The Arab Empire of the Umayyads (661-750) Chapter 6 (parts 3+4 of 5)

Umayyad Build Arab Empire Umayyad clan in control, expand Arab empire Umayyad empire not intent on spreading religion (not as religious as next empire)

Chaos After Muhammad Dies Never appointed a successor Ali (son-in-law) passed over b/c he was too young Abu Bakr (a friend) chosen as leader (632-634) Succession (who would lead) would be constant problem

Arabs United by Abu Bakr Ridda Wars = Abu Bakr successfully defeats opposing Arab tribes This unites Arabs, and allows them to quickly expand their territory

Arabs Successfully Expand Through War Islam united the Arabs Empires around Arabs weak Arabs in other empires helped Warriors promised riches from conquest So, motivated by riches, not jihad

The Surrounding Empires

Sasanian Empire Crumbling Majority of people farmers who were taken advantage of by emperor and upper class aristocracy Zoroastrianism = religion of Sasanian empire, but not extremely popular Took Arab invaders lightly, and in 651, Arabs conquered them

Byzantine Empire Also Weak Arabs helped by people living in Byzantine Empire: Many Arabs living in Byzantine Empire helped Christians in Syria and Egypt helped (Byzantines taxed and persecuted them, Muslims would not Byzantine Empire Also Weak Byzantine Empire lasted a few hundred years longer, but was greatly weakened

Problem of Succession Rears Its Ugly Head 1st caliph = Muhammad 2nd caliph = Abu Bakr 3rd caliph = Uthman 4th caliph = ??? Uthman murdered in 656, sparking clan violence/civil war Caliph = Muslim ruler Uthman was Umayyad (rival of Muhammad) thus not very popular Most Muslims wanted Ali (Muhammad’s son-in-law) as caliph

Battle of Siffin (657) Supporters angry at Ali and turn on him Ali about to defeat Umayyad at Battle of Siffin Ali persuaded to negotiate with Umayyad Umayyad now in full control of the Arab empire Ali assassinated and his son Hasan forced to give up claim to caliphate Umayyad name Mu’Awiya as next caliph

Sunni Shia Vs.

The Sunni-Shia (Shi’ite) Split - Supporters of Umayyad - Majority of Muslims Shia - Supporters of Ali - Minority (most left Ali) In Karbala (in 680), Ali’s 2nd son, Husayn, killed by Umayyad (Sunni and Shia have fought ever since)

Sunni Umayyad Expand Arab Empire Temporarily solving issue of succession, Umayyad expand Arab empire Build biggest empire since Rome, and control Spain to central Asia

Arab advance into Europe stopped by Charles Martel at Poitiers

Umayyad make Damascus capital of empire

Arabs Control Non-Arabs Umayyad empire so large it controlled many non-Arabs and non-Muslims Muslims treated best in empire (first-class citizens No taxes on Muslims except the zakat (charity tax)

Umayyad Stop Intermarriage Don’t want converts, less money in taxes coming in Kept warriors separated from populations so wouldn’t intermarry Too difficult to stop intermarriage Mawali = converts to Islam, still had to pay jizya (tax on non believers) So Umayyad weren’t focused on converting people to Islam Little incentive to convert, so most didn’t

Dhimmis The non-Muslims Non-Muslims living in Arab empire Called “People of the Book” (Bible) Had to pay Jizya (tax on non-believers) Mostly left alone by Umayyad leaders B/c left alone, easier to accept Arab rule Dhimmis The non-Muslims

Women had more status in Umayyad empire than in areas it conquered Muhammad had preached treating women well Hadiths – traditions set by Muhammad (such as treating women well Umayyad Women

Discontent of Umayyad Grows Umayyad leaders living lavishly Stop fighting wars, build marble palaces Muslims getting very upset Discontent of Umayyad Grows

They’ve Got Some MERV In city of Merv (eastern Iran), rebellion against Umayyad begins Why be ruled by corrupt leaders living life of luxury far away

The Abbasid Rise to Power Abbasid led by Abu al-Abbas, great-grandson of al Abbas Unite w/ Shia and Mawali (converts never felt accepted – still paying jizya) Rebels fighting the Umayyad unite under the Abbasid banner

Battle on the River Zab (750) End of Umayyad Battle on the River Zab (750) Abbasid defeat Umayyad, get Damascus, control Arab empire