Islam Expands Chapter 10 Section 2

Muhammad’s Successors Muhammad did not name successor or how to choose one Muslim community elected Abu-Bakr (loyal friend) as first caliph Caliph = “successor” or “deputy” New political formation = “caliphate” Muhammad’s father-in-law, Abu Bakr, was named the khalifa (caliph) or “Successor”

Rightly Guided Caliphs “Rightly Guided Caliphs” = the first four caliphs Abu-Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali All personally had known Muhammad Known as “rightly guided” because they used Muhammad’s actions and the Qur’an as guides for leadership

Concept of Jihad jihad means “striving” – inner struggle against evil Also used to mean armed struggle against unbelievers Abu-Bakr used jihad to encourage & justify the expansion of Islam

Muslim Conquests Muslims eventually conquered Syria, lower Egypt, Sassanid Empire (Persia) Stretched from Atlantic Ocean in west to Indus River in the east Treatment of Conquered Peoples Religious freedom (Qur’an forbids forced conversion) Christians & Jews were “people of the book” Non-Muslims paid poll tax & certain restrictions

Reasons for Success 1) Desire to spread their faith Victories seen as sign of Allah’s support Fought to defend Islam 2) Armies were well disciplined & expertly commanded 3) Non-followers of Christianity & Zoroastrianism were persecuted by Byzantines & Sassanid Empires, so they welcomed Muslim invaders

Internal Conflict = Crisis Difficult to keep unified rule Uthman murdered – civil war erupts – struggle for power Ali (relative of Muhammad) v. Muawiya (governor of Syria) Ali was assassinated Umayyad family came to power Moved capital to Damascus Surrounded with wealth, ceremony

Civil War – the Umayyads Umayyads came to power & moved Muslim capital to Damascus Split between Shi’a and Sunni Muslims Sunni Shi’a Believe that first four caliphs were “Rightly Guided” Believe that Ali should have succeeded Muhammad Muslim rulers should follow the Sunna All Muslim rulers should be descended from Muhammad; don’t recognize the Sunna Claim that the Shi’a distorted the meaning of passages in the Qur’an Claim that the Sunni have distorted the meaning of passages in the Qur’an

Split of Islam Division over Umayyad rule, office of caliph The Shi’a believed the caliph should be descendant of Muhammad The Sunni believed that a caliph could be a ruler who followed the Sunna (Muhammad’s example), not necessarily a descendant Both accused of misinterpreting the Qur’an The Sufi rejected the luxurious life of the Umayyads

Growth of Muslim Empire Umayyad caliphate set up in Spain Berbers (Muslims from N. Africa) also settled in Spain Abbasids Consolidate Power - replaced the Umayyads as ruler of the empire Moved the capital to Baghdad (key for trade) Developed strong bureaucracy

Rival Groups Divide Muslim Lands Abbasids failed to keep control Independent Muslim states arose For example, the Fatimid Caliphate (Shi’a who claimed descent from Muhammad’s daughter Fatima) The Abbasid caliphate was connected to the independent Muslims through religion, trade, and economy

Muslim Trade Muslim Empire had access to both land and sea trade Single language (Arabic) and single currency (dinar) made travel & trade easier Banks offered sakks, or letters of credit, to merchants Merchant with sakk from one city could exchange it for cash in another city In English, pronounced “check”

Muslim Culture Chapter 10 Section 3

Muslim Society Cultural traditions combined with Arabic culture Preserved Greek and Roman knowledge Today’s Goal: Explain the contributions of Muslim culture to the arts, literature, science, math, and philosophy

Muslim Cities Damascus, Córdoba, Cairo, Jerusalem Cities symbolized strength of caliphate Baghdad (Abbasid capital) Extensive planning Circular design of three protective walls Palace of marble and stone at center Main streets lined w/shops

Social Classes & Women Upper class = Muslim at birth Second class = converts to Islam Third class = “protected peoples” Lowest class = slaves Qur’an stated men and women were equal in faith shari’a gave women more economic & property rights Yet still subservient to men Some women were educated, participated in public life

Muslim Scholarship & Knowledge The Prophet emphasized learning House of Wisdom = library, academy, & translation center in Baghdad Scholars of various cultures worked together to translate texts

Muslim Literature Qur’an is standard for all Arabic literature Poets praised the Prophet, Islam, & caliphs Nature & pleasures of life Ten Thousand and One Nights Collection of fairy tales, parables, legends

Muslim Philosophy Preserved works of Greek philosophers “Ideal Man” – blend of cultures The ideal and morally perfect man should be of East Persian derivation, Arabic in faith, of Iraqi education, a Hebrew in astuteness, a disciple of Christ in conduct, as pious as a Greek monk, a Greek in the individual sciences, an Indian in the interpretation of all mysteries, but lastly and especially a Sufi in his whole spiritual life. Ikhwan as-Safa, The World of Islam

Muslim Art & Architecture Muslims discouraged images of living things Calligraphy  beautiful handwriting Geometric patterns in woodwork, glass, ceramics, textiles Architecture represents cultural blending Great Mosque of Damascus – dome & vaulted ceiling Great Mosque of Córdoba – two tiers of arches to support ceiling

Muslim Medicine Persian scholar al-Razi (Rhazes) – great physician Comprehensive Book, Treatise on Smallpox & Measles Patients recover quickly if breathed clean air

Muslim Math & Science Solve problems by conducting experiments in lab settings Al-Khwarizmi  al-jabr (algebra) Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen)  Optics Revolutionary ideas about vision

Astronomy  needed for religious purposes Muslim observatories Astrolabe (navigation) Armillary sphere