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Building an Islamic Empire. Muhammad’s Death. Huge problem once Muhammad died No successor Abu Bakr First caliph Successor to Muhammad. Abu Bakr. Loyalty amongst Arab tribes Once fully united, series of military campaigns Converted massive numbers of Arabs to Islam. Early Victories.
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Muhammad’s Death • Huge problem once Muhammad died • No successor • Abu Bakr • First caliph • Successor to Muhammad
Abu Bakr • Loyalty amongst Arab tribes • Once fully united, series of military campaigns • Converted massive numbers of Arabs to Islam
Early Victories • First Four Caliphs • Conquered the Middle East • Byzantine Empire
Dome of the Rock • Oldest surviving Islamic building • Jerusalem • Muslim teaching • Muhammad ascended to heaven from the rock inside this building
Divisions • Sunni • Shiite • Huge impact on history
Shiites • Felt son-in-law Ali should be successor of Muhammad • Successors should be kin of Muhammad
Sunni • Any good Muslim could lead the community • Successor is called a caliph • Religious and political leader
Sunnis and Shiites • 90% of Muslims are Sunni • Shiites lives in Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen • Other groups • Sufis • Mystics who sought communion with God through meditation, fasting, etc.
Umayyad • Umayyad caliphate • Dynasty of Sunni caliphs that ruled until 750 • Vastly expands empire
Conquered People • Muslim leaders imposed a special tax on non-Muslims • Tax supported troops
Conversion • Easy religion to convert to • No hierarchy • Simple and direct message