CHAPTER 4: THE SPREAD OF ISLAM
Jan 02, 2016
CHAPTER 4: THE SPREAD OF ISLAM
SECTION 1 EARLY EXPANSION
OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
What region did the Muslims first unify, and who was the caliph who led this unification?
What is religious tolerance, and how did the Muslims practice it?
Why were Baghdad and Cordoba important cities?
MUSLIM ARMIES CONQUER MANY LANDS After Muhammad’s death, a man named
Abu Bakr was chosen to be the next leader of Islam.
He was the first caliph, successor to Muhammad, and was looked at as the highest leader of all Muslims.
Caliphs had to follow Muhammad’s example, which meant ruling according to the Qur’an, however, early caliphs turned out to be less religious then Muhammad.
BEGINNINGS OF AN EMPIRE
Abu Bakr was a political and military leader, who directed a series of battles against Arab tribes who did not follow Muhammad’s teachings.
By his death in 634, he had made Arabia a unified Muslim state.
Muslim armies went on to defeat Persian and Byzantine armies in battle.
When Muslims conquered a region, they made treaties, agreements, with the conquered peoples. The Pact of Umar was one of these. Conquered people could not build places of worship or
dress like Muslims.
GROWTH OF THE EMPIRE
Umayyad: Many became early caliphs Capital was in Damascus Took over lands in Central Asia, northern India,
and North Africa. Battles with the Berbers
Slowed Muslim growth in the late 600s Berbers were native people to North Africa After years of fighting, many Berbers converted
to Islam and joined in the efforts to spread it.
GROWTH OF AN EMPIRE
Muslims invade Europe Invade and conquer Spain in 711 Moved into France but were stopped by a
Christian army near the city of Tours The Muslims who ruled Spain, Moors, would
rule for the next 700 years. Abbasids come to power
New ruling clan in 750 Reorganized the government to make it
easier to rule such a large region.
TRADE HELPS ISLAM SPREAD
Merchants introduced Islam to India Although many Indian Kingdoms remained
Hindu, coastal trading cities soon had large Muslim communities.
In Africa, many societies had both Muslim and African customs, and many African leaders converted to Islam.
Between 1200 and 1600, Muslim traders carried Islam as far east as Malaysia and Indonesia.
TRADE HELPS ISLAM SPREAD
Products and Inventions Learned from the Chinese how to make
paper and use gunpowder. New Crops such as cotton, rice, and
oranges arrived from India, China, and Southeast Asia.
From Africa, new products such as ivory, cloves, and slaves came into the region.
A MIX OF CULTURES
Muslims did not ban all religions other than Islam in their lands,
Jews and Christians had to pay a special tax.
They also had to follow the rules of the treaties governing conquered peoples.
Many converted to Islam, began to speak Arabic and adopted Muslim customs.
THE GROWTH OF CITIES
Baghdad Became the capital of the Islamic Empire in
762 Major trading center One of the world’s richest cities in the late
700s and early 800s. Supported science and the arts
Had a hospital, an observatory, and a library/university.
THE GROWTH OF CITIES
Cordoba Became the capital of the Spanish Moors in 756 Made textiles and jewelry By the early 900s, was the largest and most
advanced city in Europe. Had mansions, mosques, public water, and
lighting systems. Center of learning for Muslim men and women Center of Jewish culture, many held key jobs in
the government.
SECTION 2 MUSLIM EMPIRES
THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE
In the Mid-1200s Muslim Turkish warriors, Ottomans, began to take land from the Christian Byzantine Empire in modern day Turkey.
Ruled lands from eastern Europe to North Africa and Arabia.
Key to expansion was the Ottoman Army Trained Christian boys from conquered towns to be
soldiers, Janissaries, who converted to Islam and were fierce fighters.
Also aided by gunpowder and cannons
THE OTTOMANS EMPIRE
In 1453, led by Mehmed II conquered Constantinople. Became known as “the Conqueror” Made Constantinople his new capital but
changed its name to Istanbul. Turned the Hagia Sophia into a mosque.
Later sultans, Ottoman rulers, would conquer Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, and the cities of Mecca and Medina.
THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE
Suleyman I: empire reached its height (r. 1520-1566) “The Magnificent” Took control of the eastern Mediterranean
and pushed into Europe.
OTTOMAN GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY
The sultan issued laws and made all major decisions in the empire.
Society divided into two classes: Ruling class: judges and advisors to the
sultan Had to be loyal to the sultan, practice Islam,
and understand Ottoman customs Other Class: people who didn’t fit the
previous requirements. Many were Jews and Christians.
OTTOMAN SOCIETY LIMITED THE FREEDOM OF WOMEN
Had to live apart from men in an area of a household called a harem.
Kept women out of public life, however wealthy women could still own property or businesses.
Some could even use their money to build schools, mosques, and hospitals.
THE SAFAVID EMPIRE
Persian Muslims who would come into conflict with Ottomans over the Sunni/Shia disagreement. Shia: Muslims who thought that only
members of Muhammad’s family could become caliph.
Sunni: Muslims who didn’t think caliphs had to be related to Muhammad as long as they were good Muslims and strong leaders.
THE SAFAVID EMPIRE
Safavid Empire began in 1501 when Esma’il conquered Persia and became shah, king. Made the Shia the official religion of the
empire Wanted to convert all Muslims to Shia, but
was defeated by the Ottomans, who were Sunni.
Esma’il died in 1524 and the next leaders struggled to keep the empire together.
SAFAVID EMPIRE
‘Abbas became shah in 1588 and would become the Safavid’s greatest leader. Strengthened the military and modernized
his soldiers with gunpowder. Like the Ottoman’s, trained slave boys as
skilled warriors. Took back lands lost to the Ottoman’s and
made contributions to the Safavid culture and economy.
CULTURE & ECONOMY Blended Persian and Muslim traditions Capital city of Esfahan was considered one
of the world’s most magnificent cities in the 1600s.
Manufactured hand woven carpets, and textiles made out of silk and velvet, ceramics and metal goods.
Lasted until the mid-1700s
THE MUGHAL EMPIRE
East of the Safavid Empire in India Mughals were Turkish Muslims from
Central Asia. Founded by Babur or “Tiger”.
Tried for years to make an empire in Central Asia
When he didn’t succeed, he moved to northern India.
Established the Mughal Empire in 1526.
THE MUGHAL EMPIRE
Emperor Akbar: mid-1500s Conquered many new lands and strengthened the
government. Believed that no single religion, even Islam, had all the
answers to life’s questions. Got rid of the tax on non-Muslims and invited Hindus
to be part of the Mughal government. When Akbar died, new emperors changed his
tolerant policies and made the people obey strict religious laws. Non-Muslims were persecuted and forced to pay taxes.
THE MUGHAL EMPIRE
Cultural Achievements Persian and Indian cultures blended to
form the Mughal culture. Language, building design, and clothing
were blended. The Taj Mahal was built between 1631 and
1647 by Akbar’s grandson Shah Jahan for his wife.
SECTION 3 CULTURAL ACHIEVEMENTS
SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY
Astronomy Studied time and clock making Improved the astrolabe, which charted the
stars Geography
Ibn Battutah: traveled to Africa, India, China, and Spain in the 1320s
Made more accurate maps and better ways to calculate distance.
SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY
Math Combined the Indian number system with the Greek
number system Created al-jab, “algebra”
Medicine Created tests for doctors to pass before they could treat
people Made encyclopedias of drugs with descriptions of each
drug’s effects. Wrote descriptions of diseases Started the first pharmacy school to teach people how to
make medicines The first public hospital was built in Baghdad.
SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy Sufism: teaches that people can find
God’s love by having a personal relationship with God.
Sufis: person who practices Sufism.
LITERATURE AND THE ARTS
Literature Poetry and short stories
Omar Khayyam: Sufis poet who wrote about faith, hope, and other emotions.
A Thousand and One Nights Sinbad the Sailor Aladdin Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves
LITERATURE AND THE ARTS
Architecture Mosques: originally modeled after
Muhammad’s house in Medina, began to become more elaborate and decorative.
Include: Great Hall: Huge hall where people gather to pray. Dome and Minaret: narrow tower from which
Muslims are called to prayer. Great mosques were built in Istanbul, Mecca,
Cairo, Baghdad, and Cordoba.
LITERATURE AND THE ARTS
Art Muslims think only Allah can create
humans and animals or their images. As a result, most Muslim artists didn’t
include people or animals in their works. Calligraphy: decorative writing
Made sayings from the Qur’an into great works of art that they could use to decorate mosques and other buildings.
MUSLIM SCHOLARS, LEADERS, & ACHIEVEMENTS QUIZ
1. This scholar traveled to Africa, India, China, and Spain in the 1320s. 2. This scholar proved that land did not go all the way around the Indian
Ocean. 3. This scholar wrote a math textbook on what would later become algebra. 4. This achievement teaches that people can find God’s love by having a
personal relationship with God. 5. This scholar was also known as Avicenna and wrote a medical
encyclopedia. 6. This achievement was most dramatically displayed through calligraphy. 7. This leader got rid of the tax on non-Muslims and invited Hindus to be part
of his government. 8. This leader was given the nickname “the Magnificent” and was the greatest
Ottoman sultan. 9. This scholar discovered how to diagnose and treat the deadly disease of
smallpox. 10. This achievement was displayed by the use of astrolabes and
observatories.