The Rise of Islam

1. The Rise of Islam AP World History

2. The Arabs • Semitic speaking people of the Middle East • Nomads who moved regularly to find water and food • Settled in the Arabian peninsula • desert land • lack of rivers and lakes

3. The Arabs • Organized into independent clans/tribes to help one another with the harsh environment • Each tribe had a sheikh • Developed the caravan trade and were major carriers of trade from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea • Conflict over water & pasture land w/warrior culture

4. The Arabs • Early Arabs were polytheistic • Allah (Arabic for “God”) was worshipped as a supreme god over other gods • Each tribe had a sacred stone that was worshipped as a symbol of Allah

5. The Arabs • Mecca grew as a result of the caravan trade and the worship of the Black Stone (meteorite) in a central shrine called the Ka’bah • Tensions arose between Bedouins & the wealthier merchants from Mecca • Umayyad tribe controlled Mecca (monotheistic - believed in Allah)

6. The Life ofMuhammad

7. Early Life • Born in Mecca in 570 A.D. to a merchant family • Was an orphan, but grew up to become a caravan manager; contact with Jews & Christians • Married a rich widow named Khadija; bothered by class inequalities & rivalries • Experienced visions and was visited by the angel Gabriel • Came to believe that he received the final revelations of Allah (God)

8. Early Spread of Islam • His followers (only 30) were persecuted so he leaves on the Hegira (to Medina). • He gains support in Medina and among the Bedouin tribes. • The first Muslim community (Umma)is formed here.

9. Conquering of Mecca • 630 Muhammad conquers Mecca declares the Ka’bah a holy shrine. • He removes the tribal idols, but keeps the Black Stone. • Muhammad becomes the religious and political leader .

10. Why was Islam Attractive? Equality no intermediaries End to vendettas & feuds Single authority

11. Spread of Islam • Muhammad dies in 632 A.D. • Left no clear successor or heir • The position of Caliph (Muslim leader) is established • Abu Bakr (1st Caliph) – close friend/ 1st to convert outside of family • Sought to protect and spread Islam (Persia & Byzantine Empire) • Weakness of adversaries, unity of faith, contribute to Arab conquest

12. The 5 Pillars of Islam

13. Profession of Faith(Shahada) • “There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is His Prophet”

14. 2. Prayer(Salat) • Practiced five times a day, according to a set ritual.

15. 3. Almsgiving(Zakat) • One traditionally donates a portion of one’s income.

16. 4. Fasting(Sawm) • Done during daylight hours in the month of Ramadan.

17. 5. Pilgrimage(Hajj) • A pilgrimage to Mecca is made once during one’s lifetime.

19. Divisions Within Islam • Rival groups begin competing for the Caliphate • The 4th Caliph (Ali) was assassinated • Ali’s rival begins the Umayyad dynasty as the new caliph • Capital is moved from Medina to Damascus • Led to a split in Islam – Sunnis, supported the Umayyad (political succession) - and Shiites, supported Ali & (Muhammad’s bloodline/religious succession)

20. Sunnis Believed the caliph was primarily a leader and any devout Muslim could serve in the office with the acceptance of the people 90% of Muslims today are Sunnis Shiites Believed the caliph was primarily a religious authority and should be held only by the descendants of Muhammad 10% of Muslims today are Shiites (most are in Iran, Iraq, & Lebanon) Sunnis & Shiites

21. Umayyad Dynasty (661-750) • Emphasized Arab ethnicity over adherence to Islam • Converts to Islam were considered inferior • Respect for Jews and Christians (allowed freedom of worship and self rule within their own communities). Sometimes required to pay taxes for charity and on property • Ruling families lived excessively prompting riots and ultimately their downfall

22. Conquests • Pushed east to borders of India & China • Umayyad capital is Damascus • 747 A.D. – anti-Umayyad dynasty is established (Abbasid) • Abbasid capital is Baghdad

23. Abbasid Dynasty (750-945) • Succession disputes • Converts were appreciated – education available and career advancement • Shia dissention • Civil violence drains imperial treasury • Revolts and slavery increased • Trade with the western Mediterranean to China • Greek, Roman, and Persian learning was preserved. Greek logic, esp. Aristotle was valued. • Arabic numbers (from India) • Mathematics – algebra, geometry, & trigonometry • Astrolabe – measured stars (used in navigation) • Zenith of Islamic culture

24. Abbasid Dynasty (750-945) • Excelled in astronomy, optic surgery, anatomy, & cartography • Rise of urban centers: Baghdad, Cairo, and Córdoba with institutes of higher learning • Arts, calligraphy, and arabesques in writing and on pottery • Architecture: buildings w/patios, mosques w/minarets • Literature: The Arabian Nights • Position of women decline (influenced by Persian culture) • Sufis – mystics who focused on an emotional union with Allah – become missionaries

25. Women In Islam • Early days of Islam: women were not required to wear the veil & not secluded • Up to four wives allowed since the time of Muhammad; women - only one husband • In general Islamic women had more rights than other women of the same time • Equal with men before Allah • Female infanticide forbidden • Could own property (before & after marriage) • In some cases could divorce husband • Eventual isolation created barriers to acceptance of Islam, especially in Africa

26. Al-Andalus (Islamic Spain) • Berbers of North Africa spread Islam into Europe by conquest • Stopped at the Battle of Tours/Poitiers (France) in 732 • Allies of the Umayyad Dynasty • Preserved Greco-Roman culture • Interregional trade flourished • Muslim architecture in Spain