The Spread of Islam

The Muslims conquer the Sassanid and Byzantine Empires

Sassanid Empire

Byzantine Empire

Why were Muslims able to advance?

1. The Sassanid and Byzantine empires had been fighting for 200 years and were tired

2. These empires had taxed the people heavily3. There were people living together that had

little in common

The Spread of Islam

• http://www.mapsofwar.com/ind/history-of-religion.html

Converting new Muslims

• At first the Muslims were content to let others practice their own religion because they paid a tax to do so

• This created a lot of money for the Muslims

2 things happened to change their mind

1. The Crusades by Europeans to free the Holy Land

2. Once you were converted to Muslim, you could not change or else you would be killed