1. The Rise of Islam
Ms. Jerome Chapter 11

2. Spread of Islam from inception to present

3. The Birthplace of a New World Religion
Islam arose in the Arabian peninsula
Extremely tribal—religious melting pot
Reflected the social and cultural conditions of its homeland
The epicenter of post classical long distance trade.
Arabia—important link in trade between China and India in the east and Persia nad Byzantium in the west

4. Muhammad and His Message
Muhammad born 570 –merchant family in Mecca
By 30 Muhammad had established himself as a merchant
Arabian Peninsula was diverse— polytheism, Judaism etc.
Age 40- spiritual transformation.
Experienced visions understood as revelations from Allah – archangel Gabriel
Believed in one true God

5. Quran
Muslims compiled the versions of Muhammad’s revelations in the Quran “recitation”
It is the authority of Muslim religious doctrine
Allah the same omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent and exclusive deity as the Jews’ Yahweh and Christians’ God

6. Muhammad’s Migration to Medina
Conflict with ruling elite in Mecca
Allah as only divine power challenged the common polytheism
Muhammad also denounced greed as a moral wickedness and idolatry
622 under mounting pressure, Muhammad fled to Yathrib later called Medina “the city of the prophet”
Hirja- the migration to Medina is the starting point on Islamic calendar

7. Islam in Arabia 629 Muhammad wished to return to Mecca
In 630 with followers attacked mecca and conquered the city
Imposed a government dedicated to Allah
Destroyed pagan shrines-replaced with mosques
Through multiple campaigns, by 632 (Muhammad’s death) most of Arabia under Islamic control

8. 5 Pillars 1. Allah the only god and Muhammad as prophet
2. Pray to Allah daily facing Mecca
3. Observe a fast during the daylight hours during Ramadan
4. Contribution of alms for the weak and poor
5. To honor Muhammad’s visit to Mecca in 629, must undertake the hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca

9. Jihad “struggle”
Spiritual and moral obligation on Muslims- to conquer vice and evil
Muslims to struggle against ignorance and unbelief by spreading the word of Islam and seeking conversions
The obligation to take the sword and wage war against unbelievers who threaten Islam

10. Sharia Islamic Holy Law Emerged after Muhammad
Detailed guidance on proper behavior in almost every aspect of life
From marriage and family life to slavery, inheritance, business and commercial relationship
Islam—not just a religion, a way of life

11. Expansion of Islam NO provision for a successor
Advisors selected Abu Bakr –Muhammad’s father in law— “caliph” (deputy) Sunni.
Many people wanted Ali—Muhammad’s son in law to be leader. Shia
A Lieutenant of Muhammad, not a prophet himself
Abu Bakr became head of state for the Islamic community and umma (community of the faithful)
Went on the offensive and claimed much of the region to accept Islam

12. Abu Bakr (Sunni) Ali (Shia)

13. Divided Islam Struggle to name successors intensified
Sunni and Shia Sects emerged
Sunni Muslims: caliphs were rightful political and military leaders, chosen by the Islamic community (Abu Bakr a rightly guided Caliph)
Shia Muslims: leaders should be blood relatives of Muhammad, descended from Ali and his son Husayn (cousin and son in law of Muhammad)
Ali served as Caliph from ; assassinated along with much of his family line

15. Expanding Islam
Between , Muslim forces seized Byzantine Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia, North Africa
In 711 conquered northern India
Between 711 and 718 crossed Strait of Gibraltar and conquered Iberian peninsula.

16. Umayyad Dynasty Post assassination of Ali from 661-750 Sunni sect
Temporarily solved problem of succession
Umayyads ranked among most prominent of the Meccan merchant clans
Moved capital to Damascus in Syria— central location
Believed in Arab military aristocracy

17. Umayyad Dynasty

18. Policy Toward Conquered People
Conquered Jews, Christians, Persians, Indians, Greeks, Mesopotamians etc.
Allowed them to view own religious practices
Imposed a jizya—tax on non Muslims
Umayyads favored the Arab elites— caused resentment

19. Decline of Umayyad Caliphs became alienated form other Arabs
Too devoted to luxurious living than leadership of the umma
Fierce resistance of Shia and conquered peoples

20. Abbasid Dynasty Founder: Abu al-Abbas
Leader of Persian rebellion vs. Umayyyad Dynasty
Descendent of Muhammad’s uncle
He was Sunni he allied with Shias and with non Arab Muslims
Seized control of Persia and Mesopotamia –shattered Umayyad forces in huge battle
Founded Abbasid Dynasty

21. Abbasid Dynasty No special favor to Arabs
Persians, Egyptians, Mesopotamians and others rose in wealth and power
Adopted Persian governmental practices— introduced governors to rule
Not a conquering dynasty
Did not expand through conquest
Dar al Islam (the community of Islam) expanded but not by the Abbasid dynasty
Merchants, others expanded it

22. Baghdad Central authority (capital Iraq)
Became center of banking, commerce, crafts, industry, population

23. Abbasid Decline Civil War damaged Abbasid authority
Disputes over succession became problem
Provincial governors took advantage of disorder
Abbasids became figureheads
The dynasty would be extinguished at the hands of the Mongols in 1258