THE WORLD OF ISLAMWorld History

Mr. Kerensky

The Rise of Islam

The Arabs Semitic-speaking people Sheikh- leader of an Arab tribe; they were

chosen from one of the leading families by a council of elders.

Although each tribe was independent, all the tribes in the region were loosely connected.

Farmers and sheep herders; polytheistic Prospered by becoming expert traders

The Prophet Muhammad

Born into a merchant family; married a rich widow.

Troubled over the greediness of the rich trading elites in the city

Visited by the angel Gabriel and given a message from God and told to retell it

He believed that God (Allah) had already revealed himself through the Hebrew and Christian traditions, and Allah’s final revelations were being given to him

The Quran

The holy book of the religion of Islam Derived from the revelations passed

through Muhammad Contains ethical guidelines and laws by

which the followers of Allah are to live. Islam literally means “peace through

submission to the will of Allah” Those who practice Islam are called

Muslims

Hijrah and the Hajj

Hijrah-The journey of Muhammad and his followers from Makkah to Madinah (Medina) The journey (622 A.D.) marked year 1 in the

traditional Muslim calendar Muhammad later returned to Makkah

triumphantly but died only two years later Hajj- the pilgrimage to Makkah in honor

of Muhammad’s triumphant return; all Muslims are encouraged to make it.

The Teaching of Muhammad

Monotheistic; Allah is the all-powerful being who created the universe and everything in it

Emphasizes salvation and offers hope of afterlife

Must subject themselves to the will of Allah

Muhammad was not divine Shari’ah- the code of laws of Islam;

provides believers with a set of practical laws to regulate their daily lives; based on scholars interpretations of the Quran and the example set by Muhammad

The Arab Empire and Its Successors Muhammad had been accepted as the

spiritual and political leader of the Islamic community

Muhammad dies without a male heir (he had seven daughters).

Muhammad’s father-in-law, Abu Bakr, was named the first caliph Successor to Muhammad; secular and

spiritual leader of the Islamic community; as the empire grew, they became more like kings or emperors.

Arab Conquest

Muslims began expanding over Arabia and beyond

Jihad- fair, defensive warfare permitted in the Quran; “struggle in the way of God.”

The Battle of Yarmuk (636 AD) Arab army defeated the Byzantine army Four years later the Arabs took control of

Syria 642 AD, Egypt and Northern Africa were

added to the Arab Empire. 650 AD, conquered the entire Persian

Empire

Arab Rule

Arab soldiers were told that they would be promised a spot in paradise if they died in battle

Caliphs ruled from Madinah. After Abu Bakr died, there were problems again

with who would rule. The next three Caliphs would be assassinated Ruling Over Conquered Territories

Arabs were tolerant, sometimes allowing local officials to continue to rule

They were not forced to convert to Islam

The Umayyads

General Mu’awiya became caliph in 661 AD Established the Umayyad Dynasty

Made the caliphate, or the office of the caliph, hereditary to his own lineage.

Expansion under the Umayyads 710 AD- conquered southern Spain 725 AD- most of Spain was conquered

The Battle of Tours (732 AD) Arab forces were defeated in Gaul (modern day

France) Arab expansion had come to an end.

A Split in Islam

non-Arab Muslims vs Arab Muslims non-Arab Muslims did not like the way local

administrators favored the Arabs A revolt against the Umayyans in modern day Iraq,

led by Hussein, the son-in-law of Muhammad (680 AD) Unsuccessful

Shiite- Muslims who only accept the descendants of Ali as the true rulers of Islam; Minority (except in Iraq)

Sunni- Muslims who accept the Umayyans as rulers; the Majority in the Muslim world.