The Rise and Spread Of Islam

Aim: How did Islam become a uniting and dividing force in the Arabian world?

Muhammad Born in 570 C.E. Raised in Mecca, a center of worship to polytheistic nomadic pilgrims (the Kaaba). 610 experienced a revelation that he believed was from Gabriel which continued for many years. Introduced to Allah. Merchants (ruling class in Mecca) were angered by the prospect of losing the pilgrims’ business b/c of Muhammad. Muhammad fled to Medina in 622 C.E. (hijrah)

THE KAABA

Muhammad organized his believers into a community (the umma). 630 he returned to Mecca, captured the city, and destroyed the idols. Islam- means submission to God’s will.

After Muhammad’s Death MUSLIM HOLY BOOKS Quran (650 C.E.) Shariah (moral law) Hadith (Muhammad’s sayings) From the Hadith: " The strong man is not the one who is strong in wrestling, but the one who controls himself in anger." Fordham.edu

The Five Pillars of Faith 1.Shahadah – Profession of Faith -most important Pillar and is the foundation of all Muslim beliefs and practices 2.Salat – Ritual Prayer 5 times a day -Arabic language is used and is Universal language -Mosque is the place of worship, call to prayer by Muezzin from Mosque’s minaret 3.Zakah – Tax on the Community (giving Charity) 4.Saum – Fasting during Ramadan -Islam uses lunar calendar, date of Ramadan is always changing by Gregorian Calendar -Creates nearness to Allah 5.Hajj – Pilgrimage to Mecca -Once in a lifetime for all Muslims who can afford to go -Creates strong Muslim community (call to prayer) Islam is a universal religion (it is open to anyone). Q: Why do you think Islam, like Christianity, appealed to women and the poor?

The Split in Islam Caliph- religious and secular leader Abu-Bakr became the first caliph after the death of Muhammad (he was one of the original followers) When the third caliph (Uthman of the Umayyad family) was assassinated, Ali, the son in law of Muhammad was appointed caliph. Controversy: Should the caliph be the strongest member of the tribe (Sunni) or a descendent of Muhammad (Shiite)?

The Umayyad Caliphate (661 C.E C.E.) After the assassination of Ali the Umayyad family came to power in the Islamic world. Capital was in Damascus, Syria. Soldiers dedicated to Islam. Bureaucratic structure. All cultures were tolerated as long as they obeyed laws, paid taxes, and did not revolt. Arabic became the language of business, law, and trade.

The Abbasid Caliphate at its height – CE

Major Achievements of the Abbasid Caliphate Originally supported by Shiites but became more accepting of Sunnis too. Converts could advance in society Increase in trade (China) Learning of Greeks, Romans, and Persians preserved Spread of Arabic numerals to Western Europe Algebra, geometry, trigonometry Astrolabe (measured position of the stars) improved. Optic surgery, human anatomy studied Detailed maps of the world produced Calligraphy, arabesques (design) used on pottery The use of images was forbidden (idolatry), geometrical shapes used instead Minarets (towers) topped mosques Great literature (i.e. The Arabian Nights) produced Sufis (mystics) began missionary work to spread Islam House of Wisdom built in Baghdad in 830, translated Greek and Persian texts into Arabic. Dar al-Islam refers to the areas that share a common Muslim culture as the basis of their society. This became one of the most powerful influences by the end of the 15 th century.

Muslim trade 1000 C.E. Carpets, linen, brocade, ceramics from Abbasid Empire Silk and porcelain from China Rubies, silver, dyestuffs from India Trinkets and slaves from the Byzantine Empire

Cairo- A Major Center of Trade Cairo (Founded 969 C.E. as Al-Qahira) Commercial center between Europe, Middle East, and Africa Part of Islamic caliphates Islamic social structure Center of intellectual life Seljuk Turks conquered it in 1168

Decline of the Abbasid Caliphate Vast Empire High taxes Leaders became less popular Independent kingdoms began to arise, local rulers called themselves “sultans” (i.e. in Persia) Alliance between the Persian sultanate and Seljuks. 13 th century- Abbasid dynasty ended when Mongol invaders executed the Abbasid caliph.

Major Effects of the Spread of Islam 711 Berbers from North Africa conquered the Iberian peninsula. The advance into Europe was stopped at the Battle of Tours (732). Caliphs preserved Greco-Roman culture. Caliphate of Cordoba built an impressive library and offered free education in Muslim schools. Umayyad Caliphate moves to Spain when Abbasids overthrow them Spanish art and architecture reflected Muslim styles.

Front view mihrab, Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba Originally built in by the Umayyad ruler Abd ar-Rahman I Extended in the 9 th and 10 th centuries Christian cathedral in 1236 (won by Ferdinand III of Castille)

MUSLIM ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENTS TRADE Large trading networks across empire ( ) Established partnerships Sold goods on credit Formed banks to establish different kinds of currency MANUFACTURING Heads of guilds regulated prices, weights, and measurements, monitored quality Steel swords produced in Damascus Leather goods produced in Cordoba Carpets produced in Persia AGRICULTURE Muslim farmers grew sugarcane, cotton, medicinal herbs, fruits and vegetables. These were sold in world markets.

The Seljuk takeover of Jerusalem caused the Crusades in Islam spread to Northern India (modern day Pakistan)(Delhi Sultanate) and held control from Muslims were not popular with many Indians. Some Buddhists and Hindus of lower castes found Islam appealing. Islam spread from conversion and commerce in South and Southeast Asia (not really from war). Successful conversion in the islands of the Pacific. Hinduism and Buddhism continued to be popular, but (i.e. in Malaysia and Indonesia) Islam was accepted.

The Spread of Islam To Africa

BANTU MIGRATION Encarta

The Bantu Migration Around BCE the Bantu people migrated and lived in most of sub- Saharan Africa. Their population grew and resources were becoming scarce, and they had to repeat their migration. Nok sculpture (Nigeria 500 BC-200 AD) Encarta

1000 different languages; different tribes

Bantu Achievements Around 1000 BCE the Bantus produced iron tools which helped them to clear land for farming. Around 500 CE the cultivation of bananas (which came to Africa via Indian Ocean trade). The population increased from 3.5 million in 400 BCE to 22 million in 1000 CE. The Bantu culture provided a basis for African indigenous languages and religions today.

An African’s “Search for Identity” 1. Nuclear Family 2. Extended Family 3. Age-Set 4. Clan 5. Lineage (ancestry) TRIBE (communal living)

Traditional Family Structures Nuclear Family: Extended Family: C C CC C H W W C C CC C H W W GP Cs GP Cs U A

Problems of Tribalism Today 1. The tribe is more important than the nation. 2. Communication problems. 3. Inter-tribal warfare  civil wars. 4. Tribal favorites for government jobs: Nepotism Urbanization: Breaks down tribal traditions. Tribal intermingling on the job.

Traditional African Religion ANIMISM 1. Belief in one remote Supreme Being. 3. Ancestor veneration. 4. Belief in magic, charms, and fetishes. 5. Diviner  mediator between the tribe and God. 2. A world of spirits (good & bad) in all things.

Common Traits or Characteristics of Traditional African Tribal Life 1. The good of the group comes ahead of the good of the individual. 2. All land is owned by the group. 3. Strong feeling of loyalty to the group. 4. Important ceremonies at different parts of a person’s life. 5. Special age and work associations. 6. Deep respect for ancestors. 7. Religion is an important part of everyday life. 8. Government is in the hands of the chiefs [kings].

Other Religions in Sub- Saharan Africa ISLAM  35% + * Nigeria  largest sub-Saharan Muslim countries. CHRISTIANITY  20% - from Imperialism and Coptic Christianity

Islam had reached parts of North Africa (including Egypt) in the 600s and 700s. Over the next few hundred years it spread through the Sahara and to sub-Saharan Africa. Islam was brought to Africa by Arab traders.

historyteacher.net Q: How does that map show that more than simply goods were moved to and throughout the Africa?

THE SILK ROAD “The Silk Road” is a special term which describes the trade route between the Central Asia and China. In ancient times, Chinese people transported silk, tea and other products to exchange for horses with small kingdoms in west of China. The famous explorer Marco Polo opened this trade route to the Middle East, Western Europe and North Africa. Over time the Silk Road became one of the most important trade route linking China and Europe. The route is no longer used for international trade but much history and many stories of the happenings on the Silk Road remain.

Cities that sat along trade routes thrived. Melaka (port city in Malaysia) Hangzhou Samarkand (Uzbekistan) Baghdad Kilwa Venice Timbuktu

Trade in West Africa Northward- Slaves Salt Ivory Animal skins Southward- Glass Metalwork pottery

TIMBUKTU Founded in the 1000s by Tuareg nomads Later incorporated into the Mali and then Songhay empires Located near the main trade routes across the Sahara and close to the flood plain of the Niger River Important city in the trading of gold and slat Many Muslims there went on the hajj Important center of Islamic culture-mosques, palaces, and a university.

Mansa Musa – (mid 1300s) King of Mali who ruined Cairo’s economy by spending lots of Gold on his way to the Hajj imbuktu/mansamoussa.htmlhttp:// imbuktu/mansamoussa.html

THE RISE OF EAST AFRICAN CITY-STATES Since ancient times, Phoenician, Greek, Roman, and Indian traders came to the east coast of Africa. 600s- Arab and Persian merchants set up Muslim communities. Bantu speaking people migrated there and adopted Islam Other immigrants (including Indonesian) migrate to East Africa as well. By 1000 port cities like Mogadishu and Kilwa were thriving. The blend of Arabic and Bantu cultures gave rise to a new language, Swahili (written in Arabic script)

Long Distance Trade The Silk Road linked Eurasia through trade. The Indian Ocean linked China, Southeast Asia, India, Arabia and East Africa through trade. The Mediterranean Sea linked Europe with the Muslim world and Asia.

SWAHILI

IBN BATTUTA – Dar – al - Islam Ibn Battuta was a Muslim scholar born in Tangier in North Africa in the year He traveled widely in Asia (India, Western China), the Middle East and Africa and left rich accounts of his journeys. He worked as a “judge” and an expert in Sharia Law throughout Dar-al Islam. In 1331 he traveled down the East Coast of Africa. In 1352 he crossed the Sahara and traveled to the Niger River in West Africa. His date of death is uncertain. Various sources give it on dates between 1354 and 1377.

Ibn Battuta's Account of Mogadishu Ibn Battuta ( ) visited the East Coast of Africa. He visited Mogadishu, which he described as “a town of enormous size. Its merchants are possessed of vast resources; they own large numbers of camels, of which they slaughter hundreds every day [for food], and also have quantities of sheep. In this place are manufactured the woven fabrics…which are unequalled and exported from it to Egypt and elsewhere.”

Mogadishu, as seen by the sea unesco.org

Welcome to Mogadishu! Upon arrival in Mogadishu harbor, it was the custom for small native boats… to approach the arriving vessel, and their occupants to offer food and hospitality to the merchants on the ship. If a merchant accepted such an offer, then he was obligated to lodge in that person's house and to accept their services as sales agent for whatever business they transacted in Mogadishu. According to Battuta, "there is profit for them [local people] in this custom." wcupa.edu

Great Zimbabwe – Southern Africa

THE REMAINS OF GREAT ZIMBABWE Great Zimbabwe, the largest ruins in Africa, covers almost 1,800 acres. Sited on an open wooded plain surrounded by hills, the ruins comprise the vast Great Enclosure complex, and on a nearby kopje the Hill Complex, a veritable castle of interlocking walls and granite boulders, while all around in the valley lie a myriad other walls. The ruins feature an array of… herringbone and many other intricate patterns in its walls, and the astonishing fact is that despite the dry- stone technique used in Great Zimbabwe's construction (no mortar binds the stone blocks), the complex has endured for seven centuries. The complex, which wealthy Shona-speaking cattlemen built between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, may have housed as many as 40,000 people at its height. [Zimbabwe, Globetrotters Travel Guide, London: New Holland Publishers, 1994, 97.]

THE GREAT ENCLOSURE postcolonialweb.org

HILL COMPLEX (TOP) postcolonialweb.org

INSIDE THE WALLS postcolonialweb.org

VIEW THROUGH ENTRANCE GATE postcolonialweb.org

THE MYSTERIOUS DECLINE By 1500 Zimbabwe was in decline. Did excessive farming caused soil exhaustion? Civil War? Decline of trade? NOBODY KNOWS FOR SURE.

Q: Why did Europeans in the 19th century speculate that the walls of Great Zimbabwe were built by either the Arabs, ancient Phoenicians, Romans, Hebrews?

BUT THEY WERE WRONG! Archaeologist Gertrude Caton-Thompson's excavations in 1932 proved that the structures of Great Zimbabwe were less than 1000 years old… And built by Africans.

BUT THINGS HAVE CHANGED…

TANZANIA THEN… The ruins of a palace at Kilwa Kisiwani, An island off of the Southern coast of Tanzania news.bbc.co.uk

EFFORTS TO PRESERVE KILWA (1981) Added to the List of World Heritage in Danger: The remains of two great East African ports admired by early European explorers are situated on two small islands near the coast. From the 13th to the 16th century, the merchants of Kilwa dealt in gold, silver, pearls, perfumes, Arabian crockery, Persian earthenware and Chinese porcelain; much of the trade in the Indian Ocean thus passed through their hands. unesco.org

ok/geos/tz.htmlhttps:// ok/geos/tz.html AND NOW…