Chapter 10 Section 2

Chapter 10 Section 2 Building a Muslim Empire

I. Early Challenges to Islam A. B.

Death of Muhammad left no successor. Abu Bakr- Muhammad’s father-in-law. He became the 1st caliph. 1.

2.

C.

Muslims refuse to follow him and withdraw their loyalty to Islam. He regained their loyalty and united them under one ruler.

Muslim Empire overtook both the Byzantine and Persian Empires

II. Divisions Emerge Within Islam A.

Shiites Felt Muhammad designated his son-in-law, Ali, to lead Islam 1.

B.

Shiites could divinely interpret the Quran.

Sunnis Believe a pious male Muslim from Muhammad’s tribe should be the leader. A.

This leader is only a political figure

II. Divisions Emerge Within Islam 1.

C.

They believe inspiration comes from the example of Muhammad recorded by his early followers.

Both Sunnis and Shiites are still divided today. 1.

90% of Muslims are Sunni.

II. Divisions Emerge Within Islam D.

Sufis Muslim mystics who fast, meditate and do other traditions to find oneness with God. 1.

They spread Islam by traveling, preaching, and being a good example.

Review Questions 

Who was the first caliph of Islam? 

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What sect of Islam believes the leader should be a descendent of Muhammad’s son-in-law, Ali? 

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Shiites

What power do Shiites believe they possess? 

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Abu Bakr

The ability to divinely interpret the Quran

What is the largest sect of Islam? Who do they believe should lead Islam? 

Sunnis believe a pious member of Muhammad’s tribe should lead

III. Umayyad Caliphs Build an Empire. A.

Umayyad Caliphate Sunni group who set up an empire after Ali’s death. 1.

B.

Spread Islam from Spain to India.

Reasons for Umayyad’s success: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Weakness of the Byzantines and Persians. “Arab Liberators”. Bold efficient fighting methods. Desire to glorify Islam.

III. Umayyad Caliphates Build an Empire C.

Tolerant of Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians. 1. 2.

3.

Forced them to pay taxes. Christians & Jews played key roles in Arab societies (doctors, government officials). Muslims prohibited looting and destruction of cities.

III. Umayyad Caliph Builds an Empire D.

Reasons for converting to Islam: 1. 2. 3.

E.

For political or economic reasons. Islam had a very simple message. There is no hierarchy.

Umayyads begin to decline (fall in 750) 1.

2.

Arabs had to adapt from living in the deserts to ruling huge territories. Ruled like tribal leaders instead of kings.

III. Umayyad Caliph Builds an Empire 3.

4.

They often relied on non-Arab officials to help rule their land. Tension between wealthy and poor Arabs because of caliphs’ luxurious lifestyle.

Umayyad Review  

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When did the Umayyad Caliphate begin? Why were the Persians and Byzantines weakened? What are 3 reasons why Umayyads were so successful? Why did so many people convert to Islam? How did geography and economics play into the decline of the Umayyad Empire?

Umayyad Review 

When did the Umayyad Caliphate begin? 

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Why were the Persians and Byzantines weakened? 

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After Ali’s death (661)

They had fought each other to the point of exhaustion

What are 3 reasons why Umayyads were so successful? 

Weakness of Byz. and Per., “Arab Liberators”, bold fighting styles, glory of Islam

Umayyad Review 

Why did so many people convert to Islam? 

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For power or wealth, its simple message, equality (no hierarchy)

How did geography and economics play into the decline of the Umayyad Empire? 

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Arabs had to adapt from living in the desert to ruling large territories and they ruled those lands like tribes, not kingdoms (Geography). Their was an economic between classes when conquests began to slow down (Economics)