Download Rise of the Arab Empire

Homework

I-4 due Monday

Quiz on Islam Friday (20 multiple choice
questions).
Aim #4: How did the Muslims succeed
in building an empire, and what
divisions emerged within that empire?

Do Now: Based on your discussion of the
Five Pillars and the other core beliefs of
Islam, what do you see as some of the key
similarities between Islam and Judaism and
Christianity? What are some of the
differences?
I. Islam vs. Judaism/Christianity

Similarities

“People of the Book:”

Differences

Each have a holy book with
similar teachings.


Believe in heaven, hell,
and a final day of
judgment.
Muslims view Jesus as a
prophet, but not the son
of God.
Qur’an perfects the
teachings of the Torah
and the Bible.
II. Muhammad Dies
A.
Muhammad dies in 632 A.D., two years after
returning to Mecca
B.
Abu Bakr (Muh’s father-in-law) becomes the
caliph, or the successor to Muh as political
leader of the Muslims.
III. The Age of Conquests
A. Abu Bakr succeeds
in holding Muslims together.
B. Between 632-750 A.D.,
Abu Bakr and the following
caliphs conquer big chunks
of Byzantine Empire, Persian
Empire, Northern Africa and
Spain (center at Cordoba).
Critical Thinking Question

Which of the following factors do you think
contributed the most to the Muslim Empire
spreading so quickly?

Belief in jihad: Waging war against nonbelievers in
the name of the Muslim religion.

Byzantines and the Persians were weak and divided.

Kind treatment of conquered peoples (Jews and
Christians allowed to serve as officials and scholars).
IV. Religious Divisions
A.
Shiites vs. Sunnis - Caliphs Ali (Muh’s son-in-law) and
Husayn (Muh’s grandson) are assassinated, replaced
by the Umayyad Dynasty (rule Muslim Empire from 661750, capital in Damascus).

Shiites: Loyal to Ali and Husayn.
 Caliph must be a direct descendant of Muhammad
and should be viewed as a holy figure.

Sunnis: Loyal to the Umayyads.
 Caliph can be any qualified individual of the Muslim
community. He should be viewed only as a political
leader.
Sunnis vs. Shiites Activity

Read over the comparison chart of Sunnis and
Shiites, and make a list of the most important
similarities and differences between them.
Concluding Question

What effects do you predict the Sunni/Shiite
split will have on the future of the Muslim
Empire?