Spread of Islam! 600c.e.-900c.e.
Mecca = Makkah
Medina = Madinah
Muhammad = Mohammad
Quran = Koran
624 ce
733 ce
Early Arabs
Tribes
Religion: Polytheistic
worshipped the meteorite in Mecca.
Mecca trade routes created wealthy communities!
But the rich merchants did not treat the poor well so there was unrest
Muhammad
Merchant who was married to a wealthy widow, Khadija, lived in Mecca
Believed to have received Revelations from angel Gabriel.
Taught that the words of Jesus had been distorted by people and that God spoke to Muhammad so he could return the beliefs back to what they were supposed to be.
Core belief: There is one god, and Muhammad is his prophet.
Muhammad gains popularity
His followers get persecuted.
he lived in Mecca…. A city that made much of its profit off of selling IDOLS…. Monotheism speaks against Idols.
Moves to Medina, formed the first Muslim community
630 C.E returned to Mecca with 10,000 men. The city quickly surrendered without any fighting He gave high positions to
the leaders, which kept them happy.
Creation of an Empire
Mohammad died in 632 C.E.
Abu Bakr was chosen as Caliph
Caliph is the leader of a Muslim Empire, religious and political.
United the tribes and turned military action towards neighboring empires.
JIHAD: “struggle in the way of God.”
Spread of Islam
Why Did People Convert?
Winning wars = God’s favorite
You always want to be on the winning side
Muhammad distributed wealth from raids to neighboring tribes to make alliances.
Islamic practice said that wealth was distributed to the poor
Life wasn’t so bad
A Split in Islam
Revolts under the Umayyad Dynasty in the 700’s C.E.
Disagreed with the Umayyad’s rule and many believed only the prophets family should be Caliph, meaning the fourth Caliph, Ali (Muhammad’s son-in-law)
Ali was assassinated
Ali’s son led a revolt, Hussein
It led to the split into Shia and Sunni
- Consider the first 4 caliphs rightful caliphs
- Imam is anyone who leads the prayers
- Only consider Hussein’s father Ali’s descendants rightful leaders
- Imam is considered leader of the community
Here come the Turks Next Dynasty was the Abbasid Empire
Empire became divided from fighting over the next Caliph
Abbasid power decreased, separate dynasties were created
Seljuk Turks power increased
Nomadic people from Central Asia that converted to Islam.
Eventually took power of the Islamic Empire in 1055 Ce.
What was it like under the Islamic Empire
Prosperity!!!!!
Trade flourished… Middle East had some of the richest cities.
Period was called the Golden Age
PS. Western Europe was in its dark ages.
For Other Religions?
According to the Quran all Muslim people are equal in the eyes of god.
Christians and Jews could practice their religion but they did have to pay an extra tax!
Polytheistic people weren’t so lucky.
Class system
Upper class
Wealthy merchants (respected), Elite, ruling families
Slaves
From Non-Muslim areas such as Asia and Africa
Served in the army
Were often freed or could buy their freedom and receive many rights
PS. Islamic Law made it clear that they were to be treated fairly and considered it a good act to free them
Women
Quran granted them religious and social equality.
Men were mostly dominant but women had the right to:
inherit
earn wages
divorce
to their dowry
Men could have four wives if able to treat them equally. Most men couldn’t afford it
PS. As the religion spread, these customs disappeared. Veiling became a thing and women lost many of the rights given by the Quran.
Advances that become important
Philosophy: They copied the old Greek text that Europe were no longer paying attention to.
Science: astronomy (the study of space)
Medicine: medical encyclopedia, surgeries, etc.
History: birth, growth, decay