The Rise of Islam 600-1200

Arabian Peninsula Before Muhammad

• Most Arabs Settled / Nomads a minority– Caravan cities caused

interaction between Byzantine / Sasanid Empires & Ethiopia

• Nomadic Religion = Polytheistic– Familiar with Judaism,

Christianity & Zoroast.

• Mecca = Caravan City– Between Yemen & Syria– Ka’ba = Cubical Shrine

w/idols inside

Muhammad & Foundation of Islam• Orphan born in Mecca

– Became involved in the caravan trade

• The ‘Final Prophet’– In 610CE received revelations (1

God = Allah)– Submission = Salvation– 622 fled to Medina / Formed a

single community of believers (umma)

• The Succession of the Caliph– Abu Bakr (Father-in-law)

• Goals = Standardization: 5 Pillars & Creation of an Islamic State

– Civil War over 3rd Caliphate = 3 Rival Sects

• Sunni’s= Abu Bakr• Shi’ites=Ali (Muhammad’s son-

in-law & 1st cousin)• Kharijite (Militant followers of

Ali)

The Rise & Fall of the Caliphate 632-1258

• Period of Islamic Conquests 634-711– Possible reasons: Religious fanaticism, weakness of

enemies, talent of Muslim leaders, structure of Arab Society

• Umayyad & Abbasid Caliphates 661-850– Arab Empire (not a Muslim Empire), ruled from

Damascus, Syria– Umayyad Overthrown 750 w/ help of Shi’ites– Abbasid Caliphate 750-1258 (family of Abbas,

Muhammad’s cousin)– Cultural Center of Baghdad, Golden Age of literature &

science. Non-Arab conversion in cosmopolitan centers.• Political Fragmentation 850-1050 (Mamluks grew in power),

too diverse of a region to hold under Arab rule as Islam spread.

• Attacks = Christian Crusades, Turkish & Mongol Invasions (Mongols killed final Caliph in 1258)

Islamic Civilization• Islamic Law = Shari’a

– Based on collections of reports known as Hadith• Conversion & Urbanization were related• Achievements in Medicine & Astronomy• Women

– Veiled & secluded though could be influencial– Only slave women could be in public unchaperoned– Rights under Islamic Law

• Right to inherit & own prop.• Right to divorce• Right to remarry• Testify in Court / Pilgrimage

– Supposed to live as Khadija & Fatima (Muhammad’s 1st wife & daughter)