Rise and Spread of Islam

1. Rise and Spread of Islam

2. I. Religious beginnings • Muhammad (570-632) • Early life: trader and businessman, roots in Bedouin culture • Age of 40 – voice called to him as he meditated outside city of Mecca • Voice of angel Gabriel, messenger of Allah • Became convinced he was last of prophets and Allah was the one and only god

3. II. Basic Beliefs & Practices • Monotheistic - “Allah” is Arabic for “God” • Five Pillars of Islam (duties all Muslims have to perform) • Faith – one must have faith in Allah and believe Muhammad to be the one true prophet • Prayer – pray towards the direction of Mecca five times a day • All mosques have a wall that indicates the direction of Mecca

4. II. Continued… • Alms – responsibility to support those less fortunate • Fasting – holy month of Ramadan, do not eat between sunup and sunset • Pilgrimage – if physically & financially able, all Muslims perform the Hajj – pilgrimage to Mecca • Other beliefs/practices • Qur’an (holy book) – Arabic version is only true version • Shari’a – system of law that regulates family life, moral conduct, business, community life • Hadiths– traditions of Muhammad

5. III. Muslim Empire • After death of Muhammad, Muslim community elected series of caliphs– meaning “successor” or “deputy” • First four caliphs called caliphate, most successful leaders • Abu-Bakr (first caliph) faced a number of people abandoning Islam, refusing to pay taxes, appearance of false prophets • Called for jihad– can refer to inner struggle against evil or armed struggle against unbelievers • Justification for initial territorial expansion

6. IV. Imperial Expansion • By 750, Muslim empire stretched 6,000 miles from Atlantic Ocean to Indus River • Why so successful, so quickly? • Armies well disciplined, expert commanders • Byzantine and Sassanid Empires to the north were already weak from fighting each other • People persecuted under other empires welcomed Muslim invaders • Many converted to Islam on their own • Against Muslim beliefs to force someone to convert • Christians and Jews: dhimmni– “people of the book” • Had protected status in Muslim empire

7. V. Islam’s Split • 661 – Ali, cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, last of elected caliphs, was assassinated • Powerful family called Umayyads took power • Moved capital to Damascus • Abandoned simple life of previous caliphs, embraced wealth and luxury • Most accepted Umayyads’ rule • Became known as Sunnis– “followers of Muhammad’s example”

8. V. Continued… • Some claimed that caliphs had to be descendant of Muhammad • Became known as Shi’a– “party of Ali” • Followers known as Shi’ites • Third group called Sufi • Rejected the luxurious life of Umayyads • Pursued life of poverty and devotion to spiritual path Distribution map

9. VI. Continuous Expansion • Umayyads overthrown in 750 • Another powerful family, the Abbasids seized control • Moved capital to Baghdad in central Iraq • Located on key trade routes, better communication • Expanded trade from Mediterranean Sea to South China Sea • Merchant and landlord classes grew in both wealth and social status • By late era of Abbasid rule, plagued by political divisions • Shi’a revolts and assassination attempts

10. VII. Gender Roles • Women had greater role in early days of Islam • Muhammad’s wives helped write the Qur’an • Muhammad denounced adultery • Men could have up to four wives • But only if man could support all equally • Women had greater inheritance rights and the right to divorce • Muhammad’s daughters and wives helped compile the Qur’an • As empire expanded, women’s rights diminished • Islamic law evolved over time and adapted other cultures’ beliefs

13. VIII. Medieval Muslim Culture • Combination of many different cultures (Arabic, Persian, Jewish, Christian) created a culture that was unique and sophisticated for its time • Social classes based mostly on religion • Upper class: Muslims by birth • Second class: converts • Third class: dhimmi – “protected people”, “people of the book” • Lowest class: slaves

14. VIII. Continued… • Rise of cities • Only China rivaled Muslim Empire in number of large urban areas • Baghdad, Damascus, Cordoba, Cairo – all populous and centers of learning and trade • Baghdad reached 1 million • Intellectual contributions (see video notes) • Muhammad stressed the need for learning in original writings • Led to Muslim Empire being most sophisticated in world for its time • Later helped jumpstart European Renaissance