Aim: Why did Islam Spread so quickly?

DO NOW: How can religion spread?

Death of Muhammad

With the death of Muhammad, the loyalty of some tribes of Islam came into question

Abu Bakr urged the people: “If you worship Muhammad, Muhammad is dead. If you worship God, God is alive.”

Bakr reunited the Arab tribes under their allegiance to Islam

No successor was named by Muhammad

The First Caliph

Muhammad’s most trusted advisors met ot choose a caliph, or successor to Muhammad

The new caliph would not replace Muhammad as a prophet, but as a political and military leader of the Muslims

Four Contenders For Caliph

1. Abu-Bakr, Muhammad's father-in-law and respected companion

2. Umar, Muhammad’s long-time friend and advisor3. Uthman, another friend and advisor4. Ali, Muhammad’s cousin, son-in-law and father

to Muhammad’s grandsons Tribal leaders chose Abu-Bakr as the 1st Caliph

He unites the revolting tribes and expands Muslim rule

Age of Conquests

Arab armies conquered great chunks of territory in the Byzantine Empire including Syria and Palestine

Demolished the Persian Empire Swept Egypt, North Africa Spain and France 732 the Arabs were defeated in the Battle of

Tours Later they expanded further into Asia and

Africa

Why did it spread so rapidly? Weakness of the Byzantine Empire and Persian

Empires-they were weak from fighting each other Many people welcomed Arabs as liberators from

harsh Byzantine or Persian rule Efficient fighting methods-they used Bedouin

camels and a horse cavalry A common faith that Muhammad gave his people

united them Belief that those who fell in battle would go on to

paradise Overpopulation- they needed to spread out

Results of the Conquests/ How were non-Muslims treated? There was a tax on non-Muslims but

they were allowed to practice their own faith and follow their own laws

Muslim leaders allowed Jews and Christians to practice their own faiths

Why did people eventually convert? Nomadic people in North Africa and Central

Asia chose Islam immediately because Islam had no hierarchy or class of priests

There was no religious hierarchy or class of priests

Islam emphasized the equality of all believers regardless of sex, class, race and wealth

People were previously exposed to Islam through trade

Division in IslamSunni vs. Shiite

Sunni Believe that the

caliph should be chosen by the leaders of the Muslim community. However, the viewed him simply as a leader, not as a religious authority

Shiite They believed that

the only true successor to the prophets were descendants of Muhammad’s daughter and son-in-law (Ali)