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The Islamic World 600-1400

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The Origins of Islam Arabian Peninsula Urban- artisans, merchants, religious leaders Rural- Bedouin nomadic tribes; political and military sophistication Mecca- Kaba, commercial center

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Arabian Social and Economic Structure Social unit was the tribe (loyalty-protection/support) Trade, caravan guards North/central- warriors South- religious aristocracies

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Muhammads Rise as a Religious Leader Muhammad (570-632) Revelations from Gabriel: oneness of Allah and Judgment Day (651) Quran Hadith Sunna, normative example

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The Tenets of Islam Islam surrender to God Muslim one who submits Muhammad last of prophets Not a new message Five Pillars of Islam:

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Islamic States and Their Expansion Hijra 622 (Beginning of Muslim Era) To Medina 8 year conflict between Medina and Mecca Muhammad was a military and political strategist Unified through the umma not tribe Established Arab unity among Bedouin tribes through the umma

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Islams Spread Beyond Arabia Two powerful empires in 6 th century Middle East Byzantine empire Sassanid empire Muslim conquests Arabian peninsula, Egypt, N. Africa, Syria, Persia, Iberian peninsula

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Reasons for the Spread of Islam Jihad- Arab military advantages and political weakness of opponents Christian and Jewish perspectives-

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The Caliphate and the Split Between Shia and Sunni Alliances Sunni Umayyad Dynasty, Damascus (Syria), caliph court, political, ulama Shia/Shiites Imam

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The Abbasid Caliphate 750-1258 747 Abu Al Abbas led rebellion against Umayyad Baghdad capital- center of trade, intellectual achievements, medicine, astrology, Greek texts translated Significance of Arabic language in Islam Persian elite class Cosmopolitan Islamic center Divine right Slave soldiers (Turks)

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Administration of the Islamic Territories Adopted from Byzantine and Persian Caliph Vizier Ulama Emirs Native officials Diwan

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Fragmentation and Military Challenges Pay taxes = some autonomy Long distance = disobedience

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Breakaway Territories and Shia Gains 755 independent state in Cordoba, Spain 800 Tunisia, N. Africa 820 Khurasan kingdom 946 Shia Iranian overran Baghdad 969 Shia Fatimids conquered N. Africa

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The Ascendancy of the Turk The Turks were victims of slave raids. Converted to not be captured 1020 and 1030s Seljuk Turks conquered Persia, Iraq, and Syria to establish a Sunni state 950-1100 Turk expansion to Byzantines (Anatolia) Most Christians converted to Islam

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The Mongol Invasions 1206 Mongols united Mongol, Tartar, and Turkish peoples under Chinggis (Ghengis) Khan and conquered North China. 1219-1222 Mongols conquered Arabs from Persia to Central Asia (Khwarazm). 1258 the last Abbasid caliph was assassinated in Baghdad when Mongols led by Huleou took over Persia and created the IL- KHAN 1260 Damascus Syrians withstood Mongols in Battle of Ayn Jalut

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Muslim Society The Life of the People Idea of social equality was basic Muslim doctrine (among Muslims alone) Arabs regarded themselves as superior

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The Social Hierarchy 1. Caliphs household and ruling Arab Muslims 2. Converts- required to subordination to Arab tribes 3. Dhimmis (ZIH-MEEZ)- People of the Book Respect Islam, pay taxes Appointed to high positions Status dropped after Crusades and Mongol empires

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Jews in Islam Marginalized in Christian social order, then expelled from many European countries Marginalized in Islam, however given commercial liberties and respect

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Slavery Humane, moderate, no excessive work, opportunity for manumission Not People of the Book Women: housekeeping, dancers, concubines Men: soldiers, construction, mines, loading docks, mines, and eunuchs

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Islam vs. American slavery 1.Race not recognized 2.No plantation system (Zanj revolt in Persia) 3.Not hereditary

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Women in Classical Islamic Society Pre-Islam Arab tribes No problem Sold into marriage Mostly domestic roles; some political exceptions

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Early Islamic view on women Quran: equals, political, economic rights By Abbasid dynasty Patriarchal tendency absorbed from Persia and Byzantine Veiling Quran has no specific rule about veiling Purdah

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Marriage Too important for romance Arranged at 12 years old Raised children Polygamy tolerated (4) Divorce permitted

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Trade and Commerce Favorable capitalism Looked down on agricultural labor honest, truthful Muslim merchant will stand with martyrs on the day of judgment.

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Waterways main commercial route: Mediterranean, Black Sea, Caspian Sea, Volga River (Russia), Aral Sea (China), Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, Indonesia, and Philippines Cairo, Egypt

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Textiles, glass, gold, silver, copper exchanged for Asian spices, dyes, and medicine Sakk Bill of exchange Joint Stock Company By product-

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Cultural Developments

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The Cultural Centers of Baghdad and Cordoba Examples of cosmopolitan Muslim civilization

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Literature The Thousand and One Nights Aladdin and His Lamp Sinbad the Sailor Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

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Cordoba One Million people, 1600 mosques, 213,000 houses, 60,000 mansions, 80,000 shops, 27 schools (400,000 volumes in library) Contrast with Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Gall in Switzerland

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Education and Intellectual Life Valued education, especially religious learning Quran basic text Reading, writing, study of Quran Madrasa Arabic

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Teachers role- Memorization Careers: Women in education

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Compare/contrast Islamic schools to Chinese and European Islamic European Chinese Arabic, Algebra, medicine, astrology

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Them Mystical Tradition of Sufism Reaction to materialism of Umayyad Dynasty Fasting, meditation, prayer Absence of materialism and politics

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Muslim-Christian Encounter Most significant encounter Exchange: Positive until Crusades 1095 and Reconquista of Span 722-1492 Trade contacts, especially Venetians

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Andalusia, Spain Jewish, Christian, Muslim harmonious coexistence Mozarabs- Eventually met with criticism and prejudice Muslim converts sentenced to death 1250 Reconquista

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Beyond Andalusian Spain Muslim attacks on Europeans in 8 th and 9 th centuries Doctrine controversies: