Part II: ISLAM SPREADING

Learning Goals for Today:  Investigate and explain the rise and growth of Islam.  Relate new information to prior learning about Islam.

He Died, What Next?  After Muhammad died in 632 AD, the Umma (Islamic community) had to figure out who the new leader would be.  Muhammad did not leave any instructions on how to choose a new leader. So they elected one.  The Umma elected Muhammad’s friend Abu Bakr as the new Caliph.  Caliph means successor or deputy  A Caliph is a leader of Islam who is meant to take Muhammad’s place.  The first four Caliphs are called the “Rightly- Guided” Caliphs. They all knew Muhammad.

The “Rightly-Guided” Ones  Abu Bakr ( )  A friend of Muhammad  Conquered Arabia  Umar ( )  A friend of Muhammad  Conquered Syria and Northern Egypt  Uthman ( )  A friend of Muhammad  Conquered Iran, Afghanistan, and Armenia  Helped compile the written Qur’an  Assassinated  Ali ( )  Cousin and Son-in-Law of Muhammad  Civil War with Muawiyah and the Umayyad family  Assassinated

 These men were called the “rightly-guided” Caliphs because:  They knew Muhammad  They were focused on spreading Islam  They spread it with armies, but tried not to force people to become Muslim The “Rightly-Guided” Ones

After Ali  After Ali was killed, Muawiya and his family the Umayyads came to power and ruled the Islamic empire or Caliphate from in Damascus, Syria.  The Umayyad Caliphate was not that popular because they lived like wealthy kings, not humble religious leaders  They controlled territory from Spain to India.  Most Muslims went along with the Umayyads being in power, but not all…

The Spread of Islam

Islam Divided Sunnis  The majority of Muslims supported the Umayyad Caliphate… they became known as Sunnis (meaning the followers of Muhammad’s example).  Others thought that a descendant of Muhammad should lead the religion/empire. Shi’ites  This group was called Shi’a (meaning the party of Ali). They are called Shi’ites. Sufis  Another group of those who focused on the religious and spiritual aspects of Islam were called Sufis. They are sometimes like monks who spend their lives studying Islam.  Major civil wars broke out between the Shi’ites and the Sunnis. Battles still go on today (Syria, Iraq).

Islam’s Caliphates  Because of the Umayyad’s unpopularity, they were kicked out of power in 750.  The group known as the Abbasids then came to power.  The Abbasids killed the rest of the Umayyads (except one who escaped to create his own Umayyad Caliphate in Spain). al-Andalus  The Spanish Umayyads created a kingdom called al-Andalus, which lasted until They sparked a golden age of art.  The famous Grand Mosque of Cordoba in Spain was created by the Umayyads. It is now a Cathedral.

The Abbasids  The Abbasids moved the capital to the NEW city of Baghdad. Where trade, art, central government, and wealth flourished.  This dynasty or Caliphate was more like the government of a rich King with control over his land than a humble religious leader.  Trade and the economy flourished in and around the empire because of one language (Arabic) and one currency (dinar). Fatimids  Other groups such as the Shi’a Fatimids wanted to gain power and did gain some power, but they never took over the Abbasids.  The Abbasids lasted until 1250, when the Mongols invaded and sacked Baghdad.

The Role of Arabic in Uniting the People  Wherever Muslims controlled new territory, Arabic spread and became the main language.  The Qur’an was only official in Arabic. Prayers were in Arabic.  The Arabic language spread throughout the Muslim empire and it became the language of the economy and helped trade and daily life be standardized around the empire.

The Role of Arabic in Uniting the People