and craft shopscraft shops– Unskilled labor performed by slavesUnskilled labor performed by slaves

Slavery was not a hereditary conditionSlavery was not a hereditary condition Slaves were Non-Muslims, usually captives Slaves were Non-Muslims, usually captives

from Africafrom Africa– Qur’an forbids enslavement of Muslims, Jews, Qur’an forbids enslavement of Muslims, Jews,

Christians, or ZoroastriansChristians, or Zoroastrians

Islamic LawIslamic Law

Over time, Muslim scholars developed Over time, Muslim scholars developed an Islamic law codean Islamic law code– Based on traditions passed down since Based on traditions passed down since

times of Muhammadtimes of Muhammad Islamic law known as Islamic law known as Shari’aShari’a

– Designed to promoted legal stability and Designed to promoted legal stability and a common moral code for all Muslim a common moral code for all Muslim followersfollowers Followed to varying degrees and in slightly Followed to varying degrees and in slightly

different forms throughout the Islamic worlddifferent forms throughout the Islamic world

Islamic LearningIslamic Learning

Muslim scholars preserved and recopied Muslim scholars preserved and recopied classical works from the Greek and classical works from the Greek and Hellenistic periodHellenistic period

Adopted the Indian Numeral system & Adopted the Indian Numeral system & spread itspread it– Made advances in algebra and trigonometryMade advances in algebra and trigonometry

Architecture became a form of artistic Architecture became a form of artistic expressionexpression– Mosques with elaborate mosaics insideMosques with elaborate mosaics inside– Elaborate palaces for entertaining the eliteElaborate palaces for entertaining the elite

Dome of Rock- JerusalemDome of Rock- Jerusalemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome_of_the_Rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome_of_the_Rock

Declining Position of WomenDeclining Position of Women

During the Abbasid, the position of women During the Abbasid, the position of women began to declinebegan to decline– Harems very popularHarems very popular– Veiling became a common practice and women Veiling became a common practice and women

were secludedwere secluded Only slave women allowed to appear in public Only slave women allowed to appear in public

unescortedunescorted

However, women did have some rightsHowever, women did have some rights– Own property, right to divorce and remarry, Own property, right to divorce and remarry,

right to testify in court, and the right to go on right to testify in court, and the right to go on hajjhajj

Decline of Abbasid Decline of Abbasid CaliphateCaliphate

By mid-800’s Abbasid began to lose powerBy mid-800’s Abbasid began to lose power– Internal unrest (Sunni-Shi’ite conflict)Internal unrest (Sunni-Shi’ite conflict)– Courtly excess became a financial drainCourtly excess became a financial drain– Conflicts over succession led to civil warsConflicts over succession led to civil wars– Revolts by non-Muslims and Turkish slaves Revolts by non-Muslims and Turkish slaves

(Mamluks)(Mamluks) Abbasid also faced outside pressuresAbbasid also faced outside pressures

– Seljuk Turks (nomadic group) seized territory Seljuk Turks (nomadic group) seized territory to create the Seljuk Sultanateto create the Seljuk Sultanate

– CrusadersCrusaders– Mongol InvasionMongol Invasion

Abbasid eventually fell in 1258Abbasid eventually fell in 1258

Spread of IslamSpread of Islam

Islam quickly spread beyond the Islam quickly spread beyond the Muslim EmpireMuslim Empire– Aided by tradeAided by trade

Expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa, Expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa, the Swahili Coast of East Africa, parts the Swahili Coast of East Africa, parts of Europe and Asiaof Europe and Asia

More on this later!!!More on this later!!!