political islam world history - libertyville hs. why did islam spread? before death in 632,...
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Political Islam
World History - Libertyville HS
Why Did Islam Spread?
Before death in 632, Muhammad told followers to spread Muslim faith to rest of world
Abu Bakr – elected caliph to succeed Muhammad in 632
He invoked jihad against non believers
What does “jihad” mean?
Literally means “striving” (3 types) Personal striving (purify
soul) Verbal striving (justice) Physical striving
(contextual) In Qur’anic context, it
means an Islamic holy war against unbelievers
Jihad Quotes from the Qur’an
“But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them, And seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent (accept Islam) and establish regular prayers and practices regular charity then open the way for them; for God is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.”
(Qur’an 9:5)
Jihad Quotes from the Qur’an
“O ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him)” (Quran-9:123)
“….Allah promises you much booty (spoils of war) that you will capture from the defeated infidels….” (Qur’an 48:20)
Historical Jihad
Invitation was sent to neighboring locations of unbelievers to voluntarily convert to Islam or face invasion Pagans = convert or die People of the Book
(Jews, Christians ) = Convert or be conquered and become dhimmi
Islam to 661 AD
Four caliphs after Muhammad were known as the “Rightly Guided Caliphs”
Next two caliphs, including Ali, son in law of Muhammad, saw expansion of Muslim Empire into Persian, Byzantine Empires
Each caliph was assassinated by rivals
The Umayyad Dynasty (661-750)
After Ali’s death, the Umayyads (Arab family from Mecca) seized power
Umayyads moved capital from Mecca to Damascus
They continued conquests into Pakistan, Africa, & Spain
Rise of the Abbasid Dynasty (750-1258)
The Abbasids were primarily Persian rebels against the Umayyads
They took over after slaughtering all but one Umayyad prince, who fled to Spain and set up a kingdom there (Moors)
Abbasids moved capital to Baghdad, mainly for reasons of trade
Islam in 1000 AD
Golden Age of Abbasid Caliphate
Baghdad quickly grew as money from conquest and tribute flowed
Abbasids established a strong central government to control empire
Scholars flocked to Baghdad Large libraries Muslims very respectful of
learning of all cultures
Abbasid Golden Age
Translation of Chinese, Indian scientific works into Arabic
Muslim state was the most advanced of this period
They collected knowledge of all peoples
BUT they did not necessarily effectively use that knowledge
Disintegration and Fragmentation
Islam’s empire was too big for control from one center
Caliphs were isolated from and not responsive to the people
Three way fight for power developed Abbasids (Persia) Fatimids took over Egypt Seljuk Turks
Seljuk Turks
Took over Syria, Palestine, Islamic Asia
Fought against crusaders
Eventually eliminated by the Mongols
The Mongols and Islam
The Mongols under Genghis Khan swept through the Abbasid Caliphate and destroyed it by 1258
Mongols destroyed everything in their path Irrigation systems of Persia,
Mesopotamia Main reason why area is desert
today Mongols stopped in Egypt in
1260 by Mamelukes, (Christian slave-soldiers)
Rise of the Ottoman Turks
Ottoman Turks, steppe people, were driven from central Asia by Mongols in 1200s
Made their way to Anatolia
In 1300s, Ottomans united and forged an empire in Anatolia, fighting the Byzantines
Ottomans Conquer Islamic World
From Anatolia, the Ottomans crossed the Bosphorus Straits into Europe and began conquering the Balkans
In 1453, their ruler, Mehmet II, conquered Constantinople and ended the Byzantine Empire
Went on to conquer Muslim world, parts of Europe
Greatest Extent of Ottoman Empire