history of islam- aggregate (82)

8/3/2019 History of Islam- Aggregate (82)

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The History of IslamThe History of Islam

Presentation for SS2 Asian Studies by Martin PerezPresentation for SS2 Asian Studies by Martin Perez

With supplementary discussions on Monotheism andWith supplementary discussions on Monotheism and

Southwest AsiaSouthwest Asia


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I. PREFACE: Inheritor of Two TraditionsA. Axial Age and the Monotheistic RevolutionB. The Shifting States and Empires of Southwest

Asia

II. Ibn Khalduns Constant:Asabiya

III. The Prophet

IV. Rise of IslamA. The Question of SuccessionB. The Golden Age of IslamC. Fragmentation and Consolidation

OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION


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Being our last lecture for the semester, thispresentation also aims to do the following:

1.Tie in and synthesize a lot of previously mentionedconcepts together that will enhance your

understanding of Indian and Chinese history, andcivilization in general.

2.Present Asia as a coherent and connected whole

that will:

3.Provide a foundation for our activities in the 3rdQuarter which focuses on the Asian continent as amodern and thriving civilization even before the

coming of the West.

META-OBJECTIVES


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INHERITOR OF TWOTRADITIONS (I):

AXIAL AGE AND THEMONOTHEISTICREVOLUTION


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THE AXIAL AGE


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THE AXIAL AGE

1. All occurred in or near the original river valleycivilizations.This meant that the materialpreconditions were present for the developmentof religion and thought.

1. Each revolution in thought was born during aperiod of crisis or instability. Old orders werebreaking down and there was a demand for a newstandard of behaviour ethics.

1. Axial Age revolutions can be counted on thefingers of one hand.This does not mean thatreligion and thought stopped evolving, but that

most breakthroughs and advances either (a)occurred within the original tradition, or (b) is


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Monotheism is the beliefin one God.

It is an idea that is older

than the Hebrews, but itis in them we see theearliest and clearestexpression.

Moreover, the Hebrewtraditions would pavethe way for Judaism,

Christianity and Islam.

MONOTHEISM


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THE HEBREW STORY

The Hebrews belong to the Semitic language group ofpeople. Other semitic people include: Akkadians,Aramaeans, Amorites, Phoenicians, and the earlyArabs. (Semites = son of Shem, one of Noahs sons)

Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot,son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai,the wife of his son Abram, and brought them

out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to go to the landof Canaan. (Gen. 11:31)

This suggests a migration of the Hebrew people from

Mesopotamia to Syria around 1900 to 1500BCE.


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THE HEBREW STORY

Around 1250BCE, the Hebrews found a leader inMoses. His story would end in the forging of theHebrews covenant with Yahweh.

Thou shalt not have other gods beforeme.

In terms ofHebrew religious development, this is

the first major shift: from polytheismto monolatry.

Characteristics of monolatry:1. transcendent theology2. moral precepts, rituals, and tabus


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THE HEBREW STORY

1050 Invasion of thePhilistines

1025Saul unites thetribes of Israel into onekingdom

The kingdom then reachesits peak under David (1000 961) and Solomon (961 922).


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THE HEBREW STORY

Solomons demisefractured the kingdominto two: Kingdom ofIsrael (north) and

Kingdom of Judah(south).

Relatively weak as a

whole, the kingdomswere weaker apart.

In 722, Israel fell to the

Assyrians. In 586, Judah


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THE HEBREW STORY

Prophetic RevolutionAs the kingdom of Israel was under threat, a newgeneration of preachers began to speak of a newmessage.

1.Thorough-going monotheism2.God is righteous3.He demands ethical behaviour

Justice and ethics were put at the forefront ofHebrew life.

Their message is similar to the Buddhas commentaryon Hindu materialism, and Chinese philosophys

arguments about social chaos and disorder.


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THE HEBREW STORY


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THE HEBREW STORY

Post-Exilic AgeUpon being liberated by the Persians in 539BCE, theIsraelites rebuild the Temple. They last until 332BCE.

Message of the Post-Exilic Age:

1.Eschatological doctrines, or thoughts on the end oftime.

o The coming of a Messiah

These beliefs complete the doctrines of Judaism.They hold on tightly to their faith as they wait,committing their learnings and experiences towriting.


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THE HEBREW STORY


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THE HEBREW STORY

SUMMARY

1.The Hebrew experience with Monotheismeventually leads to the three primary monotheisticreligions in the world: Judaism, Christianity, and

Islam.

2.There are four stages in the development ofHebrew religion that correspond to key events in

their historya. Polytheistic stageb. Monolatryc. Prophetic revolutiond. Post-exilic age


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INHERITOR OF TWOTRADITIONS (II):

THE SHIFTING STATES ANDEMPIRES OF SOUTHWEST

ASIA


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SETTING THE STAGE

Islam was born in adesert town, but itsstory stretched farbeyond the borders ofthe Arabian peninsula.

Understanding its historywill require acomprehension of the

size and scale of theAsian continent.The following section is an overview of the history ofSouthwest Asia up until the major empires thatsurrounded Arabia at the dawn of Islam.


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STATES AND EMPIRES IN SOUTHWEST ASIA

NORTHERN ZONE

A complex recordedhistory of states andempires revolving aroundMesopotamia.

SOUTHERN ZONEHome to smaller empiresthat traded across theRed Sea to the Arabian

Sea, interacting withEgypt and Greece.

ARABIAN PENINSULA

A tribal desert society

NORTHERN ZONEMesopotamiaPersian Empire

SOUTHERN ZONEThe Incense Road

ARABIAN PENINSULAThe Bedouin


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MESOPOTAMIA


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MESOPOTAMIA

Mesopotamian civilization (3200 to

539BCE) is founded between the Tigrisand Euphrates rivers. It is a successionof nations that built on the achievementsof the one before.


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MESOPOTAMIA

People Highlights

Sumerians3200 2000 BCE

Had the earliest cities Invented: the wheel, writing (cuneiform),lunar calendar, the ziggurat as the city center Introduced irrigation

Amorites2000 1600 BCE

Also called Old Babylon

A Semitic people that conquered Akkad Hammurabi (ruled 1792-1750BCE) Known for: The Epic of Gilgamesh,mathematics, division of time: duodecimalsystem

Assyrians1300 612 BCE

Splendid city of Nineveh Superb and unmatched warriors of the time

Chaldeans612 539 BCE

Also called New Babylon Advances in architecture and astronomy


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MESOPOTAMIA

1. Cities were planned

and administered byapateshi(priestking).

2. Believed inanthropomorphicgods.

3. Legally had social

classes: nobles,commoners, andslaves.

4. Had a rich writtenMesopotamia came to an end in 539BCE

by the hand of the Persian Empire.


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PERSIAN EMPIRE

Persia is modern-dayIran.

Its earliest inhabitants are the Elamites (2800 550BCE) who would often feud with the Babyloniansand Assyrians.

More influential, however, have been the Aryans

who came into Iran around 1100BCE. Of these


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PERSIAN EMPIRE

PERSEPOLIS


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PERSIAN EMPIRE

Achaemenid Empire (550 to 330 BCE) founded by


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PERSIAN EMPIRE

Parthian Empire (247 BCE to 220


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PERSIAN EMPIRE


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STATES AND EMPIRES IN SOUTHWEST ASIA


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THE INCENSE ROAD

Trade in aromatics (such as frankincense and myrrh)

and spices connected ancient Arabia, Egypt, India, andAfrica.

Note: Mecca was one ofthe key cities along thisroute.


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THE INCENSE ROAD

The Incense Road connects with theSilk Road.


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THE INCENSE ROAD

TRIVIA: Who were the Three Wise Men?

From the Gospel of Matthew: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea,during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem andasked, Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw hisstar in the east and have come to worship him... On coming to the house,they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down andworshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him withgifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

A Magi was anastronomer and afollower of Zoroaster.

To the east of Judea isPersia.

Gold, frankincense

and myrr were all


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Contributions of the Fertile Crescent

Wheels- Sumerian first used wheeledvehicles to transport goods and trade

Cuneiform- The Sumerian cuneiformwas made up of wedge-shapedsymbols. Its alphabet includedabout 300 symbols representingsyllables


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Aphabet- This alphabet

contained 22 symbols forconsonant sounds, written invertical columns from right toleft

Iron Working Hittiteslearned to extract ironfrom ore and fashioned

tools and weapons thatare harder than bronzeor copper ones. Theyhelped spread theknowledge of iron

Hittites

Phoenicians


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Advanced Knowledge in Astronomy Using advanced knowledge in

astronomy, astronomers could predicteclipses of the sun and moon and theposition of planets in relation to the sun.

Coins Early coins were made ofelectrum, an alloy, or natural mix, ofgold and silver. The image on a coinshowed its value.

The used of warchariot in expandingthe empire

Babylonians

Lydians and

Persians

Chaldeans


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Which contribution in the presentationdo you think is the most important?Explain.


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II

IBN KHALDUNS CONSTANT:ASABIYA


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IBN KHALDUN

He is the father of modern-day

historiography and the social sciences.

Lived a storied life from 1336 to 1406.He travelled extensively throughout theMuslim world, serving different courts in

different capacities.

In two key points in his career, hewitnessed the instability and chaoscaused by two warring dynasties in

North Africa, the Marinids and Hafsids.

Up until the end of his life, he waslecturing and teaching about histheories on history. One of his last

students was Timur (aka Tamerlane),the reat Asian em ire builder.


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IBN KHALDUNS OBSERVATION

Ibn Khaldun noticed that the rise and fall of dynasties

followed a cycle.

A dynastyestablishes itspower in a city

The city reaches aperiod of prosperityand prominence Leaders grow either

weak, lax, corrupt,or all three; Primary

cause is luxury

Tribes in theperiphery gather instrength andnumber

At its weakest, the cityis overrun by invading

tribes


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ASABIYA

Asabiya is often translated as group feeling

and as a quantity it determines how well onegroup can work together.

It is a feeling of belonging to something that is

expanding, and expansion can only come aboutthrough effective leadership.

Ibn Khaldun observed:

Desert tribes have higher asabiya than citydwellers

Groups with higher asabiya will dominate

groups with lower asabiya


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ASABIYA


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ASABIYA


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ASABIYA

Asabiya is indirectly proportional to the increasingcomplexity of society.

WHY A TRIBE HAS HIGHER ASABIYA

Share common blood tiesDriven by the shared need to surviveHave to utilize fewer resourcesEncounters competition from other tribes

WHY A CITY HAS LOWER ASABIYA

Not everyone is related by bloodJob specialization and diversification

Thriving intellectual life allows for a variety of viewsLuxury, wealth, status, and class set people apartGovernment is more distant and decision making isdelegated to a few


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ASABIYA

So how can asabiya be increased or improved?

Ibn Khaldun suggests two ways:

1.Religion This creates a group feeling among

people who are not related by blood.2.Royal authority This directs the energies of apeople towards a common purpose.

What do YOU think are other ways asabiya can beenhanced?

My own suggestions:Political ideology

National identity


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USING ASABIYA IN HISTORICAL ANALYSIS

The next two slides were real scenariosin history. Id like you to think of howthe concept ofasabiya can explain whathappened in these.

I am leaving these to you forindependent use. I encourage groupdiscussion on this since there are many

possible ways to analyze and useasabiya.

Ill be asking for your insights here ineither S ecial Essa #2 or the Periodic


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THE MONGOL INVASION OF CHINA


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PEOPLE POWER 1986


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III

THE PROPHET


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THE SETTING

By 600CE, at the dawn of Islams birth,The Christian Byzantine Empire in Europe and theZoroastrian Sasanid Empire were exhausting eachother through a rivalry that would end by 627.

In the Arabian peninsula, the caravan town of Meccawas quickly becoming a prosperous trading center,ushering in urban and commercial changes that put

pressure on traditional institutions.

Throughout Arabia were the Bedouin tribes who livedon herding and sporadic raids (ghazu) on settlementsand caravans.


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THE BEDOUIN

Pre-Islamic Arabia

Tribes were bound together by the muruwah spiritwhich emphasized courage in battle, patience insuffering, and vengeance to protect the tribe.

Most of the tribes were polytheistic, and Mecca servednot only as a trading center but a place for the differenttribes to house their idols in the Kabah.

Tribes living closer to the Byzantine and Persianempires were exposed to Judaism and Christianity, thusthe concept of a monotheistic faith is not alien to theArabs.


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GUIDE QUESTIONS AS YOU WATCH

Just three things:

1.What was Arabia like before the coming ofIslam?

2.What was Muhammad like as a person?

3.How was monotheism a radical idea at that

time?


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Muhammad (570 to 632BCE) was raised an

orphan in a less well-to-do tribe called theQuraysh.

He married Khadija and exposed himself tothe commercial lifestyle in Mecca.

However, he grew increasingly troubled by

the idolatry, worldliness, and lack of socialconscience around him.

This opened him up to a profound religious

experience that would change his life when

MUHAMMAD

MUHAMMAD


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MUHAMMAD

WHAT DID MUHAMMAD TEACH?


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First of all, Muhammad wasnt

well received in his hometown of Mecca.

His preaching against theirtraditional gods andgoddesses threatened both(a) their ancestral ways and

(b) the Meccan pilgrimageshrine and the lucrative tradeit attracted.

He fled Mecca in 622 for the




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The migration to Medina in 622

is called the hijrah. It is the startof the Muslim calendar and thebeginning of the first ummah.

Allegiance to the ummahHonesty in public and personalaffairs

Modesty in personal habitsAbstention from alcohol andporkFair division of inheritances

Improved treatment of women


THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM


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Muslim faith is concretized in the Five Pillars

of Islam which had an underlying socialjustice message.

I. Shahadah (profession of faith)II. Zakat (charity)III. Sawm (fasting)IV. Salat (ritual prayer)

V. Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca)

Muhammad made faith and harmony amongpeople accessible so long as they submit to

Allah.

THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

THE ARTICLES OF FAITH


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THE ARTICLES OF FAITH

In addition, Muhammad did not see himself as

the initiator of a new tradition, but therestorer of the original message of God.

I. The unity of God

II. AngelsIII. Scriptures (the Quran)IV. Prophet-messengers

V. The Last Day

They regarded Jews and Christians as ThePeople of the Book who were spiritually

superior over the polytheists.

MUSLIMS BECOME ONE PEOPLE


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MUSLIMS BECOME ONE PEOPLE

In 630, Muhammad

triumphantly returnsto Mecca.

He casts out idolsfrom the Kabah,declaring thesupremacy of the

one true God.

A tribalconfederation is

bound by personal


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IV.ATHE RISE OF ISLAM

THE QUESTION OFSUCCESSION

THE NEXT QUESTION


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THE NEXT QUESTION

After Muhammad dies in 632, the question

immediately turns to who will succeed him.

Abu Bakr, his most gifted student, assumescommand of the ummah. He is called thecaliph.

O Men, if you have been worshipping

Muhammad, then know that Muhammad isdead. But if you have been worshippingAllah, then know that Allah is living and

never dies.

A DIFFERING OPINION


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A DIFFERING OPINION

However, some contested that the

successor should be a relative of theprophet.

His closest relative, his cousin Ali, becamethe caliph in 656 but was largely contestedby rival parties.

He was murdered in 661 and his bloodlinewas eradicated when his son, Husayn, wasmurdered at Karbala, in Iraq, at the year680.

SUNNI AND SHIA


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SUNNI AND SHIA

AGE OF THE CALIPHS (632 750)


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AGE OF THE CALIPHS (632 750)

ABBASID DYNASTY (750 1258)


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ABBASID DYNASTY (750 1258)

WAS IT HOLY WAR?


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WAS IT HOLY WAR?

Jihad is mistakenly

translated as holywar. It simplymeans struggle.

It can refer to apersons internalstruggle against

temptation andsin.It can also refer to an external struggleagainst those who may invade or harm the

Dar al-Islam (the Abode of Islam).

REASONS FOR THE EASE OF ISLAMS SPREAD


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REASONS FOR THE EASE OF ISLAM S SPREAD

1. The Byzantine and Persian empires were weak and

vulnerable.

2. Islam bound the once separated tribes together.Coupled with their experience in warfare, thiscontributed to incredibly high asabiya.

3. Other people were ready to accept Islam, especiallywith its emphasis on having no clergy and focus onsocial justice.

4. Muslims were tolerant and protected their subjects.They did not force conversion and allowed others tocontinue with their own faith and laws provided

they pay a tax (jizyah).


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IV.BTHE RISE OF ISLAM

THE GOLDEN AGE OF ISLAM



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The Umayyad and Abbasid periods areconsidered The High Caliphate where apolitically strong, culturally vibrant, andeconomically wealthy system led to a Golden

Age for Islam.

KEY RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENTS


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KEY RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENTS

During the Abbasid dynasty, the following emerged:

1.Ulama (persons of right knowledge) arguedthat Muslim law must be derived from the practices(sunnah) and sayings (hadith) of the ProphetMuhammad, the Perfect Man.

1.Shariah law became the Muslims definitiveguide for legal, social, commercial, political, ritual andmoral concerns.

1.Sunni Islam was concretized, following threeprinicples

1. The umma is a theocracy, ruled by shariah law2. The caliph is charged with administering the

ummah and protecting the Dar al-Islam.

FLOWERING OF ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION


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FLOWERING OF ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION

Note these three things as you watch:1.What is the significance of Baghdad?

2.How did the House of Wisdom bring peopletogether?

3.What were some of the achievements in

Baghdad?


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IV.CTHE RISE OF ISLAM

FRAGMENTATION ANDCONSOLIDATION

DECLINE OF THE EMPIRE


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DECLINE OF THE EMPIRE

In the final years of the Abbasid, the caliphate

weakened as power devolved to local leaders such asthe amirand religious authorities such as the ulama.

One can argue that Islam has a historical tendency tobe fragmented (as opposed to China which had atendency towards unification).

1.Islam is egalitarian; the Quran never really talksabout centralized authority.

2.Muslims were an inherently mercantile people. Tradeand commerce would flourish with or without thestate.

CENTURIES OF TURMOIL


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CENTURIES OF TURMOIL

The Muslim world wasembroiled in a conflict withChristianity. From 1095 to

1291, the Holy Roman Empirefou ht to seize control of

In 1216, Genghis Khan leadsthe Mongols into Persia andMesopotamia. By 1258,

Baghdad is burned and looted.

THE LATER ISLAMIC EMPIRES


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THE LATER ISLAMIC EMPIRES

Between 1450 and 1650, Islamic culture and statecraftblossomed. Instead of one universal empire however,there emerged three, distinctively Islamic states.

I. Ottoman Empire in the Middle East

II. Safavid Empire in IranIII. Mughal Empire in India

By 1700, Islamic civilization was as strong and vital as

Europe, Ming China, and Tokugawa Japan.

OTTOMAN EMPIRE (1299 1922)


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OTTOMAN EMPIRE (1299 1922)

SAFAVID EMPIRE (1501 1722)


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SAFAVID EMPIRE (1501 1722)

MUGHAL EMPIRE (1526 1707)


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MUGHAL EMPIRE (1526 1707)

HOW HISTORY BRIDGES PEOPLE


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HOW HISTORY BRIDGES PEOPLE

We will be watching a clip of PresidentBarack Obamas speech to the Muslimworld delivered last June 4.

Observe how he uses history to expresshis respect for the Muslim world andreaffirm their common ties.


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END OF THE

PRESENTATION

OTHER PRESENTATIONS IN


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O S O S

THE SS2 ASIAN STUDIESCIVILIZATION LECTURE SERIES

I.Introduction to Civilization

II.History of India

III.History of China

IV.History of Islam

MARTIN BENEDICT PEREZ 2009

history of islam- aggregate (82)

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