AFTER MUHAMMAD RISE OF CALIPHS Leader of Muslim

AFTER MUHAMMAD

RISE OF CALIPHS • Leader of Muslim world – Means successor to Muhammad – Died at age of 62 • First Caliph was Abu Bakr • He united all Arabs under Islam • Established the Rashidun Caliphate – Consisted of the first 4 Caliphs

SHIITE-SUNNI DIVIDE • Not everyone agreed Abu Bakr should rule • This divided Muslims into two groups • Still causes conflict today

SHIITE • Believed Muhammad’s sonin-law Ali should lead • Thought his line possessed mystical powers • Descendants called Imams • Mostly found in Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yeman

SUNNI • Many felt any good Muslim could lead • Sunnism was a compromise between this group and Shiites – Any pious male from Mohammad’s tribe – Considered political leader more so than religious – 90% of Muslims are Sunni

UMAYYAD CALIPHATE • Powerful Sunnis from Mecca • Moved Capital to Damascus • Extended Muslim Rule – Partially due to weakness elsewhere – Also due to great cavalry • Tolerated but taxed non. Muslims

ABBASID DYNASTY • Coalition of Shiite and non Arabs formed • Founded by Abu al-Abbas • Stressed equality among Muslims • Moved capital from Damascus to Baghdad – Persian style Government and Bureaucracy, led by a Vizier – Baghdad become hugely

SPREAD OF ISLAM

BECOMING MUSLIM • Only have to make the profession of faith in front of two or more witnesses. • May take a long time to master • As Islam spread it became more diverse like its followers • Qur'an forbid forced "La conversion ilaha ill allah, Muhammadur Rasullu llah"

SEPARATION OF MOSQUE AND STATE • Muslims quickly gained control of a large empire • Spread of the religion was much slower despite ease of conversion • After the Abbasid Revolution the Islamic Empire broke apart – Conversion increase in speed – People outside the borders

THE PROCESS OF CONVERSION • Levant conquered in 638 – By 1200 (600 years later) still less than 50% • Egypt Conquered in 642 – By 700 few Egyptians converted – By 900 about 50% – By 1200 over 90% • Iraq and Iran conquered by 654 – By 900 about 50% • Iberia (Spain and Portugal) Conquered in 711 – Never have become the majority faith.