BUILDING A MUSLIM EMPIRE SECTION 10 2 PP

BUILDING A MUSLIM EMPIRE SECTION 10 -2 PP. 310 -316

EARLY CHALLENGES TO ISLAM • Arabs Unite Under Islam • Abu Bakr was chosen as the first caliph • Forced to fight to gain loyalty from some Muslims • United Muslims expanded their empire and converted remaining Arab tribes to Islam

EARLY CHALLENGES TO ISLAM • Early Victories • Great military success under first four caliphs • Conquered parts of Byzantine empire and the complete Persian empire

DIVISIONS EMERGE WITHIN ISLAM • A division within Islam emerged from a conflict over who should lead the Muslim community after Muhammad’s death. • The Shiites • Believed Muhammad designated his son-in-law, Ali, to be his successor • Follow authority of an imam • Descendents of Ali and Fatima • Viewed as divinely inspired religious and political leaders • Found in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen

DIVISIONS EMERGE WITHIN ISLAM • Sufis • Muslim mystics who sought communication with God through fasting, meditating, and other rituals • Spread Islam through missionary work and examples

DIVISIONS EMERGE WITHIN ISLAM • The Sunni • Believe any pious male of Muhammad’s tribe could be the caliph, • Has political authority over the Muslims community • Not viewed as divinely inspired nor as a prophet • Constitute about 90% of the world’s Muslims

UMAYYAD CALIPHS BUILD AN EMPIRE • The Umayyad Dynasty • A Sunni dynasty established by a powerful Meccan family after the death of Ali • Conquered many new lands and spread Islam to the conquered people

UMAYYAD CALIPHS BUILD AN EMPIRE • Expanding the Empire • Conquered parts of Spain and France in the 700 s • Defeated by the Franks at the Battle of Tours • Reasons for Muslim Success • • Weaknesses of other empires Efficient fighting methods First four caliphs united Muslims Orderly system of government

UMAYYAD CALIPHS BUILD AN EMPIRE • Conquered People Are Treated Fairly • • • Jews and Christians granted religious tolerance Non-Muslims held important jobs Taxes kept empire wealthy Looting and raids prohibited Converts to Islam drawn to simple message, social power, or equality of believers

UMAYYAD CALIPHS BUILD AN EMPIRE • Decline of the Umayyad Caliphs • Arabs struggled to rule large empire • Economic tension resulted from the caliphs’ luxurious lifestyles • Unrest grew among Shiites and non-Muslims

RISE OF THE ABBASIDS • The Abbasid Dynasty • Abu al-Abbas defeated the Umayyad Dynasty in 750 to establish the Abbasid Dynasty • Change Under the Abbasids • • • Halted military expansion Discrimination against non-Muslims ended Encouraged learning Moved capital to Baghdad Persian influence

RISE OF THE ABBASIDS • Splendors of Baghdad • Center of learning and culture • Great wealth and splendor • Center of trade

RISE OF THE ABBASIDS • Muslim Culture in Spain • Surviving member of Umayyad ruling family fled to Spain and established a Muslim empire there. • Rulers welcomed Jewish and Christian culture and learning • Cities such as Cordoba and Granada still exhibit Muslim influence

THE MUSLIM EMPIRE DECLINES • Problems in the Empire • Local and regional rulers challenge empire • Shiite rulers challenged power • Invasions between 900 -1400

THE MUSLIM EMPIRE DECLINES • Seljuk Turks Take Control • Migrated from Central Asia and adopted Islam • Seljuk rulers, called sultans, ruled empire by 1055 • Mongols Sweep Across Central Asia • In 1258, Mongols attacked Baghdad and killed the last Abbasid caliph