Muslim Civilization Section 2
The death of Muhammad in 632 presented a challenge for the Muslim community. Who would lead the group and keep it unified? The answer affected the faith’s spread and its future.
• Muhammad had not named successor
• No clear candidate
• Abu Bakr, close companion, early convert, chosen leader, called caliph, “successor”
Muhammad’s Successors
• Abu Bakr focused on bringing back bedouin tribes
• Built strong Arab fighting forces to keep tribes under control
• Reunified Arabia, led forces north
Priorities
• Abu Bakr, successor Umar, expanded Muslim rule rapidly
• 637 early victory against Persian forces in Iraq
• 642 victory over Persian Empire complete
Expansion of Territory
Islam after Muhammad’s Death
Muslim Civilization Section 2
More Expansion
• After Iraq, Persia, Arab army faced wealthy Byzantine Empire to west
• Byantines first lost Damascus, Syria, Jerusalem
• 639, Byzantine province of Egypt fell; 642, rest of Nile Valley under Arab rule
Internal Conflict and Division
• Deep conflict within Muslim leadership, began with choice of Abu Bakr, caliph
• Some had supported Muhammad’s cousin, Ali
• 644, Ali lost again, to Uthman, supported by powerful Mecca clan Umayyad
Empire
• Only 10 years after Muhammad’s death, followers had created empire
• Conquests continued under later caliphs
• 661, caliphate stretched from northern Africa in west to Persia in East
More Expansion
Muslim Civilization Section 2
• Most Muslims accepted Umayyad caliph
• Called Sunnis, “followers of the Sunna,” or “way of the Prophet”
• Ali’s supporters refused to go along with Umayyads.
• Became known as the Shiites, “party of Ali”
Sunnis and Shias
• Umayyads had been Muhammad’s enemies, converted reluctantly, were unpopular
• Uthman killed by rebels
• Ali became caliph, but troubles had just begun
• Civil war broke out between Ali’s forces, Umayyad; Ali killed, Umayyad retook control
Ali’s Troubles
Civil War
Muslim Civilization Section 2
The Shiites and Imams
Shia believed God had specially blessed Ali’s descendants
• Ali’s descendants, Muhammad’s true heirs
• Shia called each of Ali’s successors imam
– Imam means “leader”
– For the Shiites, only imams can interpret the Qur’an.
Muslim Civilization Section 2
Further Division
• Husayn killed while holding infant son, battle became known as the martyrdom of Husayn; split between Sunni, Shiites have remained bitter
• Third group developed within Islam—the Sufis
• Sufis seek mystical, personal connection with God, using range of practices including breath control and meditation in rituals
Conflict
• Conflict deepened between Sunni, Shiites after deaths of Mu’awiya and Ali
• Many thought Yazid, Mu’awiya’s son, successor, not a good Muslim
• Muhammad’s grandson, Husayn, led rebellion against Yazid
• Husayn, forces defeated in battle at Karbala, Iraq
Muslim Civilization Section 2
Muslim Civilization Section 2
Find the Main Idea
What was the result of the succession conflict?
Answer(s): Two different Muslim groups emerged—the Sunni and the Shiites
Muslim Civilization Section 2
Under the Umayyad caliphs, Muslim rule spread. Internal problems weakened the Umayyads, though, and led to their fall.
• Umayyads strengthened rule after death of Husayn
• Achievements:
– Established Arabic as official language
– Made coinage uniform throughout empire
– Began first great work of Islamic architecture, Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem
Continued Expansion• Armies conquered territory to
borders of China, Indus River Valley, to east
• Took northern Africa, most of Spain, to west
• Conquests spread Muslim faith, while allowing religious freedom for People of the Book; some restrictions, taxes for Non-Muslims however
Military Conquests
The Umayyad Dynasty
Muslim Civilization Section 2
• Umayyads strengthened central government as caliphate grew in size
• Arab Muslims became ruling class, with power, privilege unavailable to those they conquered
• Creation of privileged class conflicted with strong Muslim ideal of equality
• Wars over succession also upsetting to many faithful, unhappy with emphasis on political ambition
• Displeasure with Umayyads widespread
• Shiites continued opposition
• Also unrest among conquered people, some Arab tribes
• Umayyads weakened by discontent, time ripe for rebellion
End of the Umayyads• Abbasids, led by descendant of
Muhammad’s uncle, united many Umayyad opponents by appearing to support their causes
• Abbasids wiped out Umayyads in series of battles, late 740s
• Caliphate entered Abbasid dynasty
Rebellion
Ruling the Empire
Muslim Civilization Section 2
Sequence
What events brought about the end of the Umayyad dynasty?
Answer(s): A family called the Abbasids took advantage of discontent with the Umayyads and established a new caliphate.
Muslim Civilization Section 2
Baghdad
• Abbasids relocated capital of caliphate; rulers lived in splendor
• Chose Baghdad, on Tigris River, in present-day Iraq
Government
• Rulers cut off from people
• Caliph hidden behind screen in throne room, could not be seen
• Used Persian officials; vizier, deputy, oversaw affairs of state
Persian Influence
• Move to Baghdad beginning of end of Arab domination of Muslim world
• Abbasids adopted Persian style of government
Change in Islam
• Nature of Islam changed
• Abbasids invited all to join in, turned Islam into universal religion, attracted people of many cultures
The Abbasid Dynasty
Muslim Civilization Section 2
• Trade helped fund cultural achievement
• Most prominent Abbasid caliph, Harun al-Rashid, helped bring culture to great heights, 786 to 809
• Support of scholarship helped produce lasting achievements of Islamic arts, sciences
Funding for Change
• Islam spread through trade
• Muslim traders journeyed from end to end of caliphate, exchanging goods and information
• Exchange brought Islam to West Africa, Southeast Asia
Importance of Trade
A Changing Culture
Muslim Civilization Section 2
Contrast
How did the Abbasids differ from the Umayyads?
Answer(s): The Abbasids focused more on prosperity and cultural advancement than on empire expansion.
Muslim Civilization Section 2
As early as the 800s, Abbasid political power weakened. By the 900s, a number of small, independent states broke away from the caliphate.
• European Christians weakened Muslim rule
• Christian armies began to drive Muslims out of Spain, 1000s
• European Christians began Crusades
– Wanted to make Holy Land Christian, won at first
– Muslims eventually retook Jerusalem
Challenges from Europe• 969, serious threat, Fatimid
dynasty established in Egypt
• Claimed descent from Muhammad’s daughter Fatimah
• From Egypt, controlled Mediterranean, Red Sea
• Disrupted Abbasid trade
• Fatamids soon richer, more powerful than Abbasids
Problems from Egypt
The End of Unity
Muslim Civilization Section 2
Seljuk Turks
• Many non-Arabs among peoples of caliphate, including Turks
• 1055, Turkish Seljuks rose to power, took control of Baghdad
• Seljuks were Sunni Muslims, supported Abbasid caliph
Mamluks and Mongols
• 1200s, Mamluks took power in Egypt, Syria
• 1258, Mongols destroyed Baghdad, killed Abbasid caliph; caliphate finished
• Islam still a vital force, spread to India, Central and Southeast Asia
War Against Byzantine Empire
• Seljuks defended Abbasids against Fatimids, went to war against Byzantine Empire, defeated Byzantines at Battle of Manzikert
• Seljuks would go on to create own empire
Seljuk Turks and Others
Muslim Civilization Section 2
Muslim Civilization Section 2
Summarize
What forces ended the unity of the caliphate?
Answer(s): Abbasids lost political power when small independent states broke away.