The Spread of Islam. I. Muhammad’s Successors Spread Islam 632: Muh. Died Abu Bakr chosen as successor Caliph = “successor of the Prophet”

The Spread of Islam

I. Muhammad’s Successors Spread Islam

632: Muh. Died Abu Bakr chosen as successor

Caliph = “successor of the Prophet”

A. “Rightly Guided” Caliphs Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, & Ali

All knew Muh. Rule = caliphate

Abu Bakr promised to uphold what Muh. stood for Some abandoned Islam

“jihad” (striving in the path of God)

Islam expanded 634: Abu Bakr died &

Muslim state controlled all of Arabia

Umar (2nd caliph) Conquered Syria & lower Egypt

Uthman & Ali cont’d to expand Muslim territory

750: stretched 6,000 mi.

Arab policy toward conquered peoples made conquests easier

More tolerant than other conquerors Christians & Jews converted or paid tribute

w/in 100 yrs. of Muh’s death

Attempt to take Const. failed 711: Berbers (N.Af followers) invaded

Spain led by Tariq (against Visigoths) Jabal Tariq (“Mtn. of Tariq”)

Spain = easy conquest 732: Battle of Tours

Stopped advance of Moors into Euro.

B. Reasons for Success

1. Victories = Allah’s support Great inspiration & morale from faith

2. Muslim armies were well-disciplined & commanded

3. people were persecuted under Byz.

rule

II. Internal Conflict Creates Crisis

656: Uthman was murdered (civil war) Ali (Muh’s cousin & son-in-law) became

next caliph 661: Muawiya (Uthman’s cousin)

Accused Ali of protecting Uthman’s assassins

Ali & Muawiya went to war Ali was assassinated (Muawiya took power)

Umayyads came to power Moved Muslim capital to Damascus

Helped control conquered lands Abandoned the “simple” life…

surrounded themselves w/wealth Helped give rise to a division in the umma

A. Division in the Umma

Most accepted Umayyads’ rule Shi’at Ali (“party of Ali”) (Shi’a)

caliph (imam) had to be descendent of the Prophet Muh.

10% of Umma

Sunni 90% of Umma Est. in 661 (Muawiya)

750: rebels overthrew Umayyads Abbasids took control

III. Islamic Control Spreads

Abbasids murdered Umayyads Abd al-Rahman escaped to Spain to est.

a caliphate

Spain = conquered by Muslims (N.Af) 732: Muslims advanced w/in 200 mi. of

Paris – stopped at Battle of Tours

A. Abbasids Consolidate Power

762: capital moved to Baghdad Trade routes

Developed strong bureaucracy Treasury Army Diplomats Supported by taxes

B. Rival Groups Divide Muslim Lands

Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258) Failed to maintain control

Independent Muslim states sprang up

Fatimid caliphate Formed by Shi’a Claimed descent from Muh’s daughter Fatima

Fatimids & smaller states were still connected thru religion, language, & trade

C. Muslim Trade Network

Med. Sea & Indian Ocean Engaged in sea trade w/world

Silk Roads Single language