Chapter 6

The World of Islam

600 – 1500 A.D.

Location of the Islamic World

Key Events• Muhammad and his followers

spread the beliefs and practices of Islam

• At its peak, the Arab Empire extended west and north through Spain and into France

• In the seventh century, a split in Islam created two groups, the Shiite and the Sunni Muslims

The Impact Today• More than one billion people

around the world are Muslims who follow the teachings of the Quran, and Islam is one of the world’s leading faiths

• The cultural, artistic, and scientific contributions of Muslims continue to enrich our daily lives

Chapter Preview• “Muhammad’s Message”• Muhammad speaks to Angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. These words were gathered together as the Quran, or Koran, the sacred book of Islam.

Section 1

The Rise of Islam

The Arabs

• Lived in the Arabian Peninsula, A desert land lacking in rivers and lakes

• Nomads – because of the hostile surroundings they moved constantly to find water and food

• Organized into tribes to help one another

• Each tribe was ruled by a sheikh

Modern Arabian Peninsula Map

The Arabs (Continued)

• Most early Arabs were polytheistic (they believed in many gods)

• Recognized a supreme god named Allah (Allah is Arabic for “God”) but also believed in other tribal gods

• Tension in the Arabian Peninsula communities as increasingly wealthy merchants showed little concern for the welfare of the poor and slaves

The Life of Muhammad• Into this world of tension steps

Muhammad– Born in Makkah (Mecca) to a merchant

family in the 570 A.D.– Became and orphan at the age of 5– Became a caravan manager–Married a rich widow named Khadija

• Islam states that Muhammad received the word of Allah, the Quran, from the angel Gabriel, over the course of 23 years

Islam

• The Quran contains the ethical guidelines and laws by which the followers of Allah are to live• Followers of Islam are called

Muslims• Islam has only one god – Allah• Muhammad is God’s prophet

Islam (Continued)• Muhammad had little success

getting followers in Makkah so he moved north to Yathrib (later called Madinah)• He gained support in Yathrib and

became a religious, political, and military leader• In 630 he returns to Makkah with

10,000 men (He dies 2 years later)

The 5 Pillars of Islam (Page 194)

• Belief in one god, and Muhammad as his messenger• Prayer five times a day• Charity of wealth to the poor• Fasting from dawn to sunset

during the month of Ramadan• Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a

lifetime

Section 2

The Arab Empire and

Its Successors

Creation of an Arab Empire• When Muhammad died he had no

sons to succeed him. A caliph (successor to Muhammad) named Abu Bakr took over leadership.

• The Muslims expanded over Arabia and beyond

• The Arabs had conquered the entire Persian empire by 650.

• Brilliant generals and a large dedicated army (Spread of Islam Page 197)

The Umayyads• 661 A.D. started by Mu’awiyah, and

moved the holy city from Nadinah to Damascus, Syria (The Umayyad dynasty)

• The Arabs conquered the Berbers of North Africa, and crossed into Southern Spain in 710.

• In 732 Arab expansion in Europe came to a halt after being defeated in Gaul at the battle of Tours.

Expansion of Islam

A Split in Islam

• A division in Islam occurred in 680, between Shiite and Sunni Muslims.

• Shiite Muslims – accept only the descendants of Ali (Muhammad’s son-in-law) as the true rulers of Islam.

• Sunni Muslims – Did not all agree with Umayyad rule but accepted the them as rulers.

Muslim Distribution Map

The Abbasid Dynasty• In 750 A.D. the Abbasid Dynasty was

created when Abu al-Abbas (a descendant of Muhammad’s uncle) overthrew the Umayyad dynasty.

• This dynasty last until 1258.• A new capital was built in Baghdad, Along

a trade route from the Mediterranean to central Asia

• Cairo, Egypt also becomes a powerful Muslim city, causing division between Eastern and Western Muslims

The Seljuk Turks and Crusades

• A nomadic group from Asia who conquered Baghdad in 1055. Eventually conquered the Byzantine Empire.

• The Crusades were led by Christian armies from Europe to retake the land conquered by Muslim armies in 1096.

• In 1197, however, the Muslim army under Saladin attacked from Egypt and conquered Jerusalem and defeated the Christians.

Crusades Map

The Mongols• In 1258, the Mongols attacked and

destroyed all of Baghdad and continued to invade to the Red Sea and Egypt

• Over time, the Mongols slowly converted to Islam and Christianity, marrying and settling with the peoples of the Mediterranean region

• The Arab Empire came to an end and the center of Islam became Cairo, Egypt.

Section 3

Islamic Civilization

Prosperity in the Islamic World

• Trade was an important aspect of the Islamic world, especially with China, the Byzantine Empire, and India

• Trade was carried both by ship and by camel caravans

• Cities like Baghdad and Cairo became major centers of the Islamic faith, as well as trade and commerce, cultural, and economic activity

The Bazaar – How Bazaar!

• The Bazaar (covered market) was an important part of all Muslim cities.•Goods from many regions were available at the bazaar.•Quality standards were put in place.

The Importance of Farming

• The majority of Arabs still lived in rural areas.• Most farms in the Arab Empire were along the Nile, Euphrates, and Tigris River Valleys.

Islamic Society• Although the Quran saw all people as being equal, the Arab Empire had an upper and lower class, which included slavery.• Slaves were often forced to serve in the army, and were also able to buy their freedom.

The Role of Women• The Quran granted women spiritual and

social equality with men.• Every women had a male guardian• The Quran allowed Muslim men to have

up to 4 wives, but they would have to pay a dowry• The custom of requiring women to cover

virtually all parts of their bodies when appearing in public was common in the cities and is still practiced today in many Islamic societies.

Section 4

The Culture of Islam

Preservation of Knowledge

• The Arabs translated works of Plato and Aristotle into Arabic.• Translations were placed in “The House of Wisdom” (A Library). Read and studied by Muslim scholars.

Philosophy, Science, and History

• Developed the mathematical discipline of Algebra, which is still taught today.• They also perfected an instrument called the astrolabe.• Developed medicine as a field of scientific study.

Art and Architecture• The best expression of Islamic art is found in the magnificent Muslim mosques.• The Great Mosque of Samarra in present day Iraq (Built from 848 to 852 A.D.)• No representations of figures appear in Islamic religious art.

Great Mosque of Samarra

Chapter 6

The World of Islam

Wrap Up and Review

Key Events (Re-visited)

• Muhammad and his followers spread the beliefs and practices of Islam

• At its peak, the Arab Empire extended west and north through Spain and into France

• In the seventh century, a split in Islam created two groups, the Shiite and the Sunni Muslims

The Impact Today (Re-visited)

• More than one billion people around the world are Muslims who follow the teachings of the Quran, and Islam is one of the world’s leading faiths

• The cultural, artistic, and scientific contributions of Muslims continue to enrich our daily lives