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The Arab Empire
Reviewing Islam
• Question…Who was the prophet of Islam?
– Answer…Muhammad
• Question…What was Islam’s holy city?
– Answer…Mecca
• Question…Where is was this city located?
– Answer…Modern day Saudi Arabia.
• Question…What was the Hijra?
– Answer…Muhammad fled Mecca for the
city of Medinah only to come back later
with an army of followers and conquer the city
in the name of Allah.
• Question…What are the five pillars of Islam?
– Answer…Testimony, prayer, alms-giving, fasting
during Ramadan, Hajj
Arab Rule
• Muhammad dies in
632AD
– Muhammad’s father-in-law,
Abu Bakr, chosen as the
next leader of Islam
– Caliph
• Abu Bakr united the
Muslims into one empire.
– Begins to expand.
• Jihad
– Means “struggle” in
arabic.
– Fair, defensive.
– Permitted in the Qu’ran.
Question: What empire is right next to the Arab Empire?
ARABS
Arab Empire Expands
•Arabs take Egypt, Syria, and the
Persian Empire.
Answer = Byzantine
Empire!
Tolerant Rulers
• In conquered areas,
Christians and Jews
were allowed to
continue to practice
their religions.
• Tolerant of “People of
the Book”
– Follow scriptures
revealed to them before
Muhammad.
• Must still obey Muslim
rule and pay taxes.
The Umayyads
• When Abu Bakr dies, there
was no clear choice for
Caliph
– One was Ali, Muhammad’s
son-in-law.
– Fights against Mu’awiyah
(powerful general) for
caliphate.
• Mu’awiyah takes over in 661
A.D.
– Wants to make the caliphate a
hereditary position.
• Forms the Umayyad dynasty
– Continues expanding
ARABS
Mu’awiyah Expands the Arab (Now called Umayyad) Empire
•Arabs conquer Berbers and Spain by 725 A.D.
•Arab expansion into Europe was stopped with their defeat at the
Battle of Tours (vs. the Franks) in 732 A.D.
Islam Splits!
• The large size of the
Umayyad Empire led to
problems…
• There is a failed revolt led
by Ali Hussein
– Ali Hussein = second son to Ali
(son-in-law of Muhammad).
• This struggle led to the
split of Islam…
– Shia = Believe only
descendents of Ali can be
Caliph.
– Sunni = Accepted Umayyad
rule.
• Now, believe Caliphs must be
elected.
Abbasid Dynasty
• Eventually the
Umayyad’s are
overthrown and the
Abbasid Dynasty is
established in 750 A.D.
• Key leader: Harun alRashid
– “Golden age” of the
Arab Empire.
• Advancements in arts and
learning.
The Great Mosque of Samarra
Spain
Morocco
Egypt
Abbasids lose power
•When Harun al-Rashid died (809AD), parts of the empire begin to
break away and establish independent dynasties.
•One part was the Turks…
The Seljuk Turks
• In 1055, a Turkish leader captured Baghdad and
claimed himself sultan, or “holder of power.”
• Under new Turkish leadership, the Arab Empire
began to increase pressure on their neighbors,
the Byzantine Empire…