Section 3: Spread of Islam

Intro

Death of Muhammad in 632 meant Muslims faced a crisis

Political unity of the first Muslim empire was short-lived.

Geographic extent of first Muslim empire

Abu-bakr

Muhammad – named no successor Elected 1st caliph-632 AD

Caliph– successor Promised to uphold what Muhammad

stood for

Rightly Guided Caliphs

First four caliphs Used Koran and Muhammad’s actions as

guides to leadership Their rule is known as Caliphate

Abu-Bakr

Had promised Muslim community to uphold what Muhammad stood for

Groups began to break away

Used jihad (armed struggle) to control & expand Islam

Spread of Islam

Abu-bakr – controlled all of Arabia Umar – conquered Syria, Egypt, parts of

Persia (Sassanid) 750 AD – Empire extended from Atlantic

(Spain) to Indus valley

Success

People believed successes due to Allah's support

Well disciplined and commanded armies Weakness of other empires Attracted by message of hope & equality

Conquests

Muslim conquests of Jerusalem and Damascus

Trading rights in the Med. Access to conquer Europe and Africa.

Add Damascus

to Map

Treatment of conquered peoples

Retained their own religion Paid tax instead of military service Could not spread religion

Internal conflict

Uthman – murdered starting civil war Ali – murdered leading to split in religion

Umayyads

Muawiya-Governor of Syria Came to power after Ali’s death Moved capital to Damascus Began division of Islam

Split

Shi’a (Shiite) – “party” of Ali should be descended from Muhammad

Sunni – meaning follower’s of Muhammad's example

Death of Ali led to Sunni-Shi’a division

Sufi

Pursued life of poverty and devotion to spiritual path

Helped keep Muslims focused on Qur'an and traditions

Spain

Umayyad established new dynasty in Spain and North Africa after overthrow by

Abbasids joined Berbers Also known as

Moors

Berbers

Muslims of north Africa Moors

Advanced Muslim armies into France but halted in 732 AD at Battle of tours by Charles Martel

Muslim defeat at the battle of tours

Abbasid power

Abbasids overthrew Umayyad dynasty in 750

Geography – old Persia, Iran, Iraq, & central Asia

Islamic capital moved to Baghdad Bureaucracy conducted affairs of empire

(day to day)

Abbasid Empire

Rival groups

Abbasid caliphate lasts from 750-1258 Fatimid dynasty

resulted from growth of small Muslim states Connected to Abbasid by trade

Fatimid's Empire

Trade Network

Sea - Mediterranean Sea & Indian ocean Land-Connected Silk Road of China and

India to Europe and Africa Arabic language spread with Islam

and facilitated trade Single currency-Abbasid dinnar

Banks

Set up by money changers to encourage trade

issued letters of credit (sakk)

Muslim cities

Abbasid – Baghdad & Damascus Cordoba – Umayyad capital in Spain Cairo – Fatimid capital Jerusalem Baghdad

Fall of Baghdad

To the Mongols-1258 AD invaded Baghdad. The city was sacked and burned Baghdad remained uninhabited for centuries

Social classes

1. Upper class – Muslims at birth 2. Second class – converts to Islam 3. Protected peoples – Christians, Jews,

Zoroastrians 4. Lower classes-Slaves

Slavery was not based on race. prisoners of war non-muslims

Role of women

Men – managers of women's affairs, women are obedient

Equal as believers

Responsibilities of Women

Poor-worked in fields with husband Wealthy-supervised household & servants Rich or poor responsible for raising

children