Transcript PPT

Islamic Empire, 632-1258
Why Did Islam Spread?
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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?
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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
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In Qur’anic context, it means an Islamic holy
war against unbelievers
Jihad Quotes from the Qur’an
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“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)
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Expansion of Islamic State
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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
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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
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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
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Translation of Chinese,
Indian scientific works into
Arabic
Collected knowledge, but
didn’t effectively use it
Disintegration and Fragmentation
Eurasia, in 1000 AD
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Abbasid dynasty
eventually fell apart b/c
it was too big to control
from one center
Broke up into four parts
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Abbasids
Fatimids, in Egypt
Seljuk Turks, who took
over Holy Land
(Crusaders fought
against them)
Omayyad Spain
End of the Abbasid Dynasty
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Abbasids eventually
overcome by Mongols
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Mongols destroyed
irrigation systems of
Persia, Iraq (desert
today)
Mongols halted in 1260,
by Egyptians
(Mamlukes)