The Islamic World 600 to 1500 A.D.

The Islamic World 600 to 1500 A.D.

◊Arabia- Land of Contrasts- Well watered in the South- Desert and Oasis communities in

the North◊Mecca

- Crossroads for trade routes- Site of the Ka’aba Shrine

◊Arabia- Land of Contrasts- Well watered in the South- Desert and Oasis communities in

the North◊Mecca

- Crossroads for trade routes- Site of the Ka’aba Shrine

Bedouin SocietyBedouin Society

◊ Nomadic◊ Basic unit is the tribe

- Townsmen (Oasis), Nomads, Semi-nomads- Ruler is the Sheikh (warrior in the North and Religious leader in the South)- Council of Elders (majlis)- Tribes are autonomous- herding and raiding or trade are means of support

◊ Nomadic◊ Basic unit is the tribe

- Townsmen (Oasis), Nomads, Semi-nomads- Ruler is the Sheikh (warrior in the North and Religious leader in the South)- Council of Elders (majlis)- Tribes are autonomous- herding and raiding or trade are means of support

Pre-Islamic ReligionPre-Islamic Religion

◊ Polytheistic with Supreme God Allah heading a community of local spirits

◊ Community of faith, no priests◊ Each tribe possesses a sacred stone◊ All tribes worship a sacred black meteorite

called Ka’aba located in Mecca◊ Surrounded and heavily influenced by Judaism,

Eastern Orthodoxy(Christianity) and Zoroastrians

◊ Polytheistic with Supreme God Allah heading a community of local spirits

◊ Community of faith, no priests◊ Each tribe possesses a sacred stone◊ All tribes worship a sacred black meteorite

called Ka’aba located in Mecca◊ Surrounded and heavily influenced by Judaism,

Eastern Orthodoxy(Christianity) and Zoroastrians

5th and 6th Century Changes

5th and 6th Century Changes

◊ Economic importance of Arabia Grows- Byzantine/Persian wars cut trade routes- Sea route from India to Arabia expands- Trading communities become wealthy- Friction grows between wealthy merchants and the Bedouins

◊ Economic importance of Arabia Grows- Byzantine/Persian wars cut trade routes- Sea route from India to Arabia expands- Trading communities become wealthy- Friction grows between wealthy merchants and the Bedouins

◊ Into this increasingly intense world steps Muhammad

◊ Orphaned member of powerful Kurash tribe in Mecca

◊ Works as caravan manager for his uncle until he marries a wealthy widow

◊ Age 40 he starts asking questions: How to live properly?

◊ Meditates and finally receives revelations from the Angel Gabriel

◊ Into this increasingly intense world steps Muhammad

◊ Orphaned member of powerful Kurash tribe in Mecca

◊ Works as caravan manager for his uncle until he marries a wealthy widow

◊ Age 40 he starts asking questions: How to live properly?

◊ Meditates and finally receives revelations from the Angel Gabriel

God calls Muhammad to TeachGod calls Muhammad to Teach◊ Relies on other religions, but introduces some

new ideas• Agrees with Rigid monotheism of other

religions and absolute power of God (Allah)• Contrasts:

◊ No chosen people, God is tied to all people◊ Jesus is a prophet not God as God can’t

mingle with earthly substance◊ All pious monotheists are Muslims they

are just misguided and don’t realize it

◊ Relies on other religions, but introduces some new ideas• Agrees with Rigid monotheism of other

religions and absolute power of God (Allah)• Contrasts:

◊ No chosen people, God is tied to all people◊ Jesus is a prophet not God as God can’t

mingle with earthly substance◊ All pious monotheists are Muslims they

are just misguided and don’t realize it

Principle of IslamPrinciple of Islam

◊ Humans must behave morally◊ Use reason as a tool to find their

way◊ All who submit to Allah are brothers

(Islam)◊ Social justice is central to Islam◊ One is required to exert oneself

(Jihad) to spread the word

◊ Humans must behave morally◊ Use reason as a tool to find their

way◊ All who submit to Allah are brothers

(Islam)◊ Social justice is central to Islam◊ One is required to exert oneself

(Jihad) to spread the word

Qu’ranQu’ran

◊ Originally Muhammad memorizes the revelations from Gabriel and the Qu’ran (recitation) is spoken

◊ Eventually written down about 651 A.D.• Principles of submission, absolute obedience• Followers of earlier prophets have strayed and

Muhammad is the last and greatest prophet ◊ hadith (reports of the words/actions of

Muhammad)became the chief source of legal and religious norms.

◊ Originally Muhammad memorizes the revelations from Gabriel and the Qu’ran (recitation) is spoken

◊ Eventually written down about 651 A.D.• Principles of submission, absolute obedience• Followers of earlier prophets have strayed and

Muhammad is the last and greatest prophet ◊ hadith (reports of the words/actions of

Muhammad)became the chief source of legal and religious norms.

5 Pillars of Islam5 Pillars of Islam

◊ Confession of Faith: There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet

◊ Daily prayer (first 3 then 5 times daily towards Jerusalem then Mecca)

◊ Fast during Ramadan (atonement)◊ Zakat (tithe or charitable giving)◊ Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca once in

lifetime)

◊ Confession of Faith: There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet

◊ Daily prayer (first 3 then 5 times daily towards Jerusalem then Mecca)

◊ Fast during Ramadan (atonement)◊ Zakat (tithe or charitable giving)◊ Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca once in

lifetime)

Early IslamEarly Islam

◊ Claims to be last prophet of one and only God

◊ Muhammad and 30 followers eventually flee to Medina a rival city (Hegira)

◊ Basic ideas emerge:• No alcohol, pork• Honesty, modesty, fair inheritance• Women’s rights: marriage, divorce• Hajj, and worship rituals

◊ Claims to be last prophet of one and only God

◊ Muhammad and 30 followers eventually flee to Medina a rival city (Hegira)

◊ Basic ideas emerge:• No alcohol, pork• Honesty, modesty, fair inheritance• Women’s rights: marriage, divorce• Hajj, and worship rituals

Early IslamEarly Islam

◊ Muhammad rejected by Jews of Medina◊ Forms powerful political block by raiding

caravans and attracts followers◊ Defines community of followers as the

Umma (community)◊ Seizes control of Medina and then

conquers Mecca with army of 10,000◊ People of the Book (dhimmis) are largely

left alone if the submit to Muhammad

◊ Muhammad rejected by Jews of Medina◊ Forms powerful political block by raiding

caravans and attracts followers◊ Defines community of followers as the

Umma (community)◊ Seizes control of Medina and then

conquers Mecca with army of 10,000◊ People of the Book (dhimmis) are largely

left alone if the submit to Muhammad

The Rise of Islam 610-750 AD.

The Rise of Islam 610-750 AD.

◊ Muhammad’s Vision (Khadija)-Monotheism, 5 pillars (declaration of faith, daily prayer, charity, Ramadan fast, hajj)

◊ People of the book, Sharia◊ First Four Caliphs to 750 AD. Conquer Syria,

Palestine, Persia, Egypt, North Africa◊ Why? Neighbors weak, Mobile war, unity

-tax non-Muslims, protect “People of the Book”

◊ Muhammad’s Vision (Khadija)-Monotheism, 5 pillars (declaration of faith, daily prayer, charity, Ramadan fast, hajj)

◊ People of the book, Sharia◊ First Four Caliphs to 750 AD. Conquer Syria,

Palestine, Persia, Egypt, North Africa◊ Why? Neighbors weak, Mobile war, unity

-tax non-Muslims, protect “People of the Book”

Expansion of IslamExpansion of Islam

◊ 3 Phases• 650 Arabic phase• 650-950 A.D. Ummayad and Early Abbasid• Post 950 Post Abbasid and Mongol/Turkic

◊ Western• Arabia, Egypt, Mesopotamia (Arabic

Speakers)◊ North Africa: Trade precedes conquest many

elites are Pre-converted, Spain 711, France, 719, Defeated by Charles Martel 733

◊ 3 Phases• 650 Arabic phase• 650-950 A.D. Ummayad and Early Abbasid• Post 950 Post Abbasid and Mongol/Turkic

◊ Western• Arabia, Egypt, Mesopotamia (Arabic

Speakers)◊ North Africa: Trade precedes conquest many

elites are Pre-converted, Spain 711, France, 719, Defeated by Charles Martel 733

Expansion of IslamExpansion of Islam

◊ Eastern• Destroy Persian Army in 651A.D., well into central Asia by

700 and reach India 713 A.D.◊ Why the success?

• Jihad – spread the faith• Religious cohesion and Zeal : Not unusual to have nomad

invasions, but religion keeps them from being absorbed like earlier invasions

• Equality: no peasants means it is attractive to the poor• Byzantines and Sassanid Persians locked in a war• Fine Arnies: Fixed salaries, pay and loot attractive to

Bedouins, Martyrdom, (loot,loot,loot)• Tolerance of dhimmis (People of the book) NO!!!! polytheists

◊ Eastern• Destroy Persian Army in 651A.D., well into central Asia by

700 and reach India 713 A.D.◊ Why the success?

• Jihad – spread the faith• Religious cohesion and Zeal : Not unusual to have nomad

invasions, but religion keeps them from being absorbed like earlier invasions

• Equality: no peasants means it is attractive to the poor• Byzantines and Sassanid Persians locked in a war• Fine Arnies: Fixed salaries, pay and loot attractive to

Bedouins, Martyrdom, (loot,loot,loot)• Tolerance of dhimmis (People of the book) NO!!!! polytheists

Successor’s to MuhammadSuccessor’s to Muhammad

◊ No clear successor to M when he dies• Will Islam survive? Revolts follow his

death

◊ First 4 Khalifs◊ Abu Bakr elected Khalifa (successor)

• Enforces Qu’rannic law dies 534• Duties emerge: links religion and gov’t ,

but not a Pope!!!! Control military and economy, publish Qu’ran

◊ No clear successor to M when he dies• Will Islam survive? Revolts follow his

death

◊ First 4 Khalifs◊ Abu Bakr elected Khalifa (successor)

• Enforces Qu’rannic law dies 534• Duties emerge: links religion and gov’t ,

but not a Pope!!!! Control military and economy, publish Qu’ran

Successor’s to MuhammadSuccessor’s to Muhammad

• Ummar 634-44 surge out of Arabia, seize fertile crescent, Egypt, Most of Iran, after he dies continue to N. Africa and rest of Iran by 650

• 3rd Khalif Uthman◊ Accused of advancing his family and is

assassinated◊ Dispute arises: is the Khalif supposed to be

related to Muhammad, the best leader or most moral person???

• Ummar 634-44 surge out of Arabia, seize fertile crescent, Egypt, Most of Iran, after he dies continue to N. Africa and rest of Iran by 650

• 3rd Khalif Uthman◊ Accused of advancing his family and is

assassinated◊ Dispute arises: is the Khalif supposed to be

related to Muhammad, the best leader or most moral person???

Successor’s to MuhammadSuccessor’s to Muhammad

• Ali is elected but cousin of Uthman Mu’aiwya refuses to accept him◊ Civil war and Ummayad 661-750 family

rises to power with Mu’aiwya Khalif◊ Leads to permanents split in Islamic Sects

• Ali is elected but cousin of Uthman Mu’aiwya refuses to accept him◊ Civil war and Ummayad 661-750 family

rises to power with Mu’aiwya Khalif◊ Leads to permanents split in Islamic Sects

The UlamaThe Ulama

◊ Khalif is not a Caesar-pope• Religious leaders are separate and preserve, interpret

and apply the Qu’ran• Develop legal concepts, grammar rules, phonetic

alphabet and script• Scholars called Ulama

◊ By 9th Century serve as legal advisors, theologians, and interpret criminal law

◊ Called Sharia Law : legal, social, commercial, political, ritual, moral issues all addressed

• Ulama not a formal Clergy but form a new Scholar elite

◊ Khalif is not a Caesar-pope• Religious leaders are separate and preserve, interpret

and apply the Qu’ran• Develop legal concepts, grammar rules, phonetic

alphabet and script• Scholars called Ulama

◊ By 9th Century serve as legal advisors, theologians, and interpret criminal law

◊ Called Sharia Law : legal, social, commercial, political, ritual, moral issues all addressed

• Ulama not a formal Clergy but form a new Scholar elite

Islamic SectsIslamic Sects◊ Sunnis (Sunna =tradition)

• Best qualified leader should be Khalif◊ Absolute ruler, community/unity most important◊ Rely on Qu’ran, views of the Prophet (sunnas) and

Ulama (Ummayad are Sunnis)◊ Kharijites (“seceders”)

• Bedouin warriors strict Qu’ran principles• Total equality, only morally pure can lead• Depose leaders for immorality• Khalifs live in luxury are corrupt and sinners are not

Muslims• Constantly split and re-split as each decides who real

Khalif is.

◊ Sunnis (Sunna =tradition)• Best qualified leader should be Khalif

◊ Absolute ruler, community/unity most important◊ Rely on Qu’ran, views of the Prophet (sunnas) and

Ulama (Ummayad are Sunnis)◊ Kharijites (“seceders”)

• Bedouin warriors strict Qu’ran principles• Total equality, only morally pure can lead• Depose leaders for immorality• Khalifs live in luxury are corrupt and sinners are not

Muslims• Constantly split and re-split as each decides who real

Khalif is.

Islamic SectsIslamic Sects• Shi’ites (“Partisans”) are family of Ali

◊ Family of Muhammad or his daughter should be Khalif

◊ Divide political and religious authority◊ Khalif is political and Military leader◊ Imam is descended from Muhammad, sinless,

inspired by God• Resolves conflicts over Qu’ran• Mahdi, the guided one, will one day arise and

create a Messianic age ending in Judgment day

• Shi’ites (“Partisans”) are family of Ali◊ Family of Muhammad or his daughter should be

Khalif◊ Divide political and religious authority◊ Khalif is political and Military leader◊ Imam is descended from Muhammad, sinless,

inspired by God• Resolves conflicts over Qu’ran• Mahdi, the guided one, will one day arise and

create a Messianic age ending in Judgment day

Umayyad Dynasty 661-750 AD.

Umayyad Dynasty 661-750 AD.

◊ 3rd Caliph is murdered and replaced by Muhammad’s son-in-law Ali and Ali is then killed

◊ Splits Islam over Caliphate◊ Umayyad’s =Arab phase

• local officials, vast wealth, religious bias• Appoint governors, collect taxes• Use local bureaucracy to run empire• Khalif is shadow of God on earth and Emirs (governors)

and Amirs (Military) below him

◊ 3rd Caliph is murdered and replaced by Muhammad’s son-in-law Ali and Ali is then killed

◊ Splits Islam over Caliphate◊ Umayyad’s =Arab phase

• local officials, vast wealth, religious bias• Appoint governors, collect taxes• Use local bureaucracy to run empire• Khalif is shadow of God on earth and Emirs (governors)

and Amirs (Military) below him

Umayyad Dynasty 661-750 AD.

Umayyad Dynasty 661-750 AD.

◊ Govern Empire with Sharia◊ Ulama runs schools (Madrasah) in every city and

scholars travel so law code is uniform◊ Religious and political unity call Dar al Islam◊ Diwan

• Sets up precedence of tribes Arabs superior• Arabic survives because Qu’ran is not translated• Non Arabs are 2nd class, become clients of Arab

tribes• Constant Arab/Persian Tension • Early on decide Islam is universal and anyone can

convert even though the lose the head tax on non-muslims

◊ Govern Empire with Sharia◊ Ulama runs schools (Madrasah) in every city and

scholars travel so law code is uniform◊ Religious and political unity call Dar al Islam◊ Diwan

• Sets up precedence of tribes Arabs superior• Arabic survives because Qu’ran is not translated• Non Arabs are 2nd class, become clients of Arab

tribes• Constant Arab/Persian Tension • Early on decide Islam is universal and anyone can

convert even though the lose the head tax on non-muslims

Abbasid Dynasty 750-1258Abbasid Dynasty 750-1258

◊ Kill Umayyads at a banquet◊ End Arab domination◊ Universal conversion to Islam◊ Mosques, Minarets, markets,

massive trade in Baghdad◊ Umayyad Spain breaks away 850,

Seljuk invasion 900 -1055, Crusades 1099-1244, Mongols 1216-1258

◊ Kill Umayyads at a banquet◊ End Arab domination◊ Universal conversion to Islam◊ Mosques, Minarets, markets,

massive trade in Baghdad◊ Umayyad Spain breaks away 850,

Seljuk invasion 900 -1055, Crusades 1099-1244, Mongols 1216-1258

Abbasids 750 - 950Abbasids 750 - 950

◊ Emerge from Oxus River Region in central Asia• Use Asians and Persians to seize control 750 A.D.• Leaders form various ethnic groups• Persian language grows• Move capital to Baghdad from Damascus• Spain and N. Africa remain Ummayad• Come to rely on Viziers (Prime minister) and

Mameluk slave warriors to protect state• After 850 steady decline and splintering of

Empire

◊ Emerge from Oxus River Region in central Asia• Use Asians and Persians to seize control 750 A.D.• Leaders form various ethnic groups• Persian language grows• Move capital to Baghdad from Damascus• Spain and N. Africa remain Ummayad• Come to rely on Viziers (Prime minister) and

Mameluk slave warriors to protect state• After 850 steady decline and splintering of

Empire

Abbasids Decline 850- 950Abbasids Decline 850- 950

◊ 850 N. Africa Breaks away under Harun Al Rashid

◊ Iran breaks away◊ Slave revolt in Mesopotamia◊ Buyid Clan seizes control945 but keeps

Abbasids as figureheads Buyid are Shi’ites◊ Seljuks invade in 1055 and keep Abbasids as

figureheads to 1258• Royal court is huge, costs terrible, layers of officials

corrupt

◊ 850 N. Africa Breaks away under Harun Al Rashid

◊ Iran breaks away◊ Slave revolt in Mesopotamia◊ Buyid Clan seizes control945 but keeps

Abbasids as figureheads Buyid are Shi’ites◊ Seljuks invade in 1055 and keep Abbasids as

figureheads to 1258• Royal court is huge, costs terrible, layers of officials

corrupt

CultureCulture

◊ Social mobility, slavery (servants), sea and desert trade roots (spreads math, sugar, paper, bank check,

◊ Arabesque, calligraphy, literature, medicine, astronomy, philosophy

◊ Social mobility, slavery (servants), sea and desert trade roots (spreads math, sugar, paper, bank check,

◊ Arabesque, calligraphy, literature, medicine, astronomy, philosophy