Building an Islamic Empire

Muhammad’s Death

Huge problem once Muhammad died

No successor Abu Bakr

First caliph▪ Successor to

Muhammad

Abu Bakr

Loyalty amongst Arab tribes

Once fully united, series of military campaigns

Converted massive numbers of Arabs to Islam

Early Victories

First Four Caliphs Conquered the Middle East Byzantine Empire

Dome of the Rock

Oldest surviving Islamic building

Jerusalem Muslim teaching

Muhammad ascended to heaven from the rock inside this building

Divisions

Sunni Shiite Huge impact on history

Shiites

Felt son-in-law Ali should be successor of Muhammad

Successors should be kin of Muhammad

Sunni

Any good Muslim could lead the community

Successor is called a caliph Religious and political leader

Sunnis and Shiites

90% of Muslims are Sunni

Shiites lives in Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen

Other groups Sufis▪ Mystics who sought

communion with God through meditation, fasting, etc.

Umayyad

Umayyad caliphate Dynasty of Sunni caliphs that ruled until

750 Vastly expands empire

Conquered People

Muslim leaders imposed a special tax on non-Muslims

Tax supported troops

Conversion

Easy religion to convert to No hierarchy Simple and direct message