The Islamic Empire expanded trade networks by establishing stability and low taxes along trading routes. It gained control over Mediterranean, Silk Road, and Indian Ocean trade. This spread of Islam influenced other cultures as Arabic culture was adopted, while Islamic cultures also borrowed from places like Persia. Core beliefs in Islam like the Quran, Five Pillars, and figure of the Caliph provided continuity, though a split emerged between Sunni and Shia views of leadership succession after Muhammad.

1. Islam and Islamic Civilization
Spread, Change, and Continuities

4. The size & strength of the Islamic Empire fostered trade!
•There were few borders
and relative stability!
•Trade was safer and
taxed less.

5. The Islamic empire took control of . . .
• Mediterranean trade
• part of the Silk Roads and Trans-Saharan Trade
Routes
• Muslim merchants gained increasing control of
Indian Ocean trade

7. • Banks were set up in cities
throughout the Islamic
empire.
• Textiles and paper were an
important part of regional trade and
manufacturing
• Horses, medicine, and sugar were
important exports

9. Spread & CHANGE
• As Islam and Arabic culture
spread into other regions it
influenced cultures.
• New cultures, like Persian,
also influenced elements of
Islam and Arabic culture.
• Islamic learning centers (like
the House of Wisdom)
collected learning from
around the empire.

11. Continuities in Islam
• Monotheism &
Muhammad
• Quran – the revelation of
God in Arabic
• Caliph – political / religious
leader of Islam
• Umma – idea of one
community

12. Sunni and Shia Split
After Muhammad’s death,
• Sunnis wanted the leader to be
chosen.
• Shia’s wanted the leader to be a
blood relative of Muhammed.

13. • 5 Pillars of Islam –
Statement of Faith
Prayer
Fasting (during Ramadan)
Giving to those in need (Zakat
/ Alms / Tithe)
Pilgrimage to Mecca (the Hajj)
Jihad – holy war or internal
struggle

14. Continuities in Islam
• Arabic Language
• Hadiths – Texts on the life and teachings of
Muhammed
• Sharia – Written Law code (interpretations of
Quran and Hadith and ?)
• Ulama – Islamic jurists (scholars) who
interpret Sharia law