The document summarizes the origins and early spread of Islam. It discusses how the Arabs originated in the Arabian peninsula and developed tribes and trade. It then focuses on the life of Muhammad, how he received revelations and founded Islam, establishing the first Muslim community in Medina. It describes the conquest of Mecca and spread of Islam after Muhammad's death, as well as the divisions that emerged between Sunnis and Shiites. The document also provides an overview of the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates and the Islamic empires' conquests, culture, and treatment of women.

1. The Rise of Islam
AP World History

2. The Arabs
• Semitic speaking people
of the Middle East
• Nomads who moved
regularly to find water
and food
• Settled in the Arabian
peninsula
– desert land
– lack of rivers and lakes

3. The Arabs
• Organized into independent
clans/tribes to help one
another with the harsh
environment
• Each tribe had a sheikh
• Developed the caravan trade
and were major carriers of
trade from the Persian Gulf
to the Mediterranean Sea
• Conflict over water &
pasture land w/warrior
culture

4. The Arabs
• Early Arabs were
polytheistic
• Allah (Arabic for
“God”) was
worshipped as a
supreme god over
other gods
• Each tribe had a
sacred stone that was
worshipped as a
symbol of Allah

5. The Arabs
• Mecca grew as a result of the
caravan trade and the worship
of the Black Stone (meteorite)
in a central shrine called the
Ka’bah
• Tensions arose between
Bedouins & the wealthier
merchants from Mecca
• Umayyad tribe controlled
Mecca (monotheistic -
believed in Allah)

6. The Life of
Muhammad

7. Early Life
• Born in Mecca in 570 A.D. to a merchant
family
• Was an orphan, but grew up to become a
caravan manager; contact with Jews &
Christians
• Married a rich widow named Khadija;
bothered by class inequalities & rivalries
• Experienced visions and was visited by the
angel Gabriel
• Came to believe that he received the final
revelations of Allah (God)

8. Early Spread of Islam
• His followers (only 30) were
persecuted so he leaves on the Hegira
(to Medina).
• He gains support in Medina and among
the Bedouin tribes.
• The first Muslim community (Umma)is
formed here.

9. Conquering of Mecca
• 630 Muhammad conquers Mecca declares
the Ka’bah a holy shrine.
• He removes the tribal idols, but keeps the
Black Stone.
• Muhammad becomes the religious and
political leader .

10. Why was Islam Attractive?
• Equality
• Single authority

11. Spread of Islam
• Muhammad dies in 632 A.D.
• Left no clear successor or heir
• The position of Caliph (Muslim leader)
is established
• Abu Bakr (1st Caliph) – close friend/
1st to convert outside of family
• Sought to protect and spread Islam
(Persia & Byzantine Empire)
• Weakness of adversaries, unity of
faith, contribute to Arab conquest

12. 1. Profession of Faith
(Shahada)
• “There is no God but
Allah, and
Mohammed is His
Prophet”
There are five pillars of Islam are
–

13. 2. Prayer
(Salat)
• Practiced five times a
day, according to a set
ritual.

14. 3. Almsgiving
(Zakat)
• One traditionally
donates a portion of
one’s income.

15. 4. Fasting
(Sawm)
• Done during daylight
hours in the month of
Ramadan.

16. 5. Pilgrimage
(Hajj)
• A pilgrimage to
Mecca is made
once during
one’s lifetime.

18. Divisions Within Islam
• Rival groups begin competing for the
Caliphate
• The 4th Caliph (Ali) was assassinated
• Ali’s rival begins the Umayyad dynasty
as the new caliph
• Capital is moved from Medina to
Damascus
• Led to a split in Islam – Sunnis,
supported the Umayyad (political
succession) - and Shiites, supported Ali
& (Muhammad’s bloodline/religious
succession)

19. Sunnis & Shiites
• Sunnis
• Believed the caliph was
primarily a leader and any
devout Muslim could
serve in the office with the
acceptance of the people
• 90% of Muslims today are
Sunnis
• Shias
• Believed the caliph was
primarily a religious
authority and should be
held only by the
descendants of
Muhammad
• 10% of Muslims today are
Shias (most are in Iran,
Iraq, & Lebanon)

20. Umayyad Dynasty (661-750)
• Emphasized Arab ethnicity
over adherence to Islam
• Converts to Islam were
considered inferior
• Respect for Jews and
Christians (allowed freedom
of worship and self rule
within their own
communities). Sometimes
required to pay taxes for
charity and on property
• Ruling families lived
excessively prompting riots
and ultimately their downfall

21. Conquests
• Pushed east to borders of
India & China
• Umayyad capital is
Damascus
• 747 A.D. – anti-Umayyad
dynasty is established
(Abbasid)
• Abbasid capital is
Baghdad

22. Abbasid Dynasty (750-945)
• Succession disputes
• Converts were appreciated – education
available and career advancement
• Shia dissention
• Civil violence drains imperial treasury
• Revolts and slavery increased
• Trade with the western Mediterranean
to China
• Greek, Roman, and Persian learning
was preserved. Greek logic, esp.
Aristotle was valued.
• Arabic numbers (from India)
• Mathematics – algebra, geometry, &
trigonometry
• Astrolabe – measured stars (used in
navigation)
• Zenith of Islamic culture

23. Abbasid Dynasty (750-945)
• Excelled in astronomy, optic surgery,
anatomy, & cartography
• Rise of urban centers: Baghdad, Cairo,
and Córdoba with institutes of higher
learning
• Arts, calligraphy, and arabesques in
writing and on pottery
• Architecture: buildings w/patios,
mosques w/minarets
• Literature: The Arabian Nights
• Position of women decline (influenced
by Persian culture)
• Sufis – mystics who focused on an
emotional union with Allah – become
missionaries

24. Women In Islam
• Early days of Islam: women were
not required to wear the veil & not
secluded
• Up to four wives allowed since the
time of Muhammad; women - only
one husband
• In general Islamic women had
more rights than other women of
the same time
• Equal with men before Allah
• Female infanticide forbidden
• Could own property (before & after marriage)
• In some cases could divorce husband
• Eventual isolation created barriers
to acceptance of Islam, especially
in Africa