The Rise of Islam Ms. Jerome Chapter 11

Spread of Islam from inception to present

The Birthplace of a New World ReligionIslam arose in the Arabian

peninsulaExtremely tribal—religious

melting potReflected the social and cultural

conditions of its homelandThe 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

Muhammad and His MessageMuhammad born 570 –merchant

family in MeccaBy 30 Muhammad had established

himself as a merchantArabian Peninsula was diverse—

polytheism, Judaism etc.Age 40- spiritual transformation.

◦Experienced visions understood as revelations from Allah – archangel Gabriel

◦Believed in one true God

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

Muhammad’s Migration to MedinaConflict with ruling elite in MeccaAllah as only divine power challenged

the common polytheismMuhammad also denounced greed as

a moral wickedness and idolatry622 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

Islam in Arabia629 Muhammad wished to return to

MeccaIn 630 with followers attacked mecca

and conquered the cityImposed a government dedicated to

AllahDestroyed pagan shrines-replaced with

mosquesThrough multiple campaigns, by 632

(Muhammad’s death) most of Arabia under Islamic control

5 Pillars 1. Allah the only god and Muhammad

as prophet2. Pray to Allah daily facing Mecca3. Observe a fast during the daylight

hours during Ramadan4. Contribution of alms for the weak

and poor5. To honor Muhammad’s visit to

Mecca in 629, must undertake the hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca

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

Sharia Islamic Holy LawEmerged after MuhammadDetailed 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

Expansion of IslamNO provision for a successorAdvisors selected Abu Bakr –Muhammad’s

father in law— “caliph” (deputy) Sunni.Many people wanted Ali—Muhammad’s son

in law to be leader. ShiaA Lieutenant of Muhammad, not a prophet

himselfAbu 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

Abu Bakr (Sunni) Ali (Shia)

Divided Islam Struggle to name successors intensified Sunni and Shia Sects emergedSunni 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 656-661; assassinated along with much of his family line

Expanding Islam Between 633-637, Muslim forces

seized Byzantine Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia, North Africa

In 711 conquered northern IndiaBetween 711 and 718 crossed

Strait of Gibraltar and conquered Iberian peninsula.

Umayyad DynastyPost assassination of Ali from

661-750Sunni sectTemporarily solved problem of

successionUmayyads ranked among most

prominent of the Meccan merchant clans

Moved capital to Damascus in Syria—central location

Believed in Arab military aristocracy

Umayyad Dynasty

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

Decline of UmayyadCaliphs became alienated form

other Arabs Too devoted to luxurious living

than leadership of the ummaFierce resistance of Shia and

conquered peoples

Abbasid DynastyFounder: Abu al-AbbasLeader of Persian rebellion vs.

Umayyyad DynastyDescendent of Muhammad’s uncleHe was Sunni he allied with Shias

and with non Arab MuslimsSeized control of Persia and

Mesopotamia –shattered Umayyad forces in huge battle

Founded Abbasid Dynasty

Abbasid DynastyNo special favor to ArabsPersians, Egyptians, Mesopotamians and

others rose in wealth and powerAdopted Persian governmental practices

—introduced governors to ruleNot a conquering dynastyDid not expand through conquestDar al Islam (the community of Islam)

expanded but not by the Abbasid dynasty

Merchants, others expanded it

BaghdadCentral authority (capital Iraq)Became center of banking,

commerce, crafts, industry, population

Abbasid Decline Civil War damaged Abbasid

authorityDisputes over succession became

problemProvincial governors took

advantage of disorder Abbasids became figureheads The dynasty would be

extinguished at the hands of the Mongols in 1258