Download Conquest and Faith WHAP/Napp “When the Prophet died leaving no

Conquest and Faith
WHAP/Napp
“When the Prophet died leaving no male heir, the Muslim community feared that the
umma and its political organization would break up. To preserve them, the Muslim
leadership elected Abu Bakr (r. 632-634), one of Muhammad’s closest associates and the
father of his wife Aisha, as caliph – that is, successor to the Prophet and head of the Muslim
community. The next three caliphs [the first four caliphs are known as the Righteously
Guided Caliphs] were similarly elected from among Muhammad’s relatives and
companions, but amidst much more dissension. Abu Bakr mobilized to prevent Muslims
from deserting their new religion and the authority of its government, attacking those who
tried. Arabia was convulsed in tribal warfare. Their battles spilled over the borders of the
Arabian Peninsula. The Byzantine and Sassanid Empires saw the Arab troops encroaching
on their territories and fought back, but at the Battle of Ajnadayn (634), in southern
Palestine, the Arab clans combined to form a unified army and defeated the Byzantine
army. With their victory at Ajnadayn, the Arab warriors were no longer simple raiders in
search of plunder. They were now at war for the control of settled empires.
After Ali’s [the fourth caliph’s] assassination, the Umayyad [members of Uthman’s – the
third caliph’s – family or clan] leader, Mu’awiya (r. 661-680), declared himself caliph.
Moving the capital out of Arabia to Damascus in Syria, Mu’awiya distanced himself from
the original Muslim elite of the Arabian Peninsula. He opened Islam to more cosmopolitan
influences and a more professional style of imperial administration. Tension remained high
among the various religious and tribal factions. The Abbasid clan in northern Iran –
descended from an uncle of Muhammad named Abbas and also claiming support from
descendants from the line of Ali – revolted against the Umayyads. Supported by Arab
settlers in Iran who were protesting against high taxes, by Shi’as who were seeking their
own rule, and also by a faction from Yemen, the Abbasid clan overthrew the Umayyad
caliphate. In 750, Abu al-Abbas al-Saffah initiated the new Abbasid caliphate, which ruled
in reality for a century and a half but held power in name until 1258. Signaling new policy
directions, the Abbasid caliph built a new capital at Baghdad, 500 miles east of Damascus,
along the banks of the Tigris River, in the heart of the historic fertile crescent.”
~ The World’s History
1. Which of the following is true of the early
caliphs?
(A) The early caliphs quickly rejected many
of Muhammad's teachings.
(B) The caliph was strictly a political leader,
not a religious one.
(C) The early caliphs were unanimously
agreed upon by the umma.
(D) The early caliphs concentrated on
religious doctrine, not expansion.
(E) None of these answers is correct.
2. The Umayyad dynasty was founded by
(A) Shia.
(B) Sunnis.
(C) Abu al-Abbas.
(D) Abu Bakr.
(E) None of these answers is correct.
3. The issue that confronted Muslims
following Muhammad’s death, an issue
which eventually split the umma, involved
(A) toleration or persecution of minorities
(B) who was Muhammad’s successor
(C) the conversion of non-Muslims
(D) the morality of jihad
Key Words/ I. The Caliphate
Questions
A. When Muhammad died unexpectedly in 632, Abu Bakr became caliph
B. A Caliph is the chief political and religious leader of the umma
1. A Theocracy is a government (caliphate) regarded as divinely guided
2. No clear line of succession caused trouble
C. The First Four Caliphs
1. Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali
a) Ali was assassinated and was succeeded by his son, Hasan
b) Under pressure from prominent family in Mecca, Hasan
relinquished title, leading to establishment of Umayyad Dynasty
II. The Umayyad Dynasty
A. Capital moved to Damascus, Syria, although Mecca was spiritual center
B. Arabic became the official language of government
C. Empire extended as far as northern African and into Spain (ruled the
southern Iberian peninsula from the city of Córdoba)
D. But Charles Martel, Frank, stopped Muslim advance towards Paris
E. Despite successes (the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem and Córdoba
one of the richest cities in Europe), problems with succession
1. Muslims split into two camps, Shi’ite and Sunni
a) Shia hold that Mohammad’s son-in-law, Ali, was rightful heir
b) Sunnis believe that leaders can be any pious Muslim man
c) As Shia began to assert themselves, Umayyad Dynasty declined
III. The Abbasid Dynasty established when Abu al-Abbas defeated Umayyad
A. Established around 750 in all areas except Spain
B. Dates: 750 to 1258 (until defeated by Mongols)
C. Experienced a golden age: arts and sciences flourished
1. Mohammad al-Razi published a massive medical encyclopedia
2. Expanded knowledge learned from India; contributions in algebra
D. Built a magnificent capital at Baghdad
E. Importance of trade: merchants introduced the unique idea of credit
F. Papermaking – learned from Chinese Prisoners of War
G. Defeated Tang Chinese army during Battle of Talus River in 751 CE
1. Chinese prisoners of war were carrying paper money
H. Location of empire at crossroads of Europe/Asia – good for trade
I. Preservation of Greek and Roman learning
1. Significant role in preserving Western culture (like Byzantines)
J. Crusades and Rediscovery
1. Muslims and Christians battled for control of Levant (present-day
Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon) during Crusades
2. Europe found its own history preserved in Arabic libraries
K. Often tolerant
1. Particularly of Jews/Christians (“People of the Book” or dhimmis)
L. Sufis: Islamic mystics and effective missionaries
1. Stressed personal relationship with Allah; highly adaptable
Reflections:
1. During Abbasid times, the Arabs learned
from China the technique of making
(A) Fine silk.
(B) Woodblock prints.
(C) Gunpowder and cannons.
(D) Paper.
(E) All these answers are correct.
2. Islamic Spain, known as al-Andalus, was
(A) Controlled by Muslim Berber
conquerors.
(B) Not part of the Abbasid empire.
(C) The source of a failed invasion of
France.
(D) The home of Ibn Rushd (Averroes).
(E) All these answers are correct.
3. Which of the following was true of Sufis?
(A) They were very effective missionaries.
(B) They sought an emotional and mystical
union with Allah.
(C) They used emotional sermons and song
and dance to encourage devotion.
(D) They tolerated observances of some nonIslamic customs.
(E) All these answers are correct.
4. Which of the following was NOT a
consequence of the Moorish occupation of
Spain?
(A) The Moors brought advanced
knowledge of medicine and science.
(B) The Moors left behind a distinct artistic
and architectural style.
(C) The Moors persecuted Jewish scholars
and professionals.
(D) The Moors' presence caused other
European states to develop feudal defenses
more effectively.
5. The term “Islam” means
(A) Submission
(B) Peace
(C) Fortitude
(D) Thankfulness
6. Which of the following is true of the
Abbasid Caliphate?
(A) It presided over the golden age of
Islamic culture.
(B) It forbade Jews and Christians to
practice their own religions.
(C) It provided skilled and firm leadership
against the European crusades.
(D) It imposed sanctions on China and
refused to trade with the Far East.
7. Which of the following can most directly
be attributed to the Crusades?
(A) widespread adoption of gunpowder
weaponry throughout Eurasia
(B) European colonization of East African
and Southeast Asian ports
(C) heightened European desire to trade
with or control parts of Asia
(D) the accelerated eastward spread of
diseases such as cholera and smallpox
8.Sunnis and Shias split due to a
(A) Disagreement about the chapters of the
Qur’an
(B) Disagreement about what kind of
clothing women should wear
(C) Difference in opinion over who should
lead the Muslim community following
Muhammad’s death
(D) Difference of opinion about where the
early Muslim community should make its
home
9. Ali was
(A) The son-in-law of Muhammad
(B) Thought by some to be the rightful
successor to Muhammad
(C) Muhammad’s cousin
(D) All of the above
10. The word jihad means
(A) Pilgrimage
(B) To strive or struggle
(C) Fasting
(D) Prophecy
11. Which Muslim groups overthrew the
Umayyad dynasty and set up a new
caliphate?
(A) Sassanids
(B) Seljuks
(C) Abbasids
(D) Swahilis
(E) Sunnis
12. Which of the following was an
immediate effect of the initial Muslim
conquests of the seventh century C.E.?
(A) The elimination of Christianity and
Judaism from the Middle East
(B) The beginning of large-scale migration
of Turkic-speaking nomads from Central
Asia to the Middle East
(C) The weakening of the Byzantine
Empire and the collapse of other empires
(D) A decline in the social status of women
13. The type of wall decoration illustrated
above would most commonly be found in a
(A) Stupa
(B) Mosque
(C) Cathedral
(D) Temple
(E) Marketplace
14. The hijra is
(A) The emigration of the early Muslim
community from Mecca to Medina
(B) The annual pilgrimage to Mecca
(C) The written reports of how
Muhammad lived his life
(D) The term for Islamic law
Thesis Practice:
Analyze changes and continuities in political and religious leadership from the death of the
Prophet in 632 to 1258 in the Islamic world.
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Document Practice:
The prophet’s teachings proclaimed the equality of men and women before God and in
Islamic worship. Women, most notably his wife Khadijah, were some of Muhammad’s
earliest and bravest followers. They accompanied his forces to battle (as did the wives of
their adversaries) with the Meccans, and a woman was the first martyr for the new faith.
Many of the hadiths, or traditions of the prophet, which have played such a critical role in
Islamic law and ritual, were recorded by women. In addition, Muhammad’s wives and
daughters played an important role in compiling the Qur’an.
Source: World Civilizations: The Global Experience. Peter Stearns.2001
Main Idea:
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Define hadiths.
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How did Islam challenge patriarchy yet how did Islam reinforce patriarchy?
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