Islam began in the 7th century in the Arabian Peninsula under the prophet Muhammad. It then rapidly expanded across much of the Middle East, North Africa and parts of Asia in the following centuries due to military success and the weakness of surrounding empires. As Islam spread, it influenced and was influenced by local cultures. Two main branches, Sunni and Shia Islam, developed early on due to conflicts over religious leadership. The Islamic empire established political and religious rule across its lands based on Islamic teachings from the Quran and Hadith.

1. ISLAM
and EARLY ISLAMIC
CIVILIZATION
600s to 1200s

2. ISLAM
Religion AND Empire
In CONTEXT
Islam – submission
Muslim – one who submits

5. Islamic Empire Timeline
 Muhammad begins Islamic Rule (622 – 632)
 Islam Expands under the First 4 Caliphs
(632-661)
 Sunni and Shia Split
 Umayyad Caliphate (Empire) (661-750)
 Abbasid Caliphate (Empire) (750-1258)
 Mongols defeat Abbasids (1258)

6. Foundations
 Islam began in the Arabian Peninsula
within Arab Bedouin culture.
 Urban areas were centers of trade (and
cultural diffusion)

8. Foundations
 Muhammad was a merchant who experienced a
revelation of God (Allah) that would begin a
new religion (with connections to Judaism and
Christianity).

10. Spread
 After Muhammad gained followers and won
a civil war against other clan leaders, more
groups joined him.
 The next centuries saw rapid expansion of
the Islamic empire because of . . .
 1. Military success
 2. the weakness of surrounding Empires
 3. elements of Islamic belief

13. Spread
 As it spread, Arabic language and culture
spread and mixed with other cultures.

16. The Spread of Islam:
Map Snapshot

17. CHANGE
 Soon after Muhammad’s
death, two groups developed
as a result of conflicting ideas
about leadership.
 Sunni and Shi’a branches of
Islam continued to split into
smaller groups.

19. Spread & CHANGE
 As Islam spread into other regions it
influenced cultures.
 New cultures also influenced elements of
Islam.

20. Texts
 The Quran (Koran) contains the
revelations given to Muhammad.
 The Hadith are the teachings and actions
of Muhammad.

21. Islam compared to
Christianity
 Both monotheistic … “perfections”
 Both founders did NOT write the texts
 Both teachings initially appealed to lower
classes and women
 Both belief systems emphasized social
justice

22. Islam compared to
Christianity
 Unlike Christianity, Islam began and
continued as both a religion and a
political structure. (Caliph / Sharia)
 Unlike Christianity, Islam does not
emphasize religious authorities like
priests, popes, bishops

23. Connections with Judaism
and Christianity
 Islam retained elements of Judaism and
Christianity.
 Abraham
 Jesus (as a prophet)
 The Torah and Quran have similar narratives

24. ESSAY Prompts
 Analyze the continuities and changes
over time in the social structure of
Islamic Civilization as it spread from
600 ce to 1500 ce.

25. ESSAY Prompts
 Analyze the continuities and changes
over time in the political structure of
Islamic Civilization as it spread from
600 ce to 1500 ce.

26. ESSAY Prompt
 Analyze the continuities and changes
over time in the culture of Islamic
Civilization as it spread from 600 ce to
1500 ce.

27. ESSAY Prompts
 Analyze the continuities and changes
over time in the commerce and trade of
Islamic Civilization as it spread from
600 ce to 1500 ce.

28. ESSAY Prompts
 Analyze the continuities and changes
over time in Islamic Civilization as it
spread from 600 ce to 1500 ce.
 Analyze the similarities and differences
in TWO of the following societies as
they were impacted by Islam from 600
to 1500 ce.
 India
 Anatolia
 West Africa
 Spain