The Arab Empire. Reviewing Islam Question…Who was the prophet of Islam? –Answer…Muhammad...

The Arab Empire

Reviewing Islam

• Question…Who was the prophet of Islam?– Answer…Muhammad

• Question…What was Islam’s holy city?– Answer…Mecca

• Question…Where is was this city located?– Answer…Modern day Saudi Arabia.

• Question…What was the Hijra?– Answer…Muhammad fled Mecca for the

city of Medinah only to come back later with an army of followers and conquer the city in the name of Allah.

• Question…What are the five pillars of Islam?– Answer…Testimony, prayer, alms-giving, fasting during Ramadan, Hajj

Arab Rule• Muhammad dies in

632AD– Muhammad’s father-in-

law, Abu Bakr, chosen as the next leader of Islam

– Caliph• Abu Bakr united the

Muslims into one empire.– Begins to expand.

• Jihad– Means “struggle” in

arabic.– Fair, defensive.– Permitted in the Qu’ran.

Question: What empire is right next to the Arab Empire?

Arab Empire Expands

•Arabs take Egypt, Syria, and the Persian Empire.

Answer = Byzantine Empire!

ARABS

Tolerant Rulers• In conquered areas,

Christians and Jews were allowed to continue to practice their religions.

• Tolerant of “People of the Book”– Follow scriptures

revealed to them before Muhammad.

• Must still obey Muslim rule and pay taxes.

The Umayyads• When Abu Bakr dies, there

was no clear choice for Caliph– One was Ali, Muhammad’s

son-in-law.– Fights against Mu’awiyah

(powerful general) for caliphate.

• Mu’awiyah takes over in 661 A.D.– Wants to make the caliphate

a hereditary position.

• Forms the Umayyad dynasty– Continues expanding

Mu’awiyah Expands the Arab (Now called Umayyad) Empire

•Arabs conquer Berbers and Spain by 725 A.D.

•Arab expansion into Europe was stopped with their defeat at the Battle of Tours (vs. the Franks) in 732 A.D.

ARABS

Islam Splits!• The large size of the

Umayyad Empire led to problems…

• There is a failed revolt led by Ali Hussein– Ali Hussein = second son to

Ali (son-in-law of Muhammad).

• This struggle led to the split of Islam…– Shia = Believe only

descendents of Ali can be Caliph.

– Sunni = Accepted Umayyad rule.

• Now, believe Caliphs must be elected.

Abbasid Dynasty• Eventually the

Umayyad’s are overthrown and the Abbasid Dynasty is established in 750 A.D.

• Key leader: Harun al-Rashid– “Golden age” of the

Arab Empire.• Advancements in arts

and learning.The Great Mosque of Samarra

Abbasids lose power

•When Harun al-Rashid died (809AD), parts of the empire begin to break away and establish independent dynasties.

•One part was the Turks…

MoroccoSpain

Egypt

The Seljuk Turks

• In 1055, a Turkish leader captured Baghdad and claimed himself sultan, or “holder of power.”

• Under new Turkish leadership, the Arab Empire began to increase pressure on their neighbors, the Byzantine Empire…