The Rise and The Rise and Spread of IslamSpread of Islam

Pre-Islamic SocietyPre-Islamic Society

Bedouin – Arab nomadic people Bedouin – Arab nomadic people – organized by clan and tribe – – organized by clan and tribe – Desert dwelling across North Desert dwelling across North Africa and the Arabian peninsula Africa and the Arabian peninsula - "I and my brothers against my - "I and my brothers against my cousins, I and my brothers and cousins, I and my brothers and my cousins against the world." my cousins against the world."

Clan IdentityClan Identity Shaykhs – leaders of tribes or Shaykhs – leaders of tribes or

clansclans QURAYSH – dominant tribe of QURAYSH – dominant tribe of

the trade city of Meccathe trade city of Mecca Umayyad clan – part of the Umayyad clan – part of the

Quraysh tribe – they founded Quraysh tribe – they founded Mecca itselfMecca itself

After the Death of MuhammadAfter the Death of Muhammad

Muhammad’s claim to be a prophet and his attacks on Muhammad’s claim to be a prophet and his attacks on the polytheism of Mecca and the Ka’ba – led the the polytheism of Mecca and the Ka’ba – led the Umayyad leaders of Mecca to move against him.Umayyad leaders of Mecca to move against him.

Muhammad’s defeat of the Umayyads brought the Muhammad’s defeat of the Umayyads brought the Umayyad under his control as they converted to Islam.Umayyad under his control as they converted to Islam.

The Umayyad and other prominent clans became the The Umayyad and other prominent clans became the warrior elite of the early Islamic movement. Many warrior elite of the early Islamic movement. Many sought to conquer rather to convert – initially.sought to conquer rather to convert – initially.

Succession – Muhammad did not name a successor to Succession – Muhammad did not name a successor to his religious and political empire when he died in 632 his religious and political empire when he died in 632 C.E.C.E.

Abu BakrAbu Bakr

After the death of After the death of Muhammad, some conquered Muhammad, some conquered people and new converts people and new converts began to leave Islam. The began to leave Islam. The clans met after the death to clans met after the death to choose a new religious and choose a new religious and political leader –Caliphpolitical leader –Caliph

Muhammad’s son-in-law ALI Muhammad’s son-in-law ALI was deemed too young by was deemed too young by many and Muhammad’s many and Muhammad’s friend ABU BAKR was friend ABU BAKR was chosen the first caliph.chosen the first caliph.

Ridda Wars – Muslim Ridda Wars – Muslim commanders fought the Arab commanders fought the Arab tribes who had left Islam and tribes who had left Islam and forced their return to the foldforced their return to the fold

Arab Conquests – Arab or Islamic?Arab Conquests – Arab or Islamic?

The early unification of the Arabs seemed to The early unification of the Arabs seemed to have little to do with religious conversion and have little to do with religious conversion and more to do with political conquest.more to do with political conquest.

The Muslim warriors split the booty taken The Muslim warriors split the booty taken during conquest.during conquest.

Money was also earned by taxing Christians, Money was also earned by taxing Christians, Jews, and other non-Muslims.Jews, and other non-Muslims.

Many Bedouins joined the Muslims because of Many Bedouins joined the Muslims because of the centuries of perceived oppression by their the centuries of perceived oppression by their non-Arab conquerors – Byzantines and non-Arab conquerors – Byzantines and PersiansPersians

Byzantium Byzantium

Persian (Sassanid) EmpirePersian (Sassanid) Empire

Muslim interaction with Judaism and Muslim interaction with Judaism and ChristianityChristianity

Islamic attacks on the Byzantine Islamic attacks on the Byzantine Empire were hindered by the Empire were hindered by the religious fervor of many of the religious fervor of many of the Orthodox Christians in the Orthodox Christians in the empire. There were Christians, empire. There were Christians, however, who sought liberation however, who sought liberation by the Muslimsby the Muslims

The Copts of Egypt had been The Copts of Egypt had been persecuted by their Orthodox persecuted by their Orthodox rulers after the Egyptian church rulers after the Egyptian church differed with Constantinople over differed with Constantinople over dogmadogma

The Nestorians of Syria were The Nestorians of Syria were also attacked by the Orthodox also attacked by the Orthodox Christians – as the Nestorians Christians – as the Nestorians believed the human and divine believed the human and divine elements of Jesus were separate elements of Jesus were separate beings.beings.

Origins of Sunni vs. Shi’aOrigins of Sunni vs. Shi’a

656 C.E. murder of 3656 C.E. murder of 3rdrd caliph – caliph – UTHMAN – had been first Umayyad UTHMAN – had been first Umayyad caliph. Murdered by rebels who caliph. Murdered by rebels who questioned his division of conquests, questioned his division of conquests, personal hatreds, and old clan personal hatreds, and old clan rivalries.rivalries.

ALI claimed the right to be caliph – ALI claimed the right to be caliph – but angered the Umayyads by not but angered the Umayyads by not punishing the assassins as the punishing the assassins as the Umayyads thought he should.Umayyads thought he should.

Battle of the Camel 656 C.E. – Ali Battle of the Camel 656 C.E. – Ali battles the Umayyads and his battles the Umayyads and his victories led many Arab fortresses to victories led many Arab fortresses to ally with Alially with Ali

Battle of Siffin 657 C.E. – Ali almost Battle of Siffin 657 C.E. – Ali almost defeated the Umayyads when he was defeated the Umayyads when he was persuaded to adopt mediation.persuaded to adopt mediation.

Ali’s adoption of mediation angered Ali’s adoption of mediation angered many of his supporters – weakening many of his supporters – weakening his forceshis forces

The Umayyads were given time to The Umayyads were given time to regroup and strengthenregroup and strengthen

660 MU’AWIYA – new leader of 660 MU’AWIYA – new leader of Umayyads - proclaimed caliph in Umayyads - proclaimed caliph in JerusalemJerusalem

661 Ali assassinated661 Ali assassinated HASAN – heir of Ali - pressured by HASAN – heir of Ali - pressured by

Umayyads to renounce his claim to Umayyads to renounce his claim to the caliphatethe caliphate

Who is the true Muslim?Who is the true Muslim?

Sunnis – backed the Sunnis – backed the UmayyadsUmayyads

Shi’a – supporters of AliShi’a – supporters of Ali HUSAYN second son of HUSAYN second son of

Ali – continued the fight Ali – continued the fight against the Umayyad – against the Umayyad – abandoned by clans in abandoned by clans in Iraq that had promised Iraq that had promised support – Husayn was support – Husayn was killed at Karbala 680 killed at Karbala 680 C.E.C.E.

Umayyad ImperiumUmayyad Imperium

Massive growth of Arab conquest after the initial Sunni Massive growth of Arab conquest after the initial Sunni Shi’a wars slowed.Shi’a wars slowed.

The Umayyads took all of North Africa and crosses the The Umayyads took all of North Africa and crosses the Strait of Gibraltar and moved into SpainStrait of Gibraltar and moved into Spain

732 Battle of Tours – the MOORS moved into France 732 Battle of Tours – the MOORS moved into France and challenged the power of the Catholic Church – and challenged the power of the Catholic Church – they were stopped by CHARLES MARTEL at the Battle they were stopped by CHARLES MARTEL at the Battle of Toursof Tours

Political shift to DAMASCUS – the Umayyads moved Political shift to DAMASCUS – the Umayyads moved their political capital to Syria after the death of Uthman.their political capital to Syria after the death of Uthman.

Height of the Umayyad CaliphateHeight of the Umayyad Caliphate

Battle of Tours “romantic” viewBattle of Tours “romantic” view

People of the BookPeople of the Book

MAWALI – Muslim converts – in MAWALI – Muslim converts – in the early days still had to pay the the early days still had to pay the non-Muslim taxes – were kept non-Muslim taxes – were kept from positions of power in the from positions of power in the Islamic political, social, or military Islamic political, social, or military hierarchy.hierarchy.

JIZYA – head tax paid by non-JIZYA – head tax paid by non-believersbelievers

DHIMMI – “people of the book” – DHIMMI – “people of the book” – a large portion of the population a large portion of the population under Islamic controlunder Islamic control

In most of the areas controlled by In most of the areas controlled by Muslims, the dhimmi and their Muslims, the dhimmi and their communities were left largely communities were left largely intact – they were allowed to intact – they were allowed to maintain their identity in society maintain their identity in society and legal systems.and legal systems.

Umayyad DeclineUmayyad Decline

The Umayyad caliphs grew in power BUT they also became The Umayyad caliphs grew in power BUT they also became addicted to luxury and extravagant living – palaces, gardens, addicted to luxury and extravagant living – palaces, gardens, harems, etc. A division grew between the Umayyad and the harems, etc. A division grew between the Umayyad and the Muslim faithful. Their failure to live as Muhammad and Abu Bakr Muslim faithful. Their failure to live as Muhammad and Abu Bakr lived gave impetus to many dissident groups to revolt.lived gave impetus to many dissident groups to revolt.

In eastern Iran 50,000 warriors had settled and married local In eastern Iran 50,000 warriors had settled and married local women. Over time they began to develop a distinct identity women. Over time they began to develop a distinct identity separate from the Umayyads. They also disputed their share of separate from the Umayyads. They also disputed their share of the profits of the caliphate and were angered by the lifestyle of the the profits of the caliphate and were angered by the lifestyle of the caliphs in Damascus.caliphs in Damascus.

MERV – in the 740s C.E., the Umayyad caliphs sought to MERV – in the 740s C.E., the Umayyad caliphs sought to reestablish control of eastern Iran by introducing new troops in the reestablish control of eastern Iran by introducing new troops in the area around the city of Merv – this led to rebellionarea around the city of Merv – this led to rebellion

ABBASID – marching under the banner of the ABBASID – named ABBASID – marching under the banner of the ABBASID – named after Muhammad's uncle al-Abbas, the frontier warriors led a after Muhammad's uncle al-Abbas, the frontier warriors led a revolt against the Umayyads.revolt against the Umayyads.

Led by Abu Al-Abbas – the great-great grandson of Muhammad’s Led by Abu Al-Abbas – the great-great grandson of Muhammad’s uncle took control of the Abbasids – who led victories over the uncle took control of the Abbasids – who led victories over the Umayyad. The Abbasids were allied with the Shi’a – the mawali Umayyad. The Abbasids were allied with the Shi’a – the mawali also allied with the Abbasid because the mawali never felt part of also allied with the Abbasid because the mawali never felt part of the Umayyad empire.the Umayyad empire.

Battle on the River Zab 750 C.E. – near the Tigris River – the Battle on the River Zab 750 C.E. – near the Tigris River – the Umayyad caliph was defeated – allowing the Abbasids to conquer Umayyad caliph was defeated – allowing the Abbasids to conquer Syria and Damascus. Abu al-Abbas invited the leaders of the Syria and Damascus. Abu al-Abbas invited the leaders of the Umayyad to a “bury the hatchet” dinner. During the dinner – the Umayyad to a “bury the hatchet” dinner. During the dinner – the Umayyad were slaughtered.Umayyad were slaughtered.

Caliphate of Cordoba – last Umayyad stronghold – the grandson Caliphate of Cordoba – last Umayyad stronghold – the grandson of the caliph defeated at the Battle of the River Zab fled to Spain of the caliph defeated at the Battle of the River Zab fled to Spain where he established the Caliphate of Cordobawhere he established the Caliphate of Cordoba

Abbasid – move from Arabic to Islamic Abbasid – move from Arabic to Islamic ConquestsConquests

With the Umayyad defeat, the Abbasids With the Umayyad defeat, the Abbasids rejected their Shi’a and mawali alliesrejected their Shi’a and mawali allies

A new capital was established at Baghdad with A new capital was established at Baghdad with a centralized absolutist rule. a centralized absolutist rule.

Opulence of Abbasid caliphateOpulence of Abbasid caliphate Bureaucracy allowed the Abbasid caliphate to Bureaucracy allowed the Abbasid caliphate to

have strong control over its empire.have strong control over its empire. Wazir – chief administrator – led the growth of Wazir – chief administrator – led the growth of

infrastructure, trade, taxes, and powerinfrastructure, trade, taxes, and power

Economic ExpansionEconomic Expansion

Dhows – Arab sailing Dhows – Arab sailing vessels dotted the vessels dotted the Mediterranean and Mediterranean and Arabian Seas – Arabian Seas – economic prosperity economic prosperity and cultural diffusionand cultural diffusion

Ayan – large land Ayan – large land owners – using owners – using sharecroppers or sharecroppers or migrant labormigrant labor