Spread of Islam

630 A.D. Mohammad and his followers take Mecca; destroyed pagan shrines around the Kaaba; Mecca made into the holiest place for Muslims (Hajj) Muhammad calls for Jihad, struggle against nonbelievers, which motivated Arab armies to conquer other lands. They believed that if they died in a Jihad, then they would be guaranteed a place in paradise. Mecca Attacks Medina

631 A.D.Muslims take most of the Arabian Peninsula; thousands of converts made

5 Conquests of Mohammed

632 A.D. Mohammad dies Before he died, Mohammed did not appoint a successor. A successor of Mohammed, in Islam, is called a caliph. Abu Bakr, one of Mohammed’s first converts, and his son-in-law was chosen to be caliph Abu Bakr and the 3 three caliphs to follow would be called the “Rightly Guided” because they would use the - Quran - Sunna

4 “Rightly Guided” Caliphs Abu Bakr: – Used military force to reassert his control. – Conquered all of Arabia Umar: – Has a highly disciplined mobile army – Conquers Syria, Lower Egypt from the Byzantine.

Uthman and Ali, the last two “rightly guided” caliphs expand empire Eastward and Westward. – Though the Arabian peninsula was a harsh and mountainous Muslims were able to expand Muslim territory stretched from the Indus River to the Atlantic Ocean.

Reasons for Success Faith: Muslims saw the victories as a sign of God’s support, which made them more willing to fight. – Army was completely loyal and disciplined

10 Persian Sassanid Empire Byzantine Empire 650 A.D Took Northern Africa, Palestine and Egypt from the Byzantine Empire 650 A.D Took complete control of Persia Weak Empires: The Byzantine Empire and the Persian Empire had grown weak.

Tolerated Conquered People Jews and Christians were called the “People of the Book” and therefore were tolerated. As long as they paid a poll tax. Slavery was common in conquered territories, but was not based on race Those who did not believe in one god were called “infidels” and were given the choice to convert or die. (Many polytheists willingly converted, since “All Muslims are equal before God.”).

656 A.D. Ali, the last Rightly Guided Caliph, was elected to power Mu’awiyah – Gov. of Syria and Ali’s rival; questions Ali’s authority to rule -Ali murdered by a servant; Mu’awiyah becomes Caliph begins the Umayyad Dynasty! - With the death of Ali, the elective system of choosing a leader dies with him. The Last “Rightly Guided Caliph Dies

650 A.D The Muslim Schism Muslims divide into two groups: Shiite – followers of Ali; caliph must be Mohammad rel. Sunni - any devout Muslim can become caliph w/ support -Shiite’s were the smaller group; attempted to depose the Sunni in control of government -Schism still exists to this day; Shiites live in Iran, western Afghanistan, sections of Iraq

14 Distribution of Shi’a (dark green) and Sunni (light green) Today

Umayyad Dynasty ( ) 661 – Muawiyah founds the Umayyad Dynasty; moves capitol from Mecca to Damascus -Umayyad caliphs extend further into North Africa; southern Europe

Umayyad Dynasty ( ) 690- Ummayad’s build the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, place where Abraham almost sacrificed his son and where Muhammad ascended to heaven Jerusalem is the 3 rd holiest city for Muslims after Mecca and Medina.

Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem: Where Muhammad Ascended Into Heaven

Umayyad Dynasty ( ) 711 – Invade Spain, France – Stopped in 732 at the Battle of Tours by Charles Martel, King of the Franks

Samanid Mosque In Bukhara Umayyad Mosque In Spain

-Umayyad tax system extended to non-Arab Muslims, namely Persians and Turks -Persians and Turks unhappy; unite to overthrow the Umayyad Dynasty in – Defeat the Umayyad -Abbasids move the capitol from Damascus to Baghdad Abbasids Overthrow the Umayyad ( )

- Abbasid Empire was split along ethnic lines Persians = bureaucrats; Turks = soldiers; Arabs = religious leaders and judges -Ethnic differences would soon cause the empire to slowly break apart -A number of empires would spring forth from the Abbasids, who were little more than a glorified city-state by 1000 A.D Abbasids Lose Control Seljuk Turks -Turkish Muslims; settled with Abbasid Turks and split around Conquered Palestine around 1092; led to the First Crusade Egyptian Fatimids; dominated North Africa and parts of the Middle East FatimidSelju k Turks

1258 Mongols pounce on Baghdad, kill the last Abbasid ruler, and destroy the city. Mongols Take over the Abbasids

-Connected by the Sea: Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean -By Land: -Silk Rd of China and India to Europe Indian Ocean Med. Sea -Muslim Trade Routes Arab Traders: Middlemen to the World -Mecca, Baghdad, Damascus & Cairo-- largest trade centers -Geographic position made Islamic controlled territory the natural crossroads for East-West trade routes along Eurasia

Bazaar--an Arab marketplace, typically enclosed (like a mall) -Bazaars sold goods from Arabia, Northern Africa, Asia -Many Europeans would purchase Eastern goods from Arab traders; European goods would reach the East the same way Traded Commodities Middle East/Arabia – glass, carpets, spices, textiles Europe – gold, slaves Africa – gold, ivory, slaves Asia/India – gemstones, spices, silk, ceramics

-Muslim Trade Routes -Muslim Merchants from China to Europe only needed one language== Arabic -Needed one currency: Abbasid Diner Banking System: To encourage trade banks were set up in various cities where letters of credit or “checks” were exchanged for cash. Abbasid Dinar

Islam: Submission to God’s Will Sunni: Believe that anyone can be Caliph with support Shi’a: Caliph should be a direct descendent of Muhammad Sufi: Pursue a life of poverty and spiritual devotion to God. Muslims: Those who submit to God’s Will