The Spread of Islam

27 Pages·2011·1 MB·English

by  Information Technology

Section 2
Muslim Civilization
The Spread of Islam
Main Idea
After Muhammad’s death, Islam spread beyond the Arabian Peninsula,
shaping a major empire within 100 years. While the empire eventually
broke into smaller parts, Islam continued to spread.
Reading Focus
• How did Islam evolve after Muhammad’s death?
• What were key events of the Umayyad dynasty?
• What changes occurred under the Abbasid dynasty?
• What led to the end of the caliphate’s unity?
Section 2
Muslim Civilization
Islam after Muhammad’s Death
The death of Muhammad in 632 presented a challenge for the Muslim
community. Who would lead the group and keep it unified? The
answer affected the faith’s spread and its future.
Muhammad’s Priorities Expansion of
Successors Territory

• Muhammad had not • Abu Bakr focused on • Abu Bakr, successor
named successor bringing back bedouin Umar, expanded
tribes Muslim rule rapidly
• No clear candidate
• Built strong Arab • 637 early victory
• Abu Bakr, close
fighting forces to keep against Persian
companion, early
tribes under control forces in Iraq
convert, chosen
leader, called caliph, • Reunified Arabia, led • 642 victory over
“successor” forces north Persian Empire
complete
Section 2
Muslim Civilization
More Expansion
More Expansion
• After Iraq, Persia, Arab army faced wealthy Byzantine Empire to west
• Byzantines first lost Damascus, Syria, Jerusalem
• 639, Byzantine province of Egypt fell; 642, rest of Nile Valley under Arab rule
Empire
• Only 10 years after Muhammad’s death, followers had created empire
• Conquests continued under later caliphs
• 661, caliphate stretched from northern Africa in west to Persia in East
Internal Conflict and Division
• Deep conflict within Muslim leadership, began with choice of Abu Bakr, caliph
• Some had supported Muhammad’s cousin, Ali
• 644, Ali lost again, to Uthman, supported by powerful Mecca clan Umayyad
Section 2
Muslim Civilization
Civil War
Ali’s Troubles Sunnis and Shias
• Umayyads had been • Most Muslims accepted
Muhammad’s enemies, Umayyad caliph, Mu-wiyah
converted reluctantly, were
unpopular • Called Sunnis, “followers of the
Sunna,” or “way of the Prophet”
• Uthman killed by rebels
• Ali’s supporters refused to go
• Ali became caliph, but troubles along with Umayyads.
had just begun
• Became known as the Shia,
• Civil war broke out between “party of Ali”
Ali’s forces, Umayyad; Ali killed,
Umayyad retook control
Section 2
Muslim Civilization
The Shia and Imams
Shia believed God had specially blessed Ali’s
descendants
• Ali’s descendants, Muhammad’s true heirs
• Shia called each of Ali’s successors imam
– Imam means “leader”
– For the shia, only imams can interpret the Qur’an.
Section 2
Muslim Civilization
The Umayyad Dynasty
Under the Umayyad caliphs, Muslim rule spread. Internal problems
weakened the Umayyads, though, and led to their fall.
Continued Expansion Military Conquests
• Umayyads strengthened rule • Armies conquered territory to
after death of Husayn borders of China, Indus River
Valley, to east
• Achievements:
• Took northern Africa, most of
– Established Arabic as official
Spain, to west
language
• Conquests spread Muslim
– Made coinage uniform
faith, while allowing religious
throughout empire
freedom for people; some
– Began first great work of
restrictions, taxes for Non-
Islamic architecture, Dome of
Muslims however
the Rock in Jerusalem
Section 2
Muslim Civilization
Ruling the Empire
• Umayyads strengthened central government as caliphate grew in size
• Arab Muslims became ruling class, with power, privilege unavailable to those
they conquered
• Creation of privileged class conflicted with strong Muslim ideal of equality
• Wars over succession also upsetting to many faithful, unhappy with
emphasis on political ambition
End of the Umayyads Rebellion
• Displeasure with Umayyads • Abbasids, led by descendant of
widespread Muhammad’s uncle, united many
Umayyad opponents by appearing
• Shia continued opposition
to support their causes
• Also unrest among conquered
• Abbasids wiped out Umayyads in
people, some Arab tribes
series of battles, late 740s
• Umayyads weakened by
• Caliphate entered Abbasid dynasty
discontent, time ripe for rebellion
Section 2
Muslim Civilization
Sequence

What events brought about the end of the
Umayyad dynasty?
Answer(s): A family called the Abbasids took
advantage of discontent with the Umayyads and
established a new caliphate.
Section 2
Muslim Civilization
The Abbasid Dynasty
Baghdad Persian Influence
• Abbasids relocated capital of • Move to Baghdad beginning of
caliphate; rulers lived in end of Arab domination of
splendor (Golden Age) Muslim world
• Chose Baghdad, on Tigris • Abbasids adopted Persian style
River, in present-day Iraq of government
Government Change in Islam
• Rulers cut off from people • Nature of Islam changed
• Caliph hidden behind screen in • Abbasids invited all to join in,
throne room, could not be seen turned Islam into universal
religion, attracted people of
• Used Persian officials; vizier,
many cultures
deputy, oversaw affairs of state
Section 2
Muslim Civilization
A Changing Culture
Importance of Trade Funding for Change
• Islam spread through trade • Trade helped fund cultural
achievement
• Muslim traders journeyed from
end to end of caliphate, • Most prominent Abbasid caliph,
exchanging goods and Harun al-Rashid, helped bring
information culture to great heights, 786 to
809
• Exchange brought Islam to
West Africa, Southeast Asia • Support of scholarship helped
produce lasting achievements
of Islamic arts, sciences