The Rise and Spread The Rise and Spread of Islamof Islam

Why Important???Why Important???

Islam spread quickly to become one Islam spread quickly to become one of the world’s most popular religionsof the world’s most popular religions– Remains so to this dayRemains so to this day

Muslim merchants played a crucial Muslim merchants played a crucial role in trade and cultural diffusionrole in trade and cultural diffusion

GeographyGeography Origins: Arabian Origins: Arabian

PeninsulaPeninsula Mostly desertMostly desert Cities on coasts or Cities on coasts or

near an oasis, thrived near an oasis, thrived on tradeon trade– Mecca and Medina most Mecca and Medina most

importantimportant BedouinBedouin tribes tribes

controlled caravan controlled caravan routes between citiesroutes between cities– Nomadic, clans based Nomadic, clans based

on kinshipon kinship

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http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/942/663946.JPG

Pre-Islamic ArabiaPre-Islamic Arabia Polytheistic religion, animisticPolytheistic religion, animistic

– Some Jewish and Christian influenceSome Jewish and Christian influence Strong familial tiesStrong familial ties Polygamy Polygamy

– Some allowed women multiple husbands (polyandry)Some allowed women multiple husbands (polyandry) Women enjoyed more freedom than those among Women enjoyed more freedom than those among

neighboring cultures (Byzantine Empire and neighboring cultures (Byzantine Empire and Persians)Persians)– Many Bedouin tribes were matrilineal Many Bedouin tribes were matrilineal – Women not secluded or veiledWomen not secluded or veiled

Poetry main form of artistic expressionPoetry main form of artistic expression– No written language among Bedouin tribesNo written language among Bedouin tribes

Rise of IslamRise of Islam

By 500’s, Arabia was fragmentedBy 500’s, Arabia was fragmented– Rivalry among BedouinRivalry among Bedouin– Christianity and Judaism increased in Christianity and Judaism increased in

influenceinfluence Religious disunityReligious disunity

Prophets began to call for unity Prophets began to call for unity among the Arabsamong the Arabs– Believed a common religion was neededBelieved a common religion was needed

MuhammadMuhammad

Born around 570Born around 570– Grew up with father’s relativesGrew up with father’s relatives

Educated to be a merchantEducated to be a merchant– Moved to Mecca as an adolescentMoved to Mecca as an adolescent

Heavily influenced by monotheistic religion (Judaism and Heavily influenced by monotheistic religion (Judaism and Christianity)Christianity)

610: received revelation from Allah610: received revelation from Allah– Believed his revelation was the final word of godBelieved his revelation was the final word of god

Foundations of new religion: IslamFoundations of new religion: Islam– Beliefs and teachings recorded in the Qur’an Beliefs and teachings recorded in the Qur’an

(Koran)(Koran)

http://theinsanityofthesane.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/quran1.jpghttp://theinsanityofthesane.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/quran1.jpg

MuhammadMuhammad

Teachings unpopular in Mecca at firstTeachings unpopular in Mecca at first– Fled to MedinaFled to Medina

became skilled politician and spiritual leaderbecame skilled politician and spiritual leader

– Islamic community became known as Islamic community became known as ummaumma

Muhammad’s teaching quickly Muhammad’s teaching quickly spread spread – Unified the people of ArabiaUnified the people of Arabia

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Teaching of MuhammadTeaching of MuhammadTenets of IslamTenets of Islam

Muslim: follower of IslamMuslim: follower of Islam 5 Pillars of Islam5 Pillars of Islam

– Acceptance of Allah as one true god and Acceptance of Allah as one true god and Muhammad as his prophetMuhammad as his prophet

– Prayer 5 times daily in direction of MeccaPrayer 5 times daily in direction of Mecca– Fasting during day-light hours of RamadanFasting during day-light hours of Ramadan– Charity for the less fortunateCharity for the less fortunate– Hajj- pilgrimage to Holy LandHajj- pilgrimage to Holy Land

http://www.theodora.com/wfb/photos/saudi_arabia/grand_mosque_mecca_soudi_arabia_photo_2.jpghttp://www.theodora.com/wfb/photos/saudi_arabia/grand_mosque_mecca_soudi_arabia_photo_2.jpg

Beliefs of IslamBeliefs of Islam

Islam:Islam:– Is monotheisticIs monotheistic– promotes equality of all believers in the promotes equality of all believers in the

eyes of Godeyes of God– Encourages charity for the poor Encourages charity for the poor – Belief in judgment in the afterlife Belief in judgment in the afterlife

(paradise or hell)(paradise or hell) Islam was an appealing religion that Islam was an appealing religion that

spread quicklyspread quickly

CaliphateCaliphate

632: death of Muhammad632: death of Muhammad– Uncertainty about leadership in Muslim Uncertainty about leadership in Muslim

communitycommunity– Some renounced faith due to lack of leadershipSome renounced faith due to lack of leadership

CaliphCaliph: political and religious successor of : political and religious successor of MuhammadMuhammad– Some wanted Ali (Muhammad’s first cousin) to Some wanted Ali (Muhammad’s first cousin) to

take overtake over– Others felt Abu Bakr (Muhammad’s father-in-Others felt Abu Bakr (Muhammad’s father-in-

law) would be betterlaw) would be better

Umayyad CaliphateUmayyad Caliphate

Abu Bakr of the Umayyad clan became Abu Bakr of the Umayyad clan became caliph (from 632-634)caliph (from 632-634)– Began to standardize the Islamic faith, oversee Began to standardize the Islamic faith, oversee

compilation of the Qur’an (Koran), reassert compilation of the Qur’an (Koran), reassert Muslim authority among the ArabsMuslim authority among the Arabs

– Temporary peaceTemporary peace 656: Civil War erupted after assassination 656: Civil War erupted after assassination

of the 3of the 3rdrd caliph (Uthman) caliph (Uthman)– Those who supported Umayya clan won (661)Those who supported Umayya clan won (661)– Conflict created a major division among the Conflict created a major division among the

Muslim communityMuslim community

Sunni-Shi’a SplitSunni-Shi’a Split

Sunni Muslims supported the Umayyad Sunni Muslims supported the Umayyad clanclan– Believed the first 3 caliphs had been accurately Believed the first 3 caliphs had been accurately

chosenchosen Shi’a (Shi’ite) Muslims supported Ali to be Shi’a (Shi’ite) Muslims supported Ali to be

caliphcaliph– Believed the first 3 caliphs were unfairly Believed the first 3 caliphs were unfairly

chosenchosen The Sunni-Shi’ite conflict still continues to The Sunni-Shi’ite conflict still continues to

this day.this day.

Umayyad CaliphateUmayyad Caliphate 632-750, Umayyad ruled over an Arab 632-750, Umayyad ruled over an Arab

EmpireEmpire– Capital in Damascus, SyriaCapital in Damascus, Syria

Major FeaturesMajor Features– Arabic as official languageArabic as official language– Use of gold & silver coins as currencyUse of gold & silver coins as currency– Muslims enjoyed highest social positionMuslims enjoyed highest social position

Only pay taxes for charity & received share of wealth Only pay taxes for charity & received share of wealth from caravansfrom caravans

– Most people were Most people were dhimmidhimmi (non-Muslim) (non-Muslim) – paid the bulk of taxespaid the bulk of taxes

– Very little attempt to convert non-MuslimsVery little attempt to convert non-Muslims– Established major area of influence in JerusalemEstablished major area of influence in Jerusalem

Umayyad CaliphateUmayyad Caliphate

Gender/Family under UmayyadGender/Family under Umayyad– Muhammad taught respect for women, saw Muhammad taught respect for women, saw

marriage as important social institutionmarriage as important social institution Denounced adultery, forbade female infanticideDenounced adultery, forbade female infanticide Saw men & women as equals in eyes of AllahSaw men & women as equals in eyes of Allah

– Under Umayyad, men allowed 4 wivesUnder Umayyad, men allowed 4 wives Women allowed only 1 husbandWomen allowed only 1 husband

– Veiling not practicedVeiling not practiced– Women involved in various occupations Women involved in various occupations

(law, commerce, scholars)(law, commerce, scholars)

Abbasid CaliphateAbbasid Caliphate

750-1258750-1258 750: Umayyad overthrown during 750: Umayyad overthrown during

rebellionrebellion– Abbas took over and established the Abbas took over and established the

Abbasid CaliphateAbbasid Caliphate Capital at BaghdadCapital at Baghdad Abbasid was a “Golden Age” for IslamAbbasid was a “Golden Age” for Islam

– Court-life, literature, learningCourt-life, literature, learning

Abbasid CaliphateAbbasid Caliphate Increase in converts during the AbbasidIncrease in converts during the Abbasid

– Missionary work to promote conversionMissionary work to promote conversion Urban expansion Urban expansion

– Baghdad became a cultural center and economic Baghdad became a cultural center and economic hubhub

Trade boomedTrade boomed– Trade routes across the Sahara and throughout Trade routes across the Sahara and throughout

the Mediterranean and Indian Oceanthe Mediterranean and Indian Ocean– Use of lateen (triangular) sails on ships known as Use of lateen (triangular) sails on ships known as

dhows dhows – Extensive trade increased wealthExtensive trade increased wealth

Reinvested or used to build Mosques, public buildings, Reinvested or used to build Mosques, public buildings, religious schools, hospitals (Muslims were unsurpassed religious schools, hospitals (Muslims were unsurpassed in their medical expertise at the time)in their medical expertise at the time)

Arabian Arabian DhowDhow

trade shiptrade ship

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Lateen (triangular) sails

Abbasid CaliphateAbbasid Caliphate

Cities were filled with artisan and Cities were filled with artisan and craft shopscraft shops– Unskilled labor performed by slavesUnskilled labor performed by slaves

Slavery was not a hereditary conditionSlavery was not a hereditary condition Non-Muslims, usually captives from AfricaNon-Muslims, usually captives from Africa

– Qur’an(Koran) forbids enslavement of Muslims, Qur’an(Koran) forbids enslavement of Muslims, Jews, Christians, or ZoroastriansJews, Christians, or Zoroastrians

Islamic Law: Shari’aIslamic Law: Shari’a

Over time, Muslim scholars Over time, Muslim scholars developed an Islamic law codedeveloped an Islamic law code

Shari’aShari’a– Legal stability and common moral codeLegal stability and common moral code

Followed to varying degreesFollowed to varying degrees

Islamic LearningIslamic Learning

Muslim scholars preserved classical Muslim scholars preserved classical works from the Greek and Hellenistic works from the Greek and Hellenistic periodperiod

Adopted the Indian Numeral system & Adopted the Indian Numeral system & spread itspread it– Made advances in algebra and trigonometryMade advances in algebra and trigonometry

Architecture became a form of artistic Architecture became a form of artistic expressionexpression– Mosques with elaborate mosaics insideMosques with elaborate mosaics inside– Elaborate palaces for entertaining the eliteElaborate palaces for entertaining the elite

Dome of Rock- JerusalemDome of Rock- Jerusalemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome_of_the_Rockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome_of_the_Rock

Declining Position of WomenDeclining Position of Women

During the Abbasid, the position of women During the Abbasid, the position of women began to declinebegan to decline– Harems very popularHarems very popular

Legends of harems with thousands of concubines and Legends of harems with thousands of concubines and eunuchseunuchs

– Veiling and seclusion became popularVeiling and seclusion became popular Only slave women allowed to appear in public Only slave women allowed to appear in public

unescortedunescorted

However, women did have some rightsHowever, women did have some rights– Own property, right to divorce and remarry, right Own property, right to divorce and remarry, right

to testify in court, and the right to go on hajjto testify in court, and the right to go on hajj

Decline of Abbasid Decline of Abbasid CaliphateCaliphate

By mid-800’s Abbasid began to lose powerBy mid-800’s Abbasid began to lose power– Internal unrest (Sunni-Shi’ite conflict)Internal unrest (Sunni-Shi’ite conflict)– Courtly excess became a financial drainCourtly excess became a financial drain– Sunni-Shi’ite conflictSunni-Shi’ite conflict– Revolts by non-Muslims and Turkish slaves Revolts by non-Muslims and Turkish slaves

(Mamluks)(Mamluks) Abbasid also faced outside pressuresAbbasid also faced outside pressures

– Seljuk Turks (nomadic group) seized territory Seljuk Turks (nomadic group) seized territory to create the Seljuk Sultanateto create the Seljuk Sultanate

– CrusadersCrusaders– Mongol InvasionMongol Invasion

Abbasid eventually fell in 1258Abbasid eventually fell in 1258

Muslim Conquests under the Muslim Conquests under the Umayyad and AbbasidUmayyad and Abbasid

Muslims began to engage in campaigns Muslims began to engage in campaigns against neighboring empiresagainst neighboring empires– To gain wealth and glorify their religionTo gain wealth and glorify their religion

Seized territory from Byzantine EmpireSeized territory from Byzantine Empire Territorial gains in: Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, Territorial gains in: Syria, Egypt, Tunisia,

Spain, Algeria, MoroccoSpain, Algeria, Morocco– Iberian Peninsula became a hub of leaning Iberian Peninsula became a hub of leaning

and culture within Europeand culture within Europe

Spread of IslamSpread of Islam

Islam spread quicklyIslam spread quickly– Aided by tradeAided by trade

Expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa, Expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa, the Swahili Coast of East Africa, parts the Swahili Coast of East Africa, parts of Europe and Asiaof Europe and Asia

More on this later!!!More on this later!!!