Unit 7 – The Islamic World Lesson #2: Spread of Islam

1. Unit 7 – The Islamic WorldLesson #2: Spread of Islam

2. Warm Up!!! • For today’s warm up, please answer the following questions in complete sentences: • What are the ‘rules’ of Islam called? • Identify all of the ‘rules’ of Islam. Please provide a one sentence description of each ‘rule’. • In what geographic region of the world did Islam originate?

3. Early Teachings • Muhammad began preaching Islam in Mecca, but was met with resistance • Local leaders believed Muhammad to be a threat to their power and prosperity • Feared Mecca would lose its role as a pilgrimage location

4. As a result of persecution, Muhammad decided to flee Mecca • Hejira: Migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina (“city of the Prophet”) in 622 • Became a political, religious, and military leader who united most of the Arabian peninsula under Islam • Islamic ideas spread through trade routes between Medina and Mecca • Muhammad returned to Mecca and the people converted to Islam • Muhammad died in 632 after returning to Mecca

5. Rise of the Caliphs • Muhammad failed to name a successor, so the Muslim community elected leaders, known as caliphs (spiritual leaders of Islam) • The area controlled by the caliph was known as the caliphate

6. Four followers of Muhammad (“Rightly Guided Caliphate”) served as caliphs following Muhammad’s death: Abu-Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali • Used the Qur’an and teachings of Muhammad to teach and spread Islam • Continued to expand the influence of Islam by using strong military force • Spread into the Fertile Crescent, Iran, and Central Asia as the Byzantine and Persian empires became weaker creating an Islamic Empire

7. Rise of the Caliphs (cont.) • Ali was assassinated in 661 over a struggle for power • Lack of stability-three of the first four caliphs were assassinated

8. Major Caliphates • The Islamic Empire was controlled by ruling families (caliphates) • After the death of Muhammad, Muslim leaders encouraged jihad (“holy war”) to spread the faith-spread through most of Egypt and North Africa, Spain, and into France.

9. Umayyad Caliphate • Established a hereditary system to chose future caliphs • Moved the capital from Medina to Damascus (modern-day Syria) • Easier to rule the vast empire, but many felt it was too far from holy land • Abandoned traditional life of caliphs and lived a life of luxury

10. Islam Splits • The question over leadership and actions of the Umayyad led to a split into two groups: • Sunnis: “People of Tradition and Community” • Believed that the first four caliphs were chosen correctly • Majority of Muslims today • Shi’a (Shi’ites): “Party of Ali” • Believed Ali and his heirs were the rightful successors to Muhammad • Believed all caliphs should be direct descendents of Muhammad

11. The most serious threat to the empire was the split between Sunnis and Shi’ites over control of the Islamic world • This split between Sunnis and Shi’a has been a source of conflict in the Muslim world since the death of Ali. • Abbasid Caliphate • The Umayyads were overthrown in 750 by the Abbasids (established the Abbasid Caliphate) • Advanced Islam as far as Tours in Northern France • Islamic army defeated by Charles Martel’s Frankish army in 732 at the Battle of Tours

12. Abbasid Caliphate, Cont’d • Moved the capital from Damascus to Baghdad (modern-day Iraq) - more central to trade in the region • Ruled over the Islamic Golden Age-prosperous era when many significant Islamic contributions were made

13. Fatimid Dynasty • Rival dynasty that controlled North Africa and the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula • Despite rivalry, Muslims worked together to control trade in the numerous ports along the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean • The Islamic Empire was a powerful and influential empire until 1258 when Baghdad was conquered by the Mongols.