Key Concept 3.2: Continuity & Innovations of State Forms & Their Interactions (Islam) Period 3: 600 – 1450 CE

In less than 200 years, Islam goes from not existing to being the religious and political organizing principle of one of the largest empires in the world.

Islamic Books & Traditions Quran- Written record of the revelations given to the Prophet Five Pillars- Obligations to show faith Hadith- Collection of stories and sayings of the Prophet Sharia- Canonical law Umma- Community of believers

Arab World at Muhammad’s Birth Tribal Religiously Diverse Situated between two powerful (wealthy) empires- Sassanid and Byzantine

Conflict with Tribal Leaders Islam increased rights of women and orphans Umma more important than tribal connections Threat to religious pilgrimage trade Quraysh Tribe – Most powerful in Mecca

The Quraysh Tribe forced Muhammad and his followers out of Mecca in 622 CE- They went to Medina This marks year Zero in the Islamic calendar

Why was this important? The Islamic community now looks more like a small empire than a church Muhammad was not only the RELIGIOUS leader, he was the POLITICAL leader as well No other religious figure had to do this

Religion and secular law/politics coexisted from the beginning

The Question of Succession Muhammad Dies 632 CE Since Muhammad was considered the last prophet, there was no religious vacuum left behind BUT, they needed a political leader Caliph- “successor”

Disagreement Muhammad’s father in law (Abu Bakr) or son in law (Ali)? This disagreement began the divide between the two major sects Sunni – Support Abu Bakr and the “Rightly Guided Caliphs” Shia – Support Ali

Abu Bakr- 1st Caliph Began the Arab expansion- the entire Arabian Peninsula Sees Byzantium and Sassanid's as threat

Islam Spreads As a result, policies were tolerant of other religions Muslim conquerors were more concerned with the extension of power for leaders and people than with spreading their religious beliefs As a result, policies were tolerant of other religions Islam spread because of people’s tendency to connect military success with religion and benefits of conversion (ex: lower taxes)

Umayyad Caliphate (661-750) Capital: Damascus Expanded the empire Overthrown by the Abbasids One member of the family established the Caliphate of Cordoba in Spain

Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258) Capital: Baghdad Raised prestige and power of the empire Promoted commerce, industry, arts, science Destroyed by Mongol Invasion

Al-Andalus (711-1492) Islamic Spain Preserved Greco-roman culture and enhanced it with scientific and mathematical developments of the Muslim world Inter-regional commerce thrived

India and Southeast Asia Center of Islamic government: Delhi Delhi Sultanate failed to establish a strong administration Islam spread through commercial contacts and conversion Majority of population (Hindus and Buddhists) did not convert

Africa Islam spread through caravan routes, Indian Ocean Trade, and war Some blending with traditional beliefs and practices

Mamluk Dynasties Egypt Encouraged safety of trade routes = prosperity of Egypt Taken over by Ottoman Turks in the 16th Century

Role of Women Early- not required to veil and were not secluded from society Islamic women had greater privileges than women in other societies at the same time However, still patriarchal society