Chapter 9: Islamic Empire

Palmyra

Petra

Review Questions

• How was the prophet Muhammad different than Jesus or Siddartha (Buddha)?

• A: Unlike Jesus and the first Buddha, Muhammad was also a political and military leader

• How is Islam different than Christianity?• A: Biggest difference is that in Islam the state and

religion were bound from the very start. Early Christian states had 2 co-existing authorities, church and state. In Islam no separate religious organization developed, no professional clergy, no distinction between civil and religious law (all together Sharia).

• What were the motives for the expansion of the Islamic empire?

• A: This was a continuation of a long pattern of tribal raids, now however they can amass a stronger, larger army. They sought to take over the profitable trade routes and wealthy agricultural areas to the north.

• Why was it so easy for them in their early conquests of Persia and Byzantium?

• A: Persia and Byzantium had been weakened from decades of war and internal revolts.

• Why were Jews, Christians and Zoroastrians at first “protected subjects” under the Muslim empire?

• A: They were considered “people of the book” meaning the Old Testament, which was a sacred text for Muslims. They are all “children of Abraham”. Also, the Muslims wanted the least amount of conflict as they conquered, so they were tolerant. Muslims, by the mid 700s, saw Islam as a universal religion for all.

• What did Jews, Christians and Zoroastrians have to do?

• A: pay a tax

• Why would some people want to convert to Islam at that time?

• A: Avoid the tax, merchant friendly/huge empire good for trade, easier to get government jobs so it was an aid to social mobility, not so different than Judaism or Christianity in its’ practices

Also, within the empire ones’ cultural identity was often bound to a belief in Allah and Muhammad. The growing prestige of the Arab empire was also an attraction.

• What is the basic difference in opinion, or conflict of ideas, between Sunni and Shia Muslims?

• A: Question arose after Muhammad’s death as to who should be the successor to the prophet (Caliph). Sunnis believed that the caliph should be chosen by the community. The Shia believe that the caliph should be a blood relative of Muhammad.

• Who are the Umayyad?• A: the first Caliphate (661-750)

• Who were their ruling class?• A: an Arab military aristocracy

• Where was their capital?• A: Damascus (Syria)

• How were they viewed by many Arabs?• A: as luxurious and impious

• Who were the Abbasids?• A: the second Caliphate (750-1258)• Describe their political authority.• A: Regional governments (within the caliphate) begin to

assert their authority, so the empire fractures; regions increasingly are ruled by non-Arabs (mostly Persians)

• What is the term for Islamic law?• A: Sharia (focuses on correct behavior)

• Which three groups are the “carriers” of Islam?• A: 1st Arabs, then Persians, then Turks

• Give two examples of differences between Hinduism and Islam which contributed to the lack of conversion within India.

• A: Hindus have countless gods; Hindus have many images and statues whereas this goes against Muslim tradition; Muslims believe in the equality of all believers.

• What opportunities did Sufi Islam offer women?

• A: Some Sufi orders had groups for women; some welcomed women as equal partners. Islamic education allowed some to become literate.

• Approximately how much of India became Muslim?• A: 20-25%

• How did Sikhism blend Islam and Hinduism?• A: one universal god with the ideas of karma and rebirth

• Why did the invasion of Anatolia lead to thorough Islamization, as opposed to India? (3 reasons)

• A: smaller population so it was easier to control; Turkic people move en mass to Anatolia; violent take over. Also, India was decentralized so they absorbed the shock better as opposed to the central gov in Byzantium. Cultural barrier less.

• How were Christians treated in Anatolia under the Turks?

• A: Monasteries destroyed; church property taken. They had to wear special clothing, pay taxes, forbidden to ride saddled horses or carry swords.

• How were women treated in Turkic Anatolia?• A: this territory was more gender-equal, dignified and

freer (Turkic culture which persisted)

• How did Islam arrive in west Africa?• A: it accompanied Muslim traders across the Sahara

(not through invasion)

• How is this process similar to Buddhism in SE Asia?• A: provides an important link to trading partners,

connects them to the wider world (gives legitmacy to monarchs)

• Effect on West African culture?• A: W. Africa becomes a major intellectual center

(Scholars, merchants and rulers bring Islam here) However, a major religious transformation did NOT take place. Traditional African religions continued.

• When was Spain conquered by the Muslims?• A: early 8th century (700s)• How did Islam affect Spain’s culture?• A: harmony between Christianity, Judaism and Islam;

from Spain Islamic culture became available to Christian Europe.

• What changed by the early 10th century?• Tolerance begins to fade. Warfare in northern Spain

picks up and more rigid forms of Islam entered Spain from North Africa. By 1200 the Christians reconquered Spain.