Unit 7 – The Islamic World

Lesson #2: Spread of Islam

Warm Up!!! For today’s warm up, please answer the

following questions in complete sentences:› What are the ‘rules’ of Islam called?

› Identify all of the ‘rules’ of Islam. Please provide a one sentence description of each ‘rule’.

› In what geographic region of the world did Islam originate?

Early Teachings› Muhammad began preaching Islam in Mecca,

but was met with resistance Local leaders believed Muhammad to be a threat

to their power and prosperity Feared Mecca would lose its role as a pilgrimage

location

› As a result of persecution, Muhammad decided to flee Mecca Hejira: Migration of

Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina (“city of the Prophet”) in 622

Became a political, religious, and military leader who united most of the Arabian peninsula under Islamo Islamic ideas spread through

trade routes between Medina and Mecca

oMuhammad returned to Mecca and the people converted to Islam

› Muhammad died in 632 after returning to Mecca

Rise of the Caliphs—Muhammad failed to name a successor, so

the Muslim community elected leaders, known as caliphs (spiritual leaders of Islam)• The area controlled by the caliph was known as the caliphate

—Four followers of Muhammad (“Rightly Guided Caliphate”) served as caliphs following Muhammad’s death: Abu-Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali• Used the Qur’an and teachings of Muhammad to teach and spread Islam• Continued to expand the influence of Islam by

using strong military force• Spread into the Fertile Crescent, Iran, and Central Asia as the Byzantine and Persian empires became weaker creating an Islamic Empire

Rise of the Caliphs (cont.)› Ali was

assassinated in 661 over a struggle for power Lack of

stability-three of the first four caliphs were assassinated

Major Caliphates› The Islamic Empire was controlled by ruling

families (caliphates)› After the death of Muhammad, Muslim

leaders encouraged jihad (“holy war”) to spread the faith-spread through most of Egypt and North Africa, Spain, and into France.

› Umayyad Caliphate Established a hereditary system to chose future

caliphs Moved the capital from Medina to Damascus

(modern-day Syria)oEasier to rule the vast empire, but many felt it

was too far from holy land Abandoned traditional life of caliphs and lived a

life of luxury

› Islam Splits The question over leadership and actions of the Umayyad

led to a split into two groups:o Sunnis: “People of Tradition and Community”

Believed that the first four caliphs were chosen correctlyMajority of Muslims today

o Shi’a (Shi’ites): “Party of Ali”Believed Ali and his heirs were the rightful successors to

MuhammadBelieved all caliphs should be direct descendents of

Muhammad

o The most serious threat to the empire was the split between Sunnis and Shi’ites over control of the Islamic world

This split between Sunnis and Shi’a has been a source of conflict in the Muslim world since the death of Ali.

› Abbasid Caliphate The Umayyads were overthrown in 750 by the Abbasids

(established the Abbasid Caliphate) oAdvanced Islam as far as Tours in Northern France

Islamic army defeated by Charles Martel’s Frankish army in 732 at the Battle of Tours

Abbasid Caliphate, Cont’d Moved the capital from Damascus to Baghdad (modern-day Iraq) - more central to trade in the region

Ruled over the Islamic Golden Age-prosperous era when many significant Islamic contributions were made

› Fatimid Dynasty Rival dynasty that controlled North Africa and the

southern part of the Arabian Peninsula Despite rivalry, Muslims worked together to control

trade in the numerous ports along the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean

The Islamic Empire was a powerful and influential empire until 1258 when Baghdad was conquered by the Mongols.