The World of Islam

The World of IslamChapter 91Origins of IslamArabiaRole of nomadic BedouinsLocation along important trade routesRise of MeccaBetween Sassanid and Byzantine Empires

2Life of Muhammad (570 CE to 632 CE)Revelations began in 610 and continued for 22 yearsQuran (Koran)Traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and ArabsPillars of Islam

3Early Days of IslamSpread mainly through military conquest and trade and missionary activityUniversal messageTolerance for other beliefsEconomic incentiveLegitimized role of merchants4A Universal ReligionAllah all-powerful, good, just and mercifulAdvocated social justiceSpiritual equality for allExpressed concern for the poorThe understanding of jihad (greater and lesser)

5Umayyad CaliphateUmayyad Caliphate (661-750)Hereditary monarchyCentered in Damascus, spread to Syria, Egypt, Persia, Byzantine SW Asia, N Africa, SpainCulturally tolerant as long as obeyed rules, paid taxes, didnt revoltArabic common language

6Umayyad Caliphate

7Abbasid CaliphateAbbasid Caliphate (750-1258)Centered in Baghdad, 2nd largest city in worldHouse of Wisdom 830Sought Greek and Persian texts and translated into ArabicTurks capture Baghdad in 1055, then Mongols in 1258DeclineSlaves (Mamluks) served in army and weaken Abbasid ruleToo large to rule

8Women in Islamic SocietiesInferior and subordinateMen could have up to 4 wivesmen have authority over womenVeiling and seclusion becomes commonplaceSeparation of the sexeshonor killingImproving the life of womenForbids female infanticideControl over own propertyRights of inheritance (half that of men though)Increased opportunitiesSufismFemale mullahs in ShiaLiteracy and education

9Islamic SectsMuslim v. Muslim 656 CEShia: leadership of Islamic world should be relatives of MuhammadSunni: caliphs should be selected Sufism 9th-10th centuries (p. 425)New understanding of Islamic faith that renounced material world, meditated, and used music and dance to seek a direct and personal experience with the DivineChallenged establishment teachings and religious authority of the ulama creating discord which orthodox believed was heresy

10India and IslamAfghan Turks Raids into India, looting cities and destroying Hindu templesDelhi Sultanate (1206-1526)Series of Islamic ruling dynastiesAbsorbed into Mughal Empire in 1526Disillusioned Buddhists and lower-caste HindusAppeal of Sufi mysticsSikhism

11Anatolia and IslamSeljuk Turks challenge Byzantine ruleOttoman Empire weakened Byzantine institutions until conquered Constantinople in 1453Renamed it IstanbulConvert Hagia Sophia into mosque

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13West Africa and IslamWest Africa kings still divine and women still prominent Muslim merchants and scholarsUrban centersLittle penetration into rural areas and popular cultureMansa Musa

14Djenne mosque in TimbuktuSun-baked earth bricks and sand and earth based mortar, coated with a plasterDecorate with bundles of sticks to serve as scaffolding

15Spain and IslamArab and Berber invasion early 8th c.Cordobas golden ageIncreased intolerance in 10th-11th centuriesChristian reconquest and expulsionFerdinand and Isabella 1492Importance of Muslim impact on Islamic learning in Christian Europe

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17Impact of the Spread of IslamPolitical ImpactRise of West African Kingdoms and East African city-statesEconomic ImpactVast trading networkMerchants and urban elitesAchievementsTechnological exchangeIslamic Green RevolutionMathematics and Medicine

18Cultural ImpactImages forbidden so large use of geometric shapes and calligraphy in art and architectureLiteratureThe Arabian Nights (Sinbad, Aladdin), Travels by Ibn BattutaEducationUniversities set up in Cordoba, Toledo and GranadaHouse of WisdomDar-al-IslamExamples of syncretismRole of women in West Africa and AnatoliaSikhism blending Islam and HinduismWest African kings stayed divineSpanish Christians veiled women, didnt eat pork

19Umayad Dynasty 424First dynasty of Islamic Empire (661-750) that led through Arab military aristocracy and had their capital in Damascus, SyriaNon-Arab Muslim treatment, and luxurious and impious lifestyle led to their decline20Sikhism 430New religious tradition that developed in 16th c. IndiaBlended elements of Islam and Hinduism, such as the idea of one God with karma and rebirth21