the rise of islam ms. jerome chapter 11. spread of islam from inception to present
TRANSCRIPT
The Rise of Islam Ms. Jerome Chapter 11
Spread of Islam from inception to present
The Birthplace of a New World ReligionIslam arose in the Arabian
peninsulaExtremely tribal—religious
melting potReflected the social and cultural
conditions of its homelandThe epicenter of post classical
long distance trade. Arabia—important link in trade
between China and India in the east and Persia nad Byzantium in the west
Muhammad and His MessageMuhammad born 570 –merchant
family in MeccaBy 30 Muhammad had established
himself as a merchantArabian Peninsula was diverse—
polytheism, Judaism etc.Age 40- spiritual transformation.
◦Experienced visions understood as revelations from Allah – archangel Gabriel
◦Believed in one true God
Quran Muslims compiled the versions of
Muhammad’s revelations in the Quran “recitation”
It is the authority of Muslim religious doctrine
Allah the same omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent and exclusive deity as the Jews’ Yahweh and Christians’ God
Muhammad’s Migration to MedinaConflict with ruling elite in MeccaAllah as only divine power challenged
the common polytheismMuhammad also denounced greed as
a moral wickedness and idolatry622 under mounting pressure,
Muhammad fled to Yathrib later called Medina “the city of the prophet”
Hirja- the migration to Medina is the starting point on Islamic calendar
Islam in Arabia629 Muhammad wished to return to
MeccaIn 630 with followers attacked mecca
and conquered the cityImposed a government dedicated to
AllahDestroyed pagan shrines-replaced with
mosquesThrough multiple campaigns, by 632
(Muhammad’s death) most of Arabia under Islamic control
5 Pillars 1. Allah the only god and Muhammad
as prophet2. Pray to Allah daily facing Mecca3. Observe a fast during the daylight
hours during Ramadan4. Contribution of alms for the weak
and poor5. To honor Muhammad’s visit to
Mecca in 629, must undertake the hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca
Jihad “struggle”Spiritual and moral obligation on
Muslims-to conquer vice and evil Muslims to struggle against
ignorance and unbelief by spreading the word of Islam and seeking conversions
The obligation to take the sword and wage war against unbelievers who threaten Islam
Sharia Islamic Holy LawEmerged after MuhammadDetailed guidance on proper
behavior in almost every aspect of life
From marriage and family life to slavery, inheritance, business and commercial relationship
Islam—not just a religion, a way of life
Expansion of IslamNO provision for a successorAdvisors selected Abu Bakr –Muhammad’s
father in law— “caliph” (deputy) Sunni.Many people wanted Ali—Muhammad’s son
in law to be leader. ShiaA Lieutenant of Muhammad, not a prophet
himselfAbu Bakr became head of state for the
Islamic community and umma (community of the faithful)
Went on the offensive and claimed much of the region to accept Islam
Abu Bakr (Sunni) Ali (Shia)
Divided Islam Struggle to name successors intensified Sunni and Shia Sects emergedSunni Muslims: caliphs were rightful
political and military leaders, chosen by the Islamic community (Abu Bakr a rightly guided Caliph)
Shia Muslims: leaders should be blood relatives of Muhammad, descended from Ali and his son Husayn (cousin and son in law of Muhammad)
Ali served as Caliph from 656-661; assassinated along with much of his family line
Expanding Islam Between 633-637, Muslim forces
seized Byzantine Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia, North Africa
In 711 conquered northern IndiaBetween 711 and 718 crossed
Strait of Gibraltar and conquered Iberian peninsula.
Umayyad DynastyPost assassination of Ali from
661-750Sunni sectTemporarily solved problem of
successionUmayyads ranked among most
prominent of the Meccan merchant clans
Moved capital to Damascus in Syria—central location
Believed in Arab military aristocracy
Umayyad Dynasty
Policy Toward Conquered People
Conquered Jews, Christians, Persians, Indians, Greeks, Mesopotamians etc.
Allowed them to view own religious practices
Imposed a jizya—tax on non Muslims
Umayyads favored the Arab elites—caused resentment
Decline of UmayyadCaliphs became alienated form
other Arabs Too devoted to luxurious living
than leadership of the ummaFierce resistance of Shia and
conquered peoples
Abbasid DynastyFounder: Abu al-AbbasLeader of Persian rebellion vs.
Umayyyad DynastyDescendent of Muhammad’s uncleHe was Sunni he allied with Shias
and with non Arab MuslimsSeized control of Persia and
Mesopotamia –shattered Umayyad forces in huge battle
Founded Abbasid Dynasty
Abbasid DynastyNo special favor to ArabsPersians, Egyptians, Mesopotamians and
others rose in wealth and powerAdopted Persian governmental practices
—introduced governors to ruleNot a conquering dynastyDid not expand through conquestDar al Islam (the community of Islam)
expanded but not by the Abbasid dynasty
Merchants, others expanded it
BaghdadCentral authority (capital Iraq)Became center of banking,
commerce, crafts, industry, population
Abbasid Decline Civil War damaged Abbasid
authorityDisputes over succession became
problemProvincial governors took
advantage of disorder Abbasids became figureheads The dynasty would be
extinguished at the hands of the Mongols in 1258