Muslim Achievements

Golden Age

Muhammad’s Death

632 C.E. Muhammad dies leaving his followers in grief with out a pious and powerful leader.

Abu Bakr – an early convert to Islam takes charge in an effort to keep the Arabs united in Islam.

Movements in Islam

Sunni’s, Shiites and Sufi– Sunni’s – Believe that the “caliph” should be

chosen by the religious leaders of the Muslim community

– Shiites’- the only true successor to Muhammad are the descendants of his daughter and son-in-law. (Fatima and Ali)

- Sufi – Muslim Mystics. Use fasting and meditation to reach Allah. (Missionaries of Islam)

The Spread of Islam

Muslim Lands at the time of Muhammad's Death. 632 C.E.

Muslim Lands under the first four Caliphs. 632-661 C.E.

The Spread of Islam

Muslim Lands under the Umayyad Caliphs. 661-750 C.E.

The Spread of Islam

Why was Islam able to spread?

Conquest

Society

Religion

Muslim Conquest

First four caliphs – Conquered vast chunks of the Byzantine empireSyria & Palestine (Damascus & Jerusalem)

UmayyadNorth Africa – Straight of Gibraltar to Spain

and part of France

Muslim Conquest

Why was conquest successful – Due to the weakness of the Byzantine and Persian empires.

Muslims -welcomed in conquered lands as liberators of the oppressive rulers

Common Religion– Brought Arab tribes together– Belief of the certainty of paradise for those who

die in battle.

Muslim Society

Muslim empire encompassed many different groups.

Learning centers - Syria, Persia, Spain, and Egypt

International flavorMarket towns = citiesBaghdad, Damascus, Cordoba, CairoBaghdad’s population = near 1 million

Muslim Society

Muslim Social classes: Upper class were Muslim born

Second class = Convert to Islam = paid higher taxes than upper class but less than non-Muslim people

Third class = (protected people) = Christians and Jews

Lowest = slaves = POW’s & non-M.

Muslim Society: Role of Women-

“Men are the managers of the affairs of women,” and “Righteous women are therefore obedient.” (Qur’an)

Believers = men & women are equalMore rights then European womenShari’a legal code: rights = marriage,

family & property

Muslim Society: Role of Women-

Qur’an = care for widows & orphans, divorce, & protected a woman’s inheritance

Poor wife = work fields with husband Wealthier women = supervised

household & servants Education = poets & scholars

Muslim Scholarship:

Advancement of science: DoctorsRelied on mathematicians & astronomersProphets emphasized scholarshipPreserved & expanded knowledge during

Middle ages al-Ma’mun = House of Wisdom = library,

academy, & translation center

Muslim: Art & Science

Page from a Manuscript of the Qur’an (37:12-17)Abbasid Caliphatesecond half of 9th century

Illuminated Opening Page from a Manuscript of Hadith (Muslim Tradition)Iran or Iraq12th-early 13th century

Muslim: Art & Science

House of Wisdom = researchers, editors, linguists, & technical advisers

Standards and techniques for research = part of basic methods of today

Muslim: Art & Science

al- Razi = was greatest physician in Muslim world: wrote “Comprehensive Book” & “Treatise on Smallpox & Measles”

Muslim: Art & Science

Mathematician = Al-Khwarizmi created al-jabr = algebra

Muslim: Art & Science

Ibn al-Haytham = wrote “Optics” = used to develop lenses for telescopes and microscopes

Ibn Rushd = tried to harmonize Aristotle & Plato’s views with Islam (Shari’a)

Muslim: Art & Science

Jewish Philosopher = Moses Ben Maimon =“The Guide of the Perplexed” = blended philosophy, religion, and science

Literature: poetry = bravery, love, life, & generosity

“The Thousand and One Nights” = fairy tales & legends

Muslim: Art & Science

Architecture: Building reflected the culture of the people

Blended styles = Roman, Byzantine

Muslim: Art & Science

Unified Muslim state broke up

Three Empires: Ottoman, Safavid, & Mughal

Muslim knowledge was later draw upon during the Renaissance