Expansion of Islam

1. Expansion of Islam Chapter 10 Section 2

2. The First Three Caliphs C – caliphs = successor of the Prophet A – acted as leaders of Muslim military and government L – leadership of the caliphs allowed Islam to spread I – Islam spreads outside of the Arabian Peninsula P – prophet = Muhammad – he was the last one H – how to choose the leader after Muhammad? CALIPH – leader of a Muslim community but not a prophet

3. 1. Abu Bakr (632-634) • Friend of Muhammad’s; early convert to Islam • Expanded Muslim community into parts of Byzantine and Persian empires Faced two main problems • False prophets claimed to be successors of Muhammad • Secession (leaving the community)of Arabic tribes from Muslim community

4. 2. Umar (634-644) • Muhammad’s father-in-law • Defined – Dar-al-Islam: area where Islam is practiced AND Dar-al-Harb: areas that threatened Islam • Successful in expanding Muslim community; empire grew to include Arabia, Iraq, western Persia, Syria, Palestine, and parts of North Africa • Expanded use of jihad: struggle against oppression • Gave more structure to administration of Muslim state; created tax system

5. 3. Uthaman (644-656) • Muhammad’s son-in-law; wealthy merchant • First years of rule were peaceful, but later had financial problems • Ordered the compilation of a definitive Quran • Murdered by Egyptian rebels; beginning of open political and religious conflict in Muslim community

6. Sunni / Shiite Similar beliefs: follow the 5 pillars, use the Quran and believe in Muhammad Split comes from a political, not a spiritual conflict – Who will lead after Muhammad? – this is critical in Islam because there is no separation between religion and government!

7. Shiite • Smaller group (between 10 and 15% of Muslims) • Believe that the leader should be a descendent of Muhammad • Call religious leaders Imam and often venerate Muhammad’s family

8. Sunni • Larger population (85-90%) • Say there is no hereditary privilege related to leadership • Any man can lead if he is pious (religiously devoted) and a member of Muhammad’s tribe

9. Umayyad Dynasty (680-750) • Started by Mu’awiya • Capital moved to Damascus in Syria (heart of the empire) • 14 Caliphs followed Mu’awiya • Umayyad Empire stretched from Spain to central Asia

10. Umayyads – administrative reforms • Caliph appointed governors to rule far-flung provinces • Governors ruled from strong garrison towns • Spoils from victories helped finance Umayyad government • Instituted a three-level tax system: • Muslims: paid zakat • Muslim converts: paid a higher tax than Muslims • Non-Muslims: paid highest tax

11. Umayyad Achievements • Ruled a vast empire with important trading cities • Developed innovations in the building of canal and irrigation systems • Perfected mosque construction techniques Examples: GREAT MOSQUE OF DAMASCUS DOME OF THE ROCK MOSQUE IN JERUSALEM

12. Umayyad Downfall • Many devout Muslims opposed extravagant lifestyles of Umayyad rulers • Persians resented secondary status of Umayyad empire • Abbasids (led by Abbas) of Persia revolted against Damascus • After defeating Umayyad armies, Abbasids took control of Muslim empire

13. The Abbasids (750 – 1258) Baghdad: center of the empire (new capital city) • Ideally located between Tigris and Euphrates rivers • Served as crossroads for land and water trade • Circular city protected by moat, three concentric walls, imposing gates and sentry towers • Filled with shops, markets and businesses

14. Abbasid Achievements • Compiled standard code of law for Muslim world called Sharia • Developed sophisticated system of banking using checks • Encouraged learning by building libraries and universities • Excelled in fields of medicine, astronomy, math, chemistry • Advanced navigational and sailing techniques • Brought Islam to Indonesia

15. Abbasids Downfall • Exceeded Umayyads in terms of lavish living • Never able to maintain complete control over enormous Dar al-Islam • Several independent states separated from Abbasids