Download File

Expansion of Islam
Setting the Stage
• Muhammad dies in 632
• Religion in crisis – No leader
• Is this a problem? If so, what
issues might appear?
Successors
• Muhammad had not
named a successor
• Following customs, AbuBakr becomes the 1st
caliph (“successor” or
“deputy”)
• “Rightly Guided” Caliphs
– Umar, Uthman, & Ali –
knew Muhammad
• Use the Qur’an &
Muhammad’s teachings
to lead = the Caliphate
Initial Problems & Expansion
• Tribes abandon Islam,
refuse to pay taxes, & some
declare themselves
prophets
• Abu-Bakr invokes jihad
(“striving”)
– Two Meanings
• By Abu-Bakr’s death in 634
– all of Arabia controlled
• Umar & Ali – fight the
Byzantines and Sassanids
expanding empire from the
Atlantic to the Indus River
Byzantine Empire – Greatest Extent
• 650 AD
• 867 AD
Reasons for Success
• These caliphs are successful
because they follow
Muhammad’s teachings
• Muslims view expansion as
full support from Allah =
fight to defend Islam
• Armies are disciplined &
have great commanders
• Use the weaknesses of the
Byzantines & Sassanids to
expand
– Empires crumbling
– Harsh treatment of peoples
– Islam offers equality
Conquered Peoples
• Qur’an forbids forced
conversion
• Conquered peoples
allowed to practice their
own religion
• Jews & Christians receive
special considerations –
why?
• Some restrictions: no
spreading of religion, pay
a special poll tax
• Could be officials,
bureaucrats, & scholars
Internal Conflict
• 656 – Uthman murdered
= civil war
• Ali (natural successor) is
challenged by Muawiya of
Syria
– Assassinated in 661
• Elective system dies with
him – why?
• Umayyads take control –
move capital to Damascus
• Abandon simple life –
surround themselves with
wealth
• Will cause division – why?
Sunni – Shi’a Split
• Majority of Muslims side
with Umayyads
• Minority resist – caliph
needs to be a descendant
of the Prophet
– Shi’a – “party” of Ali
• Ummayyads = Sunnis
(Follow Muhammad’s
example)
• Sufi – Life of poverty &
devotion
Change in Power
• 750 – Umayyads
overthrown by the
Abbasids
– Murder remaining
Umayyads
• Abd al-Rahman flees to
Spain, sets up Umayyad
caliphate
• Leads Berber army north
until defeat at the Battle
of Tours in 732
• From state in al-Andalus
in Southern Spain
Abbasid Power
• 762 – move capital to
Baghdad – consolidate
power
• Located on key trade &
communication networks
• Strong bureaucracy –
treasury, defense, &
business departments
• Send diplomats to take
care of affairs
• Tax land, imports,
exports, & non-Muslim
wealth to maintain rule
Independent Rivals
• Abbasid power was
strong, but rivals spring
up
• Independent states
dominate small regions all
across their land
• The Fatimid - descendents
of Fatima (Muhammad’s
daughter) – North Africa
– Trade, religion, & language
connect them to the
Abbasids
Trade Networks
• Sea Trade: Red &
Mediterranean Seas = trade
with the rest of the world
• Land Trade: Silk Road –
China – Middle East –
Europe & Africa
• Only one language & one
currency – Today?
• Banks set-up with credit
(sakks) – European origin?
• Cities explode & become
centers for the arts, science,
& achievements
The Silk Road
Trade Networks