Expansion of Islam & Islamic Culture

Expansion of Islam & Islamic Culture

Islam • The word Islam means “Submission to the one God (Allah).” • The world’s fastest-growing and second-largest religion • Central teachings are derived from the Quran, the primary sacred text and Islam’s earthly center.

Muhammad • Muhammad was born about 570 c.e. into the leading tribe of Mecca.. • He was a hard-working child who began his life as a shepherd and later went into the trading business. • He was a caravan manager for a wealthy widow, Khadija, whom he eventually married.

Muhammad as a prophet • Citizens of Mecca were hostile to the message of one god • Muhammad fled north to Yathrib(Medina) • This was known as the Hijra, an event on which the Muslims base their calendar. • Most of Arabia were converted to Islam by the time of Muhammad’s death in 632.

Allah • Abraham is the father of the Arab people. • Moses and Jesus are also revered. • Muhammad is the last and the “seal” of the prophets. • Muslims consider human nature as essentially good, sin occurs when people forget their natural goodness.

The Five Pillars of Islam • Confession of faith in one God and acknowledgment of Muhammad as a unique prophet. • Prayer 5 times a day. • Fasting during Ramadan • Wealth sharing - 2.5 percent of their gross income. • Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a person’s life.

Expansion and Varieties of Islam • Within one century after Muhammad’s death, Islamic civilization spread throughout the Middle East, Persia, North Africa, and almost all of Spain. • Currently, the greatest concentration of Muslims is across the northern half of Africa, all of the Middle East, southwestern and South Asia, and the islands of Malaysia and Indonesia.

Sunni and Shi’ism • The majority of Muslims are Sunni. • They follow the established custom, or sunnah, meaning the Sunnah of the prophet, Muhammad. • Shi’ismbelieves in Imams. They are religious leaders who are direct descendants of Muhammad. • Iran and Iraq are Shi’ites.

Sufis • The term comes from the Islamic word suf -the coarse wool garment that is worn by Sufis. • Sufism strives to experience Allah as immanent - dwelling within each worshipper. • The Sufi experiences oneness with Allah and gains spiritual fortitude. • Sufis are not necessarily popular among Muslims. • Sufis live monastic lives with a shaykh as their head.

Arab empire was generally prosperous Based on extensive trade by ship & camel Camel caravans went to Morocco in far west to countries beyond Caspian Sea Trade began to prosper during Abassid dynasty Large magnificent cities began to prosper, such as Baghdad, Cairo, Damascus, Cordoba Islamic cities had their own physical appearance Palace & mosques = most impressive buildings Fountains, public baths, bazaars Islamic Civilization

Muslims live their lives in accordance with Allah’s teachings revealed in the Quran Islam states that all people are equal in the eyes of Allah; was not always the case in the Arab empire. There was a well defined upper class of ruling families & wealthy merchants Slaves were not considered equal - Muslims could not be slaves Islamic Society

Difficult finding leadership after Muhammad’s death Abu Bakr = Muhammad’s father-in-law was chosen to be successor/ called caliph = successor to Muhammad Bakr & Muhammad used Jihad to spread movement of Islam Jihad = “struggle in way of God” Creation of Arab Empire

First 2 caliphs after Abu Bakr were killed In 656 Muhammad’s son-in-law, Ali, became caliph but was assassinated 5 years later Arab Empire Shrine of Imam Ali Najaf, Iraq; third holiest site in Islam

Umayyad Dynasty • In 661, general Mu’awiyah became caliph • Was known for only using force if necessary • Made the office of caliph hereditary • 8th century Arabs conquered & converted the Berbers = lived on coast of North Africa • By 725 Spain was Muslim state • Arabs were defeated at Battle of Tours ending European expansion Mosque in Cordoba, Spain

In 717, Muslims attacked Constantinople, but their navy was defeated by Byzantines Internal struggles led to revolts The struggles caused Islam to split into two groups, the Shiite & Sunni Split continues today….Most Muslims are Sunnis, but much of Iraq & Iran consider themselves Shiites Umayyad Dynasty

Greatest extent of the Umayyad

In 750, Abu al-Abbas overthrew the Umayyad dynasty & founded Abbasid which lasted until 1258 In 762, Abbasid built new capital of Baghdad on the Tigris river/ location took advantage of river & caravan traffic Baghdad became center of a huge trade empire Abbasid Dynasty

Abbasid experienced problems; fighting over succession of caliph Vast wealth led to financial corruption Shortage of qualified Arabs to fill government positions allowed non-Arabs to become a dominant force in the military & bureaucracy which led to disintegration Rulers of provinces began to break away Abbasid Dynasty Falls

Greatest Extent of the Abbisids

Expansion of Islam & Islamic Culture