The Spread of Islam

1. The Spread of Islam

2. Objectives • Student will demonstrate knowledge of Islamic civilization from about 600 to 1000 C.E. by • Assessing the influence of geography on Islamic economic, social, and political development, including the impact of conquest and trade • Identifying historical turning points that affected the spread and influence of Islamic civilization • Essential Questions • How did geography influence the rapid expansion of territory under Muslim rule? • How did political and cultural geography facilitate trade and cultural activity in the early Islamic lands? • What were some turning points that marked the spread of and influence of Islamic civilization?

3. Rapid spread of Islam • Islam swept across Arabian Peninsula in 10 years between the Hijrah and Muhammad’s death • Spread along trade routes from Mecca and Medina • Expanded great distances despite geographical barriers • Appeal • Clear and straightforward requirements for human conduct • Firm promises of heavenly reward • All Muslims spoke Arabic • Conversion • Non-violent • Toleration of Christian, Jews economically • Violent • After Muhammad’s death • Caliphs urged jihads “holy wars” to spread Islam

4. Succession of Muhammad • In 632 C.E., the prophet Muhammad passed away without naming a successor • The Muslim community elected Abu-Bakr as their new leader • Became the first caliph • The first four elected caliphs used the Qur’an and Muhammad’s leadership to guide them • called the rightly guided caliphs • Used military force to assert authority • Conquered the fertile crescent, parts of the Byzantine and Persian empires • By 750 C.E. empire over 6,000 miles • Reasons for military success • Faith of the Muslims soldiers • Armies were well-disciplined and expertly commanded • Weakness of the Byzantine and Persian empires • Persecution of Byzantine and Persian populations • Saw Muslims as liberators • Treatment of conquered peoples • Many conquered people converted to Islam • Appeal, didn’t have to pay a poll tax • Allowed others to retain religion

5. The slowing of Islamic Expansion • 700s • Use of “Greek Fire” by Byzantines • Prevented Muslim army from conquering Constantinople until 1453 C.E. • 732 C.E. • Battle of Tours • Charles Martel • Stopped Muslim expansion into Europe • Later Expansion • The Crusades • Jerusalem • Damascus

6. Internal Conflict • In 656 the third caliph Uthman was murdered and triggered a civil war • Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law became the 4th caliph • His rule was challenged • Ali was murdered in 661 C.E. • A family known as the Umayyads came to power • Set up a hereditary system of succession • Moved capital to Damascus, Syria • Some Arab Muslims were angry that the Umayyad's abandoned the simple life and surrounded themselves with wealth and ceremony • Led to a division in Muslim community

7. Division within Islam • A minority group resisted Umayyad rule • This group called the Shi’a • Believed the caliph needed to be a relative of Muhammad • Those who followed the rule of the Umayyad became known as the Sunni • Followers of Muhammad’s example • A third group called the Sufi pursued a life of poverty and devotion to a spiritual path • Tried to achieve direct contact with God through mystical means • Similar to Christian or Buddhist monks

8. Sunni Shia (Shi’ite) • caliph should be chosen by leaders of the Muslim community • viewed caliphs as leaders, not religious authorities • comprise 90% of Islam followers • believed that the only true successor to Muhammad were descendants of Muhammad’s daughter and son-in-law (Fatima and Ali) • believed descendants were divinely inspired • most are located in Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen

10. Rise of the Abbasid Dynasty • 750 C.E. • Shiites revolted against Umayyaads created own dynasty called “Abbassid” dynasty • Murdered remaining members of Umayyad family • One escaped and set up a dynasty in Spain, merged with Berber armies • Moved new capital to Baghdad in 762 C.E. • Location on a key trade route • Abbasid Dynasty • Built strong bureaucracy • Sent diplomats throughout the world • Caliphate would last from 750 C.E. to 1258 C.E. • Baghdad fell to the Mongols

11. Rival Groups • Independent Muslim states continued to spring up in smaller regions • Fatimid Dynasty • Named after Muhammad’s daughter Fatima • Began in North Africa and spread from Red Sea to western Arabia and Syria

12. Muslim Trade Network • Two major trading sea trading zones • Mediterranean Sea • Indian Ocean • Land network connected to the silk road • Contacts from China to Europe and Africa • Unification of Muslim world • Single language- Arabic • Currency- Abbasid dinar • To encourage flow of trade, Muslims set up banks throughout the empire • Early forms of credit and checks