Chapter 6Chapter 6

The World of Islam (600-1500)The World of Islam (600-1500)

Section 1: The Rise of Section 1: The Rise of IslamIslam

The The ArabsArabs arose in the Arabian arose in the Arabian Peninsula of southwestern Asia in the Peninsula of southwestern Asia in the seventh century.seventh century.

The Arabian Peninsula is mostly The Arabian Peninsula is mostly desertdesert.. The Arabs were a The Arabs were a nomadicnomadic people. people. They organized into They organized into tribestribes ruled by a ruled by a

sheikhsheikh..

Section 1 (continued)Section 1 (continued)

They were farmers and sheepherders They were farmers and sheepherders who lived on the who lived on the oasesoases and in the rain- and in the rain-fed areas on the peninsula.fed areas on the peninsula.

The domestication of the The domestication of the camelcamel (in the (in the first millennium B.C.) enabled them to first millennium B.C.) enabled them to populate more of the desertpopulate more of the desert

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Most Arabs were Most Arabs were polytheisticpolytheistic (the belief of (the belief of many gods) & recognized Allah as a supreme many gods) & recognized Allah as a supreme god.god.

The Arabs trace their ancestors to The Arabs trace their ancestors to AbrahamAbraham and his son Ishmael, who were believed to and his son Ishmael, who were believed to have built a house of worship called the have built a house of worship called the KaabaKaaba at at MakkahMakkah (Mecca). (Mecca).

A holy stone, called the A holy stone, called the Black StoneBlack Stone, is the , is the cornerstone of the Kaaba.cornerstone of the Kaaba.

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The location of Makkah along a popular The location of Makkah along a popular trade routetrade route increased the region’s increased the region’s importance.importance.

Section 1 (continued)Section 1 (continued) MuhammadMuhammad was born into a merchant family, was born into a merchant family,

orphaned at five, grew up to become a caravan orphaned at five, grew up to become a caravan manager, and married a rich widow named manager, and married a rich widow named Khadija.Khadija.

He became troubles by the growing gap b/w He became troubles by the growing gap b/w generosity of most Makkans and the generosity of most Makkans and the greediness of the wealthy elite,greediness of the wealthy elite,

He began to visit the hills to meditate.He began to visit the hills to meditate. According to Muslim teachings, Muhammad is According to Muslim teachings, Muhammad is

believed to have received believed to have received revelationsrevelations from from God during meditation.God during meditation.

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Muhammad believed these revelations Muhammad believed these revelations were the were the culminationculmination of previous of previous messages brought by Moses and Jesus.messages brought by Moses and Jesus.

These revelations were written down in These revelations were written down in the the QuranQuran (the holy book of Islam). (the holy book of Islam).

Islam means “peace through Islam means “peace through submissionsubmission to the will of Allah.” to the will of Allah.”

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Followers of Islam are called Followers of Islam are called MuslimsMuslims.. Islam has one God, Islam has one God, AllahAllah, and , and

Muhammad is God’s prophet.Muhammad is God’s prophet. Muhammad preached in Makkah but was Muhammad preached in Makkah but was

disappointed by the response.disappointed by the response. He and his followers moved to He and his followers moved to MadinahMadinah

(Medina) in (Medina) in 622622 (the first year of the (the first year of the Islamic calendar). Islamic calendar).

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Muhammad began to win support from Muhammad began to win support from people in Madinah, as well as from Arabs people in Madinah, as well as from Arabs in the desert, known as in the desert, known as bedouinbedouin..

Muhammad became both a Muhammad became both a politicalpolitical and and religious leader.religious leader.

He put together a He put together a military forcemilitary force..

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In In 630630, he returned to Makkah; the city , he returned to Makkah; the city surrendered and most of the people surrendered and most of the people converted to Islam.converted to Islam.

The The KaabaKaaba was declared a holy place of was declared a holy place of Islam.Islam.

In 632, Muhammad died.In 632, Muhammad died.

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The The Five Pillars of IslamFive Pillars of Islam are: are: 1. believe in one God whose prophet is Muhammad 1. believe in one God whose prophet is Muhammad

(belief)(belief) 2. pray five times a day (prayer)2. pray five times a day (prayer) 3. give to the poor (charity)3. give to the poor (charity) 4. Refrain from food & drink from dawn to sunset 4. Refrain from food & drink from dawn to sunset

during Ramadan (ninth month of the calendar) during Ramadan (ninth month of the calendar) (fasting)(fasting)

5. make the pilgrimage (go to) to Makkah 5. make the pilgrimage (go to) to Makkah (pilgrimage)(pilgrimage)

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Muslim scholars developed a law code Muslim scholars developed a law code known as the known as the shari’ahshari’ah which applied the which applied the teachings of the Quran to daily life.teachings of the Quran to daily life.

It regulates all aspects of Muslim life.It regulates all aspects of Muslim life.

Section 2: The Arab Section 2: The Arab Empire and Its Empire and Its SuccessorsSuccessors

Shortly after Muhammad’s death, some Shortly after Muhammad’s death, some of his closest followers chose of his closest followers chose Abu BakrAbu Bakr (Muhammad’s father-in-law) to be their (Muhammad’s father-in-law) to be their leader.leader.

In 632 Abu Bakr was named caliph In 632 Abu Bakr was named caliph ((successorsuccessor) to Muhammad.) to Muhammad.

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Under his leadership, the Islamic world began Under his leadership, the Islamic world began to growto grow

He overcome military efforts by the early He overcome military efforts by the early Makkans to defeat his movementMakkans to defeat his movement

The Quran permitted The Quran permitted jihadjihad, or “struggle in the , or “struggle in the way of God”.way of God”.

The Muslims expanded their territory into parts The Muslims expanded their territory into parts of the Byzantine Empire, north Africa, and the of the Byzantine Empire, north Africa, and the Persian Empire.Persian Empire.

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When Abu Bakr died, he had no clear When Abu Bakr died, he had no clear successor.successor.

In 656, In 656, AliAli (Muhammad’s son-in-law) was (Muhammad’s son-in-law) was chosen to be caliph, but he was assassinated.chosen to be caliph, but he was assassinated.

Conquered Christians and Jews (called Conquered Christians and Jews (called “People of the Book”“People of the Book” by Muslims) were able by Muslims) were able to practice their religion but those who would to practice their religion but those who would not convert to Islam were required to pay a not convert to Islam were required to pay a special tax.special tax.

The UmayyadsThe Umayyads

In 661, Mu’awiyah became caliph.In 661, Mu’awiyah became caliph. He established the He established the Umayyad dynastyUmayyad dynasty by by

making the office of caliph, called the making the office of caliph, called the caliphatecaliphate, hereditary., hereditary.

He moved the capital from Madinah to He moved the capital from Madinah to DamascusDamascus in Syria. in Syria.

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The Arabs conquered the The Arabs conquered the Berbers, Berbers, rural rural people living in the Mediterranean coast people living in the Mediterranean coast of North Africa and crossed the Strait of of North Africa and crossed the Strait of Gibraltar to occupy Gibraltar to occupy SpainSpain..

In 732, Arab forces were defeated at the In 732, Arab forces were defeated at the Battle of ToursBattle of Tours in Gaul (France) thus in Gaul (France) thus halting Arab expansion into Europe.halting Arab expansion into Europe.

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In 680, a revolt in present-day Iraq led by In 680, a revolt in present-day Iraq led by HusseinHussein (2 (2ndnd son of Ali)-son in-law of son of Ali)-son in-law of Muhammad) failed.Muhammad) failed.

This struggle led to a split in Islam:This struggle led to a split in Islam: The The ShiaShia Muslims accepted only the Muslims accepted only the

descendants of Ali as the true rulers of Islam.descendants of Ali as the true rulers of Islam. The The SunniSunni Muslims accepted the Umayyads Muslims accepted the Umayyads

as rulers.as rulers.

The Abbasid DynastyThe Abbasid Dynasty

Abu al-Abbas (a descendant of Abu al-Abbas (a descendant of Muhammad’s uncle) overthrew the Muhammad’s uncle) overthrew the Umayyad dynasty in 750 and set up the Umayyad dynasty in 750 and set up the Abbasid dynastyAbbasid dynasty. .

The Abbasids built a new capital at The Abbasids built a new capital at BaghdadBaghdad (Iraq). (Iraq).

Eventually, rulers in the provinces began Eventually, rulers in the provinces began to establish their own dynasties.to establish their own dynasties.

Suljuk Turk and the Suljuk Turk and the CrusadesCrusades

In 1055, the In 1055, the Seljuk TurksSeljuk Turks from central from central Asia captured Baghdad and took Asia captured Baghdad and took command of the empire.command of the empire.

Their leader was known as the Their leader was known as the sultansultan (“holder of power”).(“holder of power”).

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In 1071, the Byzantines lost control of the In 1071, the Byzantines lost control of the Anatolian PeninsulaAnatolian Peninsula to the Turks. to the Turks.

The Byzantine emperor Alexius I asked The Byzantine emperor Alexius I asked the Christian countries of Europe for the Christian countries of Europe for help.help.

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A series of A series of CrusadesCrusades by European by European Christians against the Muslims began in Christians against the Muslims began in 1096.1096.

At first, the Christians won many battles.At first, the Christians won many battles. In 1187 ,however, In 1187 ,however, SaladinSaladin (a new (a new

Muslim ruler) invaded the kingdom of Muslim ruler) invaded the kingdom of Jerusalem and defeated the Christian Jerusalem and defeated the Christian forces there.forces there.

The MongolsThe Mongols

The The MongolsMongols swept out of the Gobi swept out of the Gobi desert region in the early 13desert region in the early 13thth century to century to control much of the known world.control much of the known world.

Beginning with leader Beginning with leader Genghis KhanGenghis Khan, , the Mongols conquered most of Asia the Mongols conquered most of Asia from China to the Red Sea.from China to the Red Sea.

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The Mongols destroyed Baghdad in The Mongols destroyed Baghdad in 1258.1258.

Schools, libraries, Schools, libraries, mosquesmosques (Muslim (Muslim houses of worship), and palaces were houses of worship), and palaces were burned to the ground.burned to the ground.

Eventually some Mongol rulers converted Eventually some Mongol rulers converted to Islam, and the Mongol empire split into to Islam, and the Mongol empire split into separate kingdoms.separate kingdoms.

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The new center of Islamic civilization The new center of Islamic civilization became became CairoCairo, in Egypt., in Egypt.

Section 3: Islamic Section 3: Islamic CivilizationCivilization

TradeTrade flourished in the Arab Empire. flourished in the Arab Empire. The The bazaarbazaar, or covered market, was an , or covered market, was an

important part of every Muslim city.important part of every Muslim city. Most people still lived in the country, Most people still lived in the country,

making their living by farming or herding making their living by farming or herding animals.animals.

Muslims were not slaves, Muslims were not slaves, slavesslaves were were taken from Africa and other parts of Asia.taken from Africa and other parts of Asia.

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A Muslim man could have up toA Muslim man could have up to four four wiveswives..

Muslim men were required to pay a Muslim men were required to pay a dowrydowry (a gift of money or property) for (a gift of money or property) for their brides.their brides.

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The practice of having women cover The practice of having women cover virtually all parts of their bodies when virtually all parts of their bodies when appearing in public is still followed today appearing in public is still followed today in some parts of the Muslim world.in some parts of the Muslim world.

Section 4: The Culture of Section 4: The Culture of IslamIslam

Works of Works of Greek philosophyGreek philosophy (including (including Plato and Aristotle) were translated into Plato and Aristotle) were translated into Arabic and housed in a library called the Arabic and housed in a library called the House of Wisdom in Baghdad.House of Wisdom in Baghdad.

Greek and Roman works that had been Greek and Roman works that had been translated into Arabic were in turn translated into Arabic were in turn translated into Latin in the 12translated into Latin in the 12thth century century making them available to the West.making them available to the West.

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Texts on Texts on mathematicsmathematics were brought to were brought to Baghdad from India.Baghdad from India.

The numerical system of India became The numerical system of India became known in Europe as the “known in Europe as the “Arabic Arabic systemsystem.”.”

The Arabs developed the system of The Arabs developed the system of algebraalgebra which is still used today. which is still used today.

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Transmission of such works was aided Transmission of such works was aided by the process of by the process of paper-makingpaper-making which which was introduced from China in the 700s.was introduced from China in the 700s.

The Arabs perfected the The Arabs perfected the astrolabe astrolabe which which helps sailors determine latitude.helps sailors determine latitude.

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Ibn SinaIbn Sina (Avicenna) wrote a medical (Avicenna) wrote a medical textbook that was translated into Latin textbook that was translated into Latin and used in Europe.and used in Europe.

Avicenna stressed the contagious nature Avicenna stressed the contagious nature of certain diseases.of certain diseases.

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The most famous work of Arab literature The most famous work of Arab literature is is The 1001 NightsThe 1001 Nights ( (The Arabian The Arabian NightsNights) which includes the story of ) which includes the story of Aladdin and the magic lamp.Aladdin and the magic lamp.

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The best expression of Islamic arts (a The best expression of Islamic arts (a blend of Arab, Turkish, and Persian blend of Arab, Turkish, and Persian traditions) is found in the Muslim traditions) is found in the Muslim mosquesmosques..

Mosques feature a Mosques feature a minaretminaret (tower) from (tower) from which a which a muezzinmuezzin (crier) calls the faithful (crier) calls the faithful to prayer five times a day.to prayer five times a day.

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The finest ex. of an Islamic palace is the The finest ex. of an Islamic palace is the AlhambraAlhambra in Granada, Spain; every inch in Granada, Spain; every inch of the castle’s surface is decorated in of the castle’s surface is decorated in floral and abstract patterns.floral and abstract patterns.

Islamic art consists of Arabic letter, Islamic art consists of Arabic letter, plants, and abstract figures; these plants, and abstract figures; these decorations are repeated in geometric decorations are repeated in geometric patterns called patterns called arabesquesarabesques..

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Muhammad had warned against any Muhammad had warned against any attempt to imitate God by creating attempt to imitate God by creating pictures of living beings.pictures of living beings.

As a result no such figures (including As a result no such figures (including Muhammad) appear in Islamic religious Muhammad) appear in Islamic religious art.art.