Muslim Civilization

Section 2

The Spread of Islam

Preview
Main Idea / Reading Focus Islam after Muhammads Death Map: Spread of Islam The Umayyad Dynasty The Abbasid Dynasty The End of Unity Quick Facts: The End of Unity

Muslim Civilization

Section 2

The Spread of Islam

Main Idea
After Muhammads 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 Muhammads death? What were key events of the Umayyad dynasty? What changes occurred under the Abbasid dynasty? What led to the end of the caliphates unity?

Muslim Civilization

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Islam after Muhammads 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 faiths spread and its future. Muhammads Successors
Muhammad had not named successor No clear candidate Abu Bakr, close companion, early convert, chosen leader, called caliph, successor

Priorities
Abu Bakr focused on bringing back bedouin tribes Built strong Arab fighting forces to keep tribes under control Reunified Arabia, led forces north

Expansion of Territory
Abu Bakr, successor Umar, expanded Muslim rule rapidly 637 early victory against Persian forces in Iraq 642 victory over Persian Empire complete

Muslim Civilization

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More Expansion
More Expansion
After Iraq, Persia, Arab army faced wealthy Byzantine Empire to west Byantines first lost Damascus, Syria, Jerusalem 639, Byzantine province of Egypt fell; 642, rest of Nile Valley under Arab rule

Empire
Only 10 years after Muhammads 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 Muhammads cousin, Ali 644, Ali lost again, to Uthman, supported by powerful Mecca clan Umayyad

Muslim Civilization

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Civil War
Alis Troubles Umayyads had been Muhammads enemies, converted reluctantly, were unpopular Uthman killed by rebels Ali became caliph, but troubles had just begun Civil war broke out between Alis forces, Umayyad; Ali killed, Umayyad retook control Alis supporters refused to go along with Umayyads. Became known as the Shia, party of Ali Sunnis and Shias Most Muslims accepted Umayyad caliph, Muawiya Called Sunnis, followers of the Sunna, or way of the Prophet

Muslim Civilization

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The Shia and Imams Shia believed God had specially blessed Alis descendants
Alis descendants, Muhammads true heirs Shia called each of Alis successors imam
Imam means leader For the shia, only imams can interpret the Quran.

Muslim Civilization Conflict

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Conflict deepened between Sunni, Shia after deaths of Muawiya, Ali Many thought Yazid, Muawiyas son, successor, not a good Muslim Muhammads grandson, Husayn, led rebellion against Yazid Husayn, forces defeated in battle at Karbala, Iraq

Further Division
Husayn killed while holding infant son, battle became known as the martyrdom of Husayn; split between Sunni, Shia has remained bitter Third group developed within Islamthe Sufis Sufis seek mystical, personal connection with God, using range of practices including breath control and meditation in rituals

Muslim Civilization

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Muslim Civilization

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Find the Main Idea What was the result of the succession conflict?
Answer(s): Two different Muslim groups emergedthe Sunni and the Shia

Muslim Civilization

Section 2

The Umayyad Dynasty

Under the Umayyad caliphs, Muslim rule spread. Internal problems weakened the Umayyads, though, and led to their fall.

Continued Expansion
Umayyads strengthened rule after death of Husayn Achievements:
Established Arabic as official language Made coinage uniform throughout empire Began first great work of Islamic architecture, Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem

Military Conquests
Armies conquered territory to borders of China, Indus River Valley, to east Took northern Africa, most of Spain, to west Conquests spread Muslim faith, while allowing religious freedom for People of the Book; some restrictions, taxes for Non-Muslims however

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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

Displeasure with Umayyads widespread Shia continued opposition Also unrest among conquered people, some Arab tribes Umayyads weakened by discontent, time ripe for rebellion

Rebellion
Abbasids, led by descendant of Muhammads uncle, united many Umayyad opponents by appearing to support their causes Abbasids wiped out Umayyads in series of battles, late 740s Caliphate entered Abbasid dynasty

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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.

Muslim Civilization

Section 2

The Abbasid Dynasty

Baghdad
Abbasids relocated capital of caliphate; rulers lived in splendor Chose Baghdad, on Tigris River, in present-day Iraq

Persian Influence
Move to Baghdad beginning of end of Arab domination of Muslim world Abbasids adopted Persian style of government

Government
Rulers cut off from people Caliph hidden behind screen in throne room, could not be seen Used Persian officials; vizier, deputy, oversaw affairs of state

Change in Islam
Nature of Islam changed Abbasids invited all to join in, turned Islam into universal religion, attracted people of many cultures

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A Changing Culture
Importance of Trade
Islam spread through trade Muslim traders journeyed from end to end of caliphate, exchanging goods and information Exchange brought Islam to West Africa, Southeast Asia

Funding for Change

Trade helped fund cultural achievement Most prominent Abbasid caliph, Harun al-Rashid, helped bring culture to great heights, 786 to 809 Support of scholarship helped produce lasting achievements of Islamic arts, sciences

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Contrast How did the Abbasids differ from the Umayyads?

Answer(s): The Abbasids focused more on prosperity and cultural advancement than on empire expansion.

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The End of Unity

As early as the 800s, Abbasid political power weakened. By the 900s, a number of small, independent states broke away from the caliphate.

Challenges from Europe

European Christians weakened Muslim rule Christian armies began to drive Muslims out of Spain, 1000s European Christians began Crusades Wanted to make Holy Land Christian, won at first Muslims eventually retook Jerusalem

Problems from Egypt

969, serious threat, Fatimid dynasty established in Egypt Claimed descent from Muhammads daughter Fatimah From Egypt, controlled Mediterranean, Red Sea Disrupted Abbasid trade Fatamids soon richer, more powerful than Abbasids

Muslim Civilization

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Seljuk Turks and Others

Seljuk Turks
Many non-Arabs among peoples of caliphate, including Turks 1055, Turkish Seljuks rose to power, took control of Baghdad Seljuks were Sunni Muslims, supported Abbasid caliph

War Against Byzantine Empire

Seljuks defended Abbasids against Fatimids, went to war against Byzantine Empire, defeated Byzantines at Battle of Manzikert Seljuks would go on to create own empire

Mamluks and Mongols

1200s, Mamluks took power in Egypt, Syria 1258, Mongols destroyed Baghdad, killed Abbasid caliph; caliphate finished Islam still a vital force, spread to India, Central and Southeast Asia

Muslim Civilization

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Muslim Civilization

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Summarize What forces ended the unity of the caliphate?

Answer(s): Abbasids lost political power when small independent states broke away.