Islamic Empire, 632-1258
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Transcript of Islamic Empire, 632-1258
Islamic Empire, 632-1258
Why Did Islam Spread? Before his death in 632, Muhammad told his
followers to spread the Muslim faith to the entire world
Abu Bakr, elected caliph in 632, invoked Jihad against all non-believers
What does “jihad” mean?
Literally means “striving”; there are 3 types Personal striving, to purify soul of evil Verbal striving, for justice in name of Allah Physical striving, whose meaning depends on
context 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 practice 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)
Expansion of Islamic State By 642, Muslim Arabs
had conquered from Egypt to Persia
By 656, from Tripoli to Pakistan
In 661, 4th Caliph, Ali, died – split into Sunni, Shia sects
By 711, Arabs invaded Spain, India
In 732, Arabs were defeated at Tours, in France
Sunni vs. Shia
Sunni Muslims Means “Beaten Path”
(follows traditions of the Prophet)
Majority (90%+) of Muslims
Reason for split: wanted to elect Caliph
Spiritual differences – Muslim leaders are human (make mistakes)
Shia Muslims Means “Faction” (supporters
of the prophet’s family) Minority (10%) of Muslims,
mainly in Iran Reason for split: wanted to
keep Caliph in Muhammad’s family
Spiritual difference – do not look to hadith for guidance; Muslim imams cannot make mistakes on Qur’anic issues
The Umayyad Dynasty (661-750) Umayyads were Arab family from Mecca Umayyads moved capital from Mecca to Damascus, in Syria –
Why? Continued conquests into Pakistan, Africa, Spain
Rise of the Abbasid Dynasty (750-1258)
Abbasids were Persian rebels against the Umayyads Managed to kill all but one Umayyad prince, who fled to
Spain and set up a kingdom there Abbasids moved capital to Baghdad, in Iraq, b/c it was
closer to major trade routes
Golden Age of Abbasid Caliphate Baghdad grew as tribute
flowed in Abbasids established a
strong central government to control empire
Scholars flocked to Baghdad b/c of the large libraries there Translation of Chinese,
Indian scientific works into Arabic
Collected knowledge, but didn’t effectively use it
Disintegration and Fragmentation
Abbasid dynasty eventually fell apart b/c it was too big to control from one center
Broke up into four parts Abbasids Fatimids, in Egypt Seljuk Turks, who took
over Holy Land (Crusaders fought against them)
Omayyad Spain
Eurasia, in 1000 AD
End of the Abbasid Dynasty
Abbasids eventually overcome by Mongols Mongols destroyed
irrigation systems of Persia, Iraq (desert today)
Mongols halted in 1260, by Egyptians (Mamlukes)