Muslim Civilizations Ch. 10

The rise of Islam Section 1

Muhammad the Prophet Born in Mecca (a thriving city of trade) Worked as a Shepherd, later became a merchant Married Khadija- a wealthy widow Became known for his honesty in business and was a devoted husband and father Troubled by the moral ills of Meccan society

He would often escape to a cave to meditate There he heard voice of Angel Gabriel- calling him the messenger of God His wife encouraged him to follow the call 1st convert to Islam He devoted his life to spreading Islam

The Hijra Many people feared Muhammad’s views- did not want to disrupt trade 622 Muhammad and followers were forced to flee Mecca and settled in Yathrib (later called Medina) Known as a hijra In Medina, converted Muslims welcomed Muhammad and followers War broke out between Muslims of Medina and Meccans

Muhammad defeated Meccans allowing him to return to Mecca in 630 He destroyed idols in the Kaaba Rededicated the Kaaba to Allah 632 Muhammad died leaving no successor Islam continued to spread

People of the Book Muslims, Jew, and Christians worship the same God Quran teaches Islam is God’s final and complete revelation Christian Bible contains portions of earlier revelations Muslims consider Jews and Christians as “People of the Book” spiritually superior to polytheistic idol worshipers Historically had religious freedom

5 Pillars Declaration of Faith Daily Prayer Alms for the Poor Fast During Ramadan Hajj

Building a Muslim Empire Section 2

Abu Bakr Abu Bakr became 1st caliph Muhammad’s father-in-law & early Islam convert Some people removed their loyalty to Islam because they were dependent on Muhammad’s personal command Abu reunited Muslims based on their allegiance to Islam Set out to convert remaining Arab tribes

Early Victories The first four caliphs Marched from victory to victory – conquered the Byzantines and the Persians Included cities of Damascus and Jerusalem

Sunnis vs Shiites Split over who should succeed Muhammad Shiites: Believed Ali (Muhammad’s son-in-law) was designated his successor Divinely inspired religious leaders who were empowered to read & interpret the Quran Sunnis: Believed a pious male Muslim from Muhammad’s tribe could be the leader of the religious community Viewed as a political leader of the religious community without divine or prophetic function Majority of Muslims today

3rd tradition of Islam emerged Sufis 3rd tradition of Islam emerged Muslim mystics that sought communion with God through meditation, fasting, and other rituals Some were believed to have miraculous powers

Umayyad Caliphs Sunni caliphs Capital in Damascus, Syria Expanded Muslim lands Treated conquered people fairly Did not try to convert “People of the Book” because of the tax they were required to pay Problems with leadership lead to their decline

Rise of Abbasids Shiites supported Abu al-Abbas- descended from Muhammad’s uncle He had living Umayyad killed- only one escaped to Spain Made many changes- Equality of all Muslims Reached its greatest wealth Moved capital from Damascus to Baghdad (Persian territory)

Muslim Empire Declines Empire began to fragment with different Shiite rulers coming to power Seljuk Turks migrated into Middle East from Central Asia Took over Baghdad but left Abbasid caliph as a figurehead Mongols (Genghis Khan) left Central Asia across Southwest Asia Looted and burned Baghdad, killing the last Abbasid caliph Later Mongols converted to Islam

Muslim Civilization’s Golden Age Section 3

Social and Economic Advances Vast trading network Led to new business practices Developed a system of accounting Agriculture flourished Social Mobility Could move up in society with accomplishments Helped free slaves

Muslim Art, Literature, and Architecture Reflected diverse tradition s of various people under the Muslim rule Greeks, Romans, Persians, and Indians Prized the art of storytelling 1001 Nights- Best known collection of stories Perfected skills in calligraphy

Established Baghdad as the greatest Muslim center of learning Centers of Learning Established Baghdad as the greatest Muslim center of learning Cairo, Cordoba, and Timbuktu are also centers of learning Scholars made advances in philosophy, mathematics, medicine, and other fields

Al-Khwarizmi pioneered algebra Math & Medicine Al-Khwarizmi pioneered algebra Wrote a standard mathematics textbook used in Europe Pharmacists and Physicians had to pass a standardized test Learned to treat cataracts Created medical textbooks

India’s Muslim Empire Sec. 4

Delhi Sultanate After fall of Gupta Empire- India fragmented Trade networks linked India to Middle East, Southeast Asia, and China Sultan Muhmud of Ghanzi made Delhi his capital Marked the start of Muslim rule in northern India Muslims successful because Hindu princes battled each other instead of uniting Muslim rule brought changes to Indian Government and society 1398: Tamerlane invaded India India again fragmented into Hindu and Muslim states

Muslims and Hindus Clash Muslim conquest of Northern India inflicted disaster on Hindus and Buddhists Widespread destruction of Buddhist temples Many Hindus were killed In time relations became more peaceful Eventually Delhi Sultans grew more tolerant of their Hindu subjects Hinduism was ultimately seen as a monotheistic religion Hindus could practice their religion as long as they paid their poll tax Lower caste Hindus began to convert to Islam

Mughal India 1526: Turkish and Mongol armies poured into India Led by Babur- claimed descendent of Genghis Khan and Tamerlane Met sultan Ibrahim’s army North of Delhi Defeated Delhi sultanate and set up Mughal (Persian word for Mongol) Dynasty Stretched from Himalayas to the Deccan Plateau Chief builder of Mughal empire was Babur’s grandson- Akbar

Akbar the Great (1556-1605) He was a Muslim, but gained support of Hindu subjects He opened government jobs to Hindus of all castes Treated Hindu princes as his partners in ruling the empire Ended the tax on non-Muslims, married a Hindu princess Hoped to promote religious harmony through tolerance Used paid officials instead of hereditary officeholders Modernized the army Encouraged international trade and introduced land reforms

Akbar’s Successors Akbar’s son- Jahangir: weaker ruler than his father Left most details of government to his wife Nur Jahan Akbar’s grandson- Shah Jahan: high point of Mughal literature, art and architecture Had Taj Mahal built for his deceased wife and mother of his 14 children Planned to have a twin structure built next to Taj Mahal but his son usurped the throne and imprisoned until he died

Ottomans VS Safavids Section 5

Ottoman Empire (Sunni Muslims) They were a Turkish-speaking nomadic people who migrated from Central Asia into Northwest Asia Minor Mehmet II succeeded in capturing Constantinople Cannons helped the Ottomans out power the Byzantines Renamed the capital Istanbul Suleiman: “The Lawgiver” & Suleiman the Magnificent Extended the Ottoman Empire to be the largest and most powerful empire in Europe and the Middle East for centuries

After Suleiman’s death, the empire began to decline Killed two of his able sons because they were suspected of treason Under Selim II (Suleiman’s son) the bureaucracy became corrupt European advances left Ottomans behind Other empires began to conquer Ottoman lands

Safavids (Shiite Muslims) This dynasty had united an empire in Persia (Present day Iran) Were forced into constant warfare over religion Best known King- Shah Abbas (the Great) Used force and diplomacy against Ottomans Tolerated non-Muslims Safavids declined after death of Shah Abbas