CHAPTER SIXTHE FIRST GLOBAL CIVILIZATION: THE RISE AND SPREAD OF ISLAM

Mr. Toma Midwest City High School

ARABIAN PENINSULA

Landscape was dry and inhospitable, although coastal regions had extensive agriculture.

PRE-ISLAMIC ARABIA

• Bedouin (nomadic) cultures were first civilizations on Arabian peninsula. • Organized into clans (kin-related) and tribes (groups of clans). • Clan cohesion and wars

over pasturelands (needed for grazing lands) caused inter-clan rivalries.

THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN• By about 600 c.e. lands of Rome had been overtaken by the

Goths and Vandals and the East Roman Empire (Byzantine) was spreading its influence into northern territories.

• The Sasanid (neo-persian) Empire (224-600 C.E.), which was led by warrior elites, main purpose was to serve as military strongpoints protecting long distance trade. The Silk Road brought many new crops to Mesopotamia and the Sasanid’s again reestablished Zoroastrianism as the faith of the empire. 2nd Persian Empire

• The proclamations of both Zoroastrianism and Christianity as official faiths marked the emergence of religion as an instrument of politics both within and between empires.

• This politicization of religion greatly affected the culture of the Silk Road and would shape governments to follow.

The Byzantine EmpireThe Byzantine EmpireDuring the Reign of During the Reign of

JustinianJustinian

The Byzantine EmpireThe Byzantine EmpireDuring the Reign of During the Reign of

JustinianJustinian

PRE-ISLAMIC ARABIA

• Transcontinental trading was very common• Wealthy merchants were

the elite. • Mecca: important city for

trading and site of religious shrine (Ka’aba)for polytheistic worship.

• Tribes often matriarchal because husbands were often traders.• Religion: animism and polytheism.

ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS

• Monotheistic faiths of Middle Eastern origins that trace a common origin to Abraham.• Judaism• Christianity• Islam

LIFE OF MUHAMMAD

• 570 CE: Muhammad was born into a prominent and respected clan• Raised by his Uncle, a merchant.• Became a merchant when he marries a

wealthy businesswoman Khadija; widely traveled into Christian and Jewish regions.• 610 CE: received first of many revelations in

Mecca.• Muslims believe that God transmitted

revelations to Muhammad through Angel Gabriel.

• Revelations were later written down in Arabic and are called the Qu’ran.

The Religion: the Koran (Qu’ran) the Koran (Qu’ran): contains much of

Mohammed recounting of Allah’s teachings written down by his followers after his

death– from notes and memories, on “stones and

parchments” Short: 114 chapters

– arranged from longest to the shortest– not by subject or chronologically– length is the criterion of order for the text

The Koran, con’t

some “Old” and “New” Testaments stories– but sometimes the story seems a bit

different to Jews and Christians parables and fables political polemic and prophecy “non-religious” subjects

– not dissimilar to Jewish and Christian scriptures in some ways

MECCA MEDINA

• Mecca • Located in the mountains

along the Red Sea on the western coast of Arabia.

• Most important link of the Arabian trading system

• Founded by the Umayyad clan of the Quraysh tribe.

• Medina (Yathrib): Oasis town. Dominated by two Bedouin and three Jewish clans.

• Wells and springs made farming possible.

• Engaged in trade on a much smaller scale.

MECCA MEDINA

• Begins with a small following, quickly grows.

• Umayyad Merchant clan leaders saw Muhammad as a threat and planned on killing him.

• In 622 CE, he flees from Mecca to Medina. (hijra)

• Continued to gather believers (Umma)

• 629 CE: journeys back to Mecca and conquers city; Ka’aba is now a Muslim shrine

• 632 CE: dies without naming a successor.

SIGNIFICANCE OF ISLAM

• Islam means “submission” to Allah (God).• Muhammad is last of a series of

prophets (including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus)• Islam transcended tribes, clans

and class divisions. • Strong sense of community:

helped to end many feuds between tribes and built community based on religion.• Created an ethical system and

legal/moral code: people now were held accountable for actions.

Allah (God) in Arabic

5 PILLARS OF ISLAM

• Confession of faith (Uncompromising monotheism)• Salat Pray, facing Mecca five times a day• Fast during Ramadan (commemorates Muhammad’s

first revelation)• Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca to worship at ka’aba)• Zakat Give to charity, social responsibility

Additional teachings dietary laws no gambling or drinking no sexual irregularities, as defined by

tradition and custom no faulty weights or usury no infanticide elaborate rules concerning inheritance

and property improvement in the status of women

and children

Changing Status of Women Qu’ran improves status of women

– Outlawed female infanticide– Brides, not husbands, claim dowries

Yet male dominance preserved– Patrilineal descent– Polygamy permitted, Polyandry

forbidden– Veil adopted from ancient

Mesopotamian practice

Similarities to Judaism and Christianity monotheism (defined a bit

differently) insistence on the responsibility of

human beings final judgment and rewards angels and spirits practice of virtues: truthfulness,

compassion, etc.

Differences

an emphasis on compassion and mercy alms giving moderate heaven conceived a bit differently no priests or sacramental system easy conversion: the Shahadah

– ‘There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet.’

Islamic Law: The Sharia

Codification of Islamic law Based on Quran, hadith, logical

schools of analysis Extends beyond ritual law to all

areas of human activity– This is the basis the idea of an

“Islamic republic” for instance

MUHAMMAD'S SUCCESSOR?

• Muhammad died in 632 CE: debate over who should succeed him.

• Decided that a caliph (political and religious successor) should be designated.–Ali: cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad• Deemed too young

–Abu Bakr: father-in-law, chosen because he understands politics of region and tribes. Ruled as Caliph 632-634 C.E.

SUNNI AND SHIA MUSLIMS

• The main division between Sunni and Shia Muslims is originally not a religious one, but a political one. • Sunni Muslims: Abu Bakr was the best choice

as caliph; caliphs should be chosen from the umma (Muslim community). (85%)

• Shia Muslims: Ali should have been picked as caliph (successor should have been kept in the family). They do not recognize the authority of Sunni Muslim leaders. (15%)

• Over centuries, differences in belief and law develop which contributes to many major disputes in the region until this day

22

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF SUNNI AND SHIA MUSLIMS

SPREAD OF ISLAM

• Islamic faithful slowly converted Bedouin tribes, some through conquest and force but most are peaceful.• Ridda Wars, 632-633 Series of

battles Led by Abu Bakr to defeat rival prophets and larger clans.

• Great desire to spread religion; expands by military conquest.

• Full integration of converts into umma• No distinction between new

converts and those who were raised in the faith

• Converts do not have to pay dhimmi tax (non Muslim tax)

24

RIVALS TO ISLAMIC EXPANSION

SASANIAN EMPIRE

• Sasanian Empire• Last pre-Islamic heir to the

Persian Empire• Power in hands of

autocratic ruler, who was manipulated by wealthy landowning aristocrats • Rapid Muslim victories due

to poorly prepared Sasanian troops. Capital taken which leads to collapse of empire• 651 CE- last ruler

assassinated and Persia is conquered

TENSIONS WITH THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE

• Muslim invaders received support of Coptic Christians in Egypt and Nestorians in Syria because Muslims taxed them less than the Orthodox church did.• Ultimately cannot defend against

Arab assaults.• Muslim naval supremacy

challenged Byzantine control of Mediterranean. By 640 Alexandria in Egypt had been taken.• Muslim invaders reduced strength

of Byzantine Empire in N. Africa, Mediterranean, S. Italy

CALIPHS AND CALIPHATES

• Caliph = Islamic religious and political leader• Caliphate = dynasty of Islamic caliphs• Rashidun or Rightly Guided Caliphs (632-661)• Abu Bakr; Umar; Uthman; Ali

• Umayyads (661-750, centered in Damascus)• Abbasids (750-1258, centered in Baghdad)• Córdobas (756-1031, Iberia)• Fatimids (909-1171, North Africa, Shi’a)• Almohads (1145-1269, North Africa, Iberia)• Ottomans (1517-1922)

UMAYYAD CALIPHATE661-750

• Damascus= Umayyad capital• Umayyads conquer many during this period, and

unite areas through expansion.• People could convert to Islam, but little incentive

because converts were inferior to born Muslims Few Muslim converts during Umayyad era• Muslim Arabs were first class citizens–Paid lower taxes –Could join imperial administration and army–Received share of riches from conquests

DECLINE OF UMAYYADS

• Umayyad extravagance and riches• Luxurious lifestyles Legitimacy is

questioned; abandoned frugal, simple lifestyle of Muhammad

• People resent extravagance of Umayyads, see them as corrupt and decadent. • Abbasid family/army rebels defeat the

Umayyad army at the Battle of the River Zab in 750. The Abbasid Caliphate takes over• An Umayyad survivor, Abd-ar-Rahman I, flees to

the Iberian Peninsula and creates the Caliphate of Córdoba.

31

ABBASID CALIPHATE750 C.E. – 1258 C.E.

• Abbasids begin as Shi’ites but change to Sunnis. • Abbasids built new capital in Baghdad, Iraq• Converts (Mawali) are seen as equals.• Continue Umayyad style of excess and luxury• Harems: Originate with Abbasids, a household of wives

and concubines

• Abbasid caliphs are increasingly distracted, and the power of the wazir, or chief administrator, increases.• Head of caliph’s inner councils• Royal executioner• Built administrative infrastructure

CÓRDOBA CALIPHATE IN AL-ANDALUS756-1031

• Al-Andalus: Islamic Spain• 711: Berbers (North African

Muslims) move into Iberian peninsula• 732: Halted at Battle of Tours in

France

• 756: Umayyads arrive and begin Córdoba Caliphate

• Preserved Greco-Roman knowledge that provides the basis for Islamic developments.

• Unique Spanish Arabic style emerges in art, vocabulary, architecture.

COMMERCIAL BOOM

• Abbasids used dhows with triangular sails to carry goods for trade.• Muslims participate heavily

in Indian Ocean Trade; become the dominant traders.• Muslims collaborate with

Christians and Jews to trade. • Different Sabbaths meant

trading all week

• Artisans created glassware, jewelry, furniture, carpets.

• Region with few natural resources.

ISLAMIC CULTURE

• Architecture focused on great mosques with minarets.• Greco-Roman learning that had

been lost after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire was recopied by Muslims and distributed throughout the empire for their use. • Writings from Aristotle

(philosopher), Hippocrates (physician), Ptolemy (astronomer) and Euclid (mathematician) were saved.