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

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

3. 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 ( )
Succession (who would lead) would be constant problem

4. 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

5. 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

6. The Surrounding Empires

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Sunni
Shia
Vs.

12. 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)

13. 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

14. Arab advance into Europe stopped by Charles Martel at Poitiers

15. Umayyad make Damascus capital of empire

16. 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)

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

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

21. 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

22. 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

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