EXPANSION OF ISLAM & ISLAMIC CULTURE

ISLAMThe word Islam means “Submission to the one God (Allah).”The world’s fastest-growing and second-largest religionCentral teachings are derived from the Quran, the primary sacred text and Islam’s earthly center.

MUHAMMAD

Muhammad was born about 570 c.e. into the leading tribe of Mecca..He was a hard-working child who began his life as a shepherd and later went into the trading business.He was a caravan manager for a wealthy widow, Khadija, whom he eventually married.

MUHAMMAD AS A PROPHETCitizens of Mecca were hostile to the message of one godMuhammad fled north to Yathrib (Medina)This was known as the Hijra, an event on which

the Muslims base their calendar.Most of Arabia were converted to Islam by the

time of Muhammad’s death in 632.

ALLAHAbraham is the father of the Arab people.Moses and Jesus are also revered.Muhammad is the last and the “seal” of the prophets.Muslims consider human nature as essentially good, sin occurs when people forget their natural goodness.

THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM Confession of faith in one God and acknowledgment of Muhammad as a unique prophet.Prayer 5 times a day.Fasting during RamadanWealth sharing - 2.5 percent of their gross income.Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a person’s life.

EXPANSION AND VARIETIES OF ISLAM

Within one century after Muhammad’s death, Islamic civilization spread throughout the Middle East, Persia, North Africa, and almost all of Spain.Currently, the greatest concentration of Muslims is across the northern half of Africa, all of the Middle East, southwestern and South Asia, and the islands of Malaysia and Indonesia.

SUNNI AND SHI’ISM

The majority of Muslims are Sunni. They follow the established custom, or sunnah, meaning the Sunnah of the prophet, Muhammad.Shi’ism believes in Imams. They are religious leaders who are direct descendants of Muhammad.Iran and Iraq are Shi’ites.

SUFIS

The term comes from the Islamic word suf -the coarse wool garment that is worn by Sufis.Sufism strives to experience Allah as immanent - dwelling within each worshipper.The Sufi experiences oneness with Allah and gains spiritual fortitude.Sufis are not necessarily popular among Muslims.Sufis live monastic lives with a shaykh as their head.

ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION Arab empire was generally prosperous Based on extensive trade by ship & camel Camel caravans went to Morocco in far west to

countries beyond Caspian Sea Trade began to prosper during Abassid dynasty Large magnificent cities began to prosper, such as

Baghdad, Cairo, Damascus, Cordoba Islamic cities had their own physical appearance Palace & mosques = most impressive buildings Fountains, public baths, bazaars

ISLAMIC SOCIETY Muslims live their lives in accordance with

Allah’s teachings revealed in the Quran Islam states that all people are equal in the

eyes of Allah; was not always the case in the Arab empire. There was a well defined upper class of ruling families & wealthy merchants

Slaves were not considered equal - Muslims could not be slaves

CREATION OF ARAB EMPIRE Difficult finding leadership after Muhammad’s death Abu Bakr = Muhammad’s father-in-law was chosen

to be successor/ called caliph = successor to Muhammad

Bakr & Muhammad used Jihad to spread movement of Islam

Jihad = “struggle in way of God”

ARAB EMPIRE First 2 caliphs after Abu Bakr were killed In 656 Muhammad’s son-in-law, Ali, became caliph

but was assassinated 5 years later

Shrine of Imam Ali Najaf, Iraq; third holiest site in Islam

UMAYYAD DYNASTY In 661, general Mu’awiyah

became caliph Was known for only using force

if necessary Made the office of caliph

hereditary 8th century Arabs conquered &

converted the Berbers = lived on coast of North Africa

By 725 Spain was Muslim state Arabs were defeated at Battle

of Tours ending European expansion

Mosque in Cordoba, Spain

UMAYYAD DYNASTY In 717, Muslims attacked Constantinople, but their

navy was defeated by Byzantines Internal struggles led to revolts The struggles caused Islam to split into two groups,

the Shiite & Sunni Split continues today….Most Muslims are Sunnis,

but much of Iraq & Iran consider themselves Shiites

GREATEST EXTENT OF THE UMAYYAD

ABBASID DYNASTY In 750, Abu al-Abbas overthrew the Umayyad

dynasty & founded Abbasid which lasted until 1258 In 762, Abbasid built new capital of Baghdad on the

Tigris river/ location took advantage of river & caravan traffic

Baghdad became center of a huge trade empire

ABBASID DYNASTY FALLS Abbasid experienced problems; fighting

over succession of caliph Vast wealth led to financial corruption Shortage of qualified Arabs to fill

government positions allowed non-Arabs to become a dominant force in the military & bureaucracy which led to disintegration

Rulers of provinces began to break away

GREATEST EXTENT OF THE ABBISIDS