Islam

> · Major changes in the post classical era, involved the spread of major world religions – Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. They spread due to government sponsorship and through the military. For example, when the militants conquered a specific area where people did not follow the military’s main religion, they could be sent out of the territory. · Internal trade flourished as well by means of the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, connecting northwestern Europe, west Africa, and Japan with China and Egyptian trade routes. Lead to the development of better ships and navigational devices. · While classical civilizations were declining due to economic failure, citizens were turning to their religions for security and guidance. · Trade enabled the spread of technologies, like paper, printing, and explosives. Also they were able to spread Indian mathematics to the Middle East, then the Arabs were able to blend their mathematics with that of Greece and India. Also, disease was spreading throughout the trade routes, wiping out more than one third of the population in some areas, for example, the “Black Death.” · China held onto classical politics (bureaucracy) and their religion (Confucianism), continuity was extremely important. · A few religions stressed equality between women and men, however conditions worsened for women despite religious beliefs because they were still viewed as inferior. > || S || > || P || > || I || > || R || > || I || > || T || > The First Pillar: **Shahadah** (Islamic Creed) Statement recording that there is no god but God and the Muhammad is the messenger of God. Statement: Ashud anna, La illaha illa Allah, wa Muhammad rasul Allah. First part, “Ashud anna” means that a Muslim is required to strive to worship and follow God. Second part, “La illaha illa Allah” means that a Muslim should only worship God and no other item or person. Third part, “wa Muhammad rasul Allah” means that Muhammad was a messenger who received revelation and guidance from God. Other messengers include, Jesus, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Adam, Noah, Joseph, Moses, David, and Solomon. This relates to the Qur’an because it guides the Muslims through life, which is similar to the Qur’an because it is a holy scripture that people follow. It builds a sense of community because of the people’s devotion to God. The Second Pillar: **Salah** (Muslim’s Daily Prayers) The five daily prayers is the duty of every Muslim. First prayer is between dawn to sunrise. Second prayer is between noon to mid-afternoon. Third prayer is between mid-afternoon. Fourth prayer is at sunset. Fifth prayer is after twilight until nighttime. The prayers must be recited in Arabic. They pray in a mosque or in Arabic, //masjid.// Known as a house of worship. There is no furniture just rugs and mats. They pray in a position called //sujud//, which is when a person is kneeling with hands and forehead are on the ground. Women pray behind the men. This relates to the Sunnah because it is a usual practice. And the five daily prayers are recited every day. It builds a sense of community because the people come together to pray for forgiveness of their sins and for guidance through life. The Third Pillar: **Sawm** (Fasting) For one month a year, Muslims do not eat or drink between dawn and sunset. Duty for adults, not mandatory for children, but they can do it if they chose too. During fasting, they have to pray at dawn, noon, and afternoon. When sunset, it is time to fast. They eat a meal called //iftar//, which is eaten with family and friends or at the //masjid//. Begins on Ramadan. This relates to the Hadith because they recite words and deeds before each //iftar// meal they eat. It builds a sense of community because it is supposed to make people show generosity towards other and grow as a person spiritually. The Fourth Pillar: **Zakah** (Charity as a Duty) Muslims give 2.5% of their cash savings as //zakat//. Or they can donate land, natural resources, and livestock (which is calculated at different rates). They donate to help those who are less fortunate. One hadith mentioned that “Charity is a necessity for every Muslim.” Helps build a sense of community because it helps those who are in need. It teaches them to not be greedy and share their wealth (in forms of money or other forms) to those who need it the most. The Fifth Pillar: **Hajj** (Journey to Makkah) Muslims must make a journey to Makkah at least once in their lives (money and health permitting), where they will see reenactments of the sacrifices of Prophet Abraham and his family. Located in Saudi Arabia Before arriving, Muslims must enter a state of being called //ihram//. They must put on the simple dress of a pilgrim, so that no one can tell who is rich and who is poor, famous, or powerful. Similar to Judgment Day. Ka’ba was the first house of worship for God. Pilgrims walk seven times between two mountains called Safa and Marwah. Sacrifice a sheep or other animal, whose meat is shared with those in need. They also trim or cut their hair. A hadith stated that a pilgrim will return free of sin like a newborn baby. It builds a sense of community because it brings Muslims from all around the world together for a spirit of universal humanity to worship God together. > While Muhammad was a merchant, at the age of 25, an angel was said to have appeared before him, asking him to spread the word of God. The purpose of the message was to spread the idea of that there was only one God. Islam embraced the idea of equality amongst people, which is why it was so widely accepted. However, as Muhammad did pick up followers, he also acquired many enemies, who even went to the extent of plotting his assassination. Since it was not safe for Muhammad and his people in Mecca, he and his followers traveled to a different city called Medina, which meant the city of the prophet. He wanted his message to bring unity and peace between his people. The first place of worship started at Muhammad’s own house, and he also received a revelation that those in prayer should face the way of the Ka’ba which was located in the city Mecca. While they were praying towards Mecca, the inhabitants of Mecca were planning to wipe out the Muslims. In preparation, Muhammad’s people began to gather weaponry, even though they were greatly outnumbered. Muhammad’s army consisted of about only 330 old men and young boys, while Mecca’s army consisted thousands of strong men. The Muslims were able to withstand the battle for a while, and soon enough other clans began to join in on the Muslim’s side, giving them an advantage. The Muslims had eventually won the battle, and in return Muhammad went to the Ka’ba, where he then proceeded to destroy all the idols because he wanted to spread the idea of solidarity. The reason why the empire began to spread so rapidly was because people were beginning to get fed up with the clergy in the church, so Islam was starting to look like a very attractive alternative. Islam was very accepting of other religions and beliefs, and Muslims and Christians had even shared a place of worship, Muslims would pray on Fridays, and Christians on Sundays. Islam’s first great piece of work was constructed in Jerusalem called, The Dome of the Rock. Inside was said to be the rock on which Abraham and nearly sacrificed his son to God. In just 100 years, Muhammad’s vision had transformed the political and spiritual aspects of the world, and his empire was larger than that of Rome. But he never lived to see it. He died in 632 A.D. or the 11th year of the Islamic calendar. Before he died he asked his people to not worship his grave because he did not want them to worship it, because he feared that it would interfere with their worship of God. He also asked his people to pick a successor amongst their neighbors. Muhammad’s message had transformed humanity, spreading to three continents of the world. > Questions about pages 136 – 143 1. How did the death of Muhammad lead to the Expansion of Islam? When Muhammad had passed away in 632 C.E, the Umayya clan had taken over the leadership of Islam, and lead the empire through a series of conquests throughout the Middle East and north Africa. 2. What were the motivations for Islamic conquest? One of the motives for conquest was the idea of being strong and unified. Together, they could stand up to the non-Arabs who had hated them because they believed that the Muslims were “unwashed and backward barbarians from the desert wastelands.” Another reason for conquest was that one of the early leaders saw that expansion was a good way to release the confined energies of the hostile Bedouin tribes. However, they were not motivated for the chance to win converts to their new religion. 3. How were the Umayyads able to defeat their adversaries? The Umayyads were able to defeat their adversaries because of their support from the Christian that sided with them. Also, the Byzantine Empire was weakened from the Muslims naval supremacy in the eastern end of the Mediterranean. 4. What caused the major division in Islam? The major division in Islam was caused by how the proceeds from the conquests should be divided among the tribal groups that made up the Islamic community. Also, when the third caliph, **Uthman**, was murdered, it sparked serious tensions. Also the division between the **Sunnis** (who backed the Umayyads) and the **Shi’a** (supporters of Ali) were also what caused division in Islam. 5. What was the extent of the Islamic Empire under the Umayyads? Under the Umayyads, the Islamic Empire dominated much of the Mediterranean. By the early 700s, the Umayyads had extended their empire from Spain to Asia (never had an empire of its size been built so rapidly before). The political center of the Islamic Empire was shifted to **Damasucs** which was located in Syria. 6. How were people of the book treated under the Umayyads? The people of the book were still required to pay taxes (both commercial and property), however they were allowed to worship as they pleased, allowing these people to accept Arab rule more readily. 7. Explain gender structures under the Umayyads. In the first centuries of Arab expansion, women had gained more power. Muhammad’s kindness and concern he had for his wives and daughters strengthened the bonds between husband and wife. He also encouraged marriage as a replacement for casual sexual liaisons. Men were allowed to marry up to four wives, only if the husband could support more than one wife at a time. But women could not take more than one husband. However, Muhammad had let his daughters chose whom they were going to marry, which greatly strengthened the legal rights of women in divorce and inheritance. Women had recorded the traditions of the prophet, called the **hadiths**. They were also allowed to participate in politics. 8. What factors led to the decline of the Umayyads? One factor that led to the decline of the Umayyads was the fact that the warriors were not receiving any of the proceeds from their battles. These warriors led a series of revolts leading to the downfall of the Umayyads. The Battle of the River Zab was also another key role to the downfall. The Abbasid victory opened the way for the conquest of Syria and the capture of their capital.
 * 1) =Main Ideas=
 * 1) =ESPIRIT Chart on Pre-Islamic Arabia=
 * E || ** Culture based on goat and camel herding; **Bedouins**.
 * Limited agriculture, only flourished around oases.
 * Wells and springs made agriculture possible. ||
 * Bedouin people lived in kin-related clan groups. Survival was based on dependence and loyalty to one’s family/clan.
 * Social structure: shaykhs, warriors, then slave families (who were mainly rival clans defeated at war).
 * Honor was based on one’s respect for the clan.
 * Wars were frequent.
 * Women milked camels and wove cloth to raise children.
 * Men and women were allowed multiple marriage partners. However, it was preferred if women were monogamous.
 * **Shaykhs** were leaders of the tribes and clans, which were almost always men with large herds, several wives, many children, and numerous retainers.
 * Free warriors enforced the shaykhs demands.
 * The city, **Mecca**, was the center of trade, followed by **Medina**.
 * **Ka’ba** was one of the most religious shrines in the Pre-Islamic Arabia.
 * Worshipped many gods and goddesses; polytheism.
 * Some tribes such as Quraysh, recognized a supreme god; Allah.
 * Also worshiped spirits.
 * Poetry was the main focus for pre-Islamic Arabian cultures, which was presented orally because there was no written language.
 * Poems told of lovers, war, vendettas, loyalty, and generosity.
 * Not many technological advances.
 * 1) Mark ups @http://bmcfeeleyapwhp4.wikispaces.com/file/view/The+5+Pillars+of+Islam.docx+-+markups.txt
 * 2) =Notes on Five Pillars of Islam=
 * 1) =Notes on Five Pillars of Islam=
 * 1) =Summary on Documentary of Islam=
 * 1) =Questions on Pages 136 - 143=
 * 1) =ESPIRIT Chart on Abbasid Era=
 * E || **Main Idea: Much of the Islamic Empire’s economy was dependent on maritime and extensive internal trade.**
 * The Abbasids had relocated their capital to **Baghdad** in Iraq, which was near the Persian capital of Ctesiphon.
 * They used dhows to transport goods between civilizations.
 * Long distances trade was dedicated to trading luxury items for the privileged classes.
 * There was an increase in hand-craft production, for example, furniture, carpets, glassware, jewelry, and drapery. ||
 * S || **Main Idea: Some groups of people’s social status’ were rising, such as those of merchants and landlords. On the other hand, women were beginning to lose their powerful roles in society.**
 * Non-Arab Muslims were now being viewed as equal.
 * Converts were not required to pay tax; they also had better schooling and career opportunities as administrators, traders, or judges.
 * The merchant and landlord classes were beginning to receive higher statuses and more money.
 * Merchants received all their proceeds from supplying their cities with necessities.
 * Slaves did most of the unskilled work but they also were capable of becoming caliphs and administrators.
 * New elite class had emerged that was called the **ayan**.
 * Some of the best-educated men and women in the empire were slaves.
 * Slave women were not required to wear the veil and robe that free women were supposed to where in public places.
 * Rich women were allowed no career other than those inside the homes.
 * Legal age for marriage was set at 9, women were required to run the household and take care of their husband. ||
 * P || **Main Idea: Succession of the caliph caused many disputes and civil wars within the empire.**
 * The caliphs were highly worshipped, they had jewel-encrusted thrones and palaces, and they also had absolute power over the Islamic faithful.
 * The **wazir** (chief administrator and head of the caliph’s inner councils) was starting to gain more power. They oversaw the building of an administrative transportation system that permitted the Abbasids to give their demands throughout the empire.
 * Rulers were becoming more self-indulgent and less concerned in affairs of state.
 * **Al-Mahdi** (caliph from 775 – 785) tried to reconcile the moderates among the Shi’a opposition to Abbasid rule ended in failure due to the Shi’a’s revolts and assassinations against Abbasid officials. He had tried to fix the problem of succession as well.
 * **Harun al-Rashid’s** death sparked the first of several full-scale civil wars over succession. ||
 * I || **Main Idea: Because of the size of the empire, the empire was constantly threatened by invaders.**
 * They had trading connections with Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
 * Extensive maritime trade through the Mediterranean Sea, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and South China Sea.
 * Civil wars over succession of the caliph were frequent.
 * The **Buyids** of Persia had invaded the heartlands of the Abbasid Empire and captured Baghdad.
 * The Buyids were then overruled by another group of nomadic invaders called the **Seljuk Turks**, the ruled for the next two centuries.
 * Christians wanted to capture the portions of the Islamic world that had parts of the Holy Land of biblical times, and by 1099 much of the Holy Land was captured and divided into Christian kingdoms. ||
 * R || **Main Idea: Many people converted to the Islamic religion to avoid taxes and to receive more education and career opportunities.**
 * Both Arab and non-Arabs converted to the Islamic community. There was less of a distinct division between Malawi and the early converts.
 * Converts were won over peacefully through the attractive Islamic beliefs and the advantages they were going to get over non-Muslims.
 * Much of the religious vitality in the Islamic faithful was centered of the Sufist movement.
 * **Sufis** were wandering mystics who sought a personal union with Allah (God). ||
 * I || **Main Idea: The arts and sciences were heavily reliant on achievements from Greece and Mesopotamia.**
 * The Islamic art was mostly focused on mosques, such as The Dome of the Rock, Qibla, and Pulpit.
 * Through Muslim invaders in the south, they had adopted the Indian system of numbers.
 * They had recopied the Greek subjects such as medicine, algebra, geometry, astronomy, anatomy, and ethics in Arabic.
 * There was a great expansion of professions such as doctors, scholars, legal, and religious experts.
 * Persia converted to Arabic as the primary written language of the Abbasid court.
 * Arabic was the language of religion, law, and the natural sciences.
 * Famous epic poem **Shah-Nama** (Book of Kings) relates of the history of Persia from the beginnings of time to the Islamic conquests.
 * Developed basic concepts of Trigonometry: sine, cosine, and tangent.
 * Classification: animal, vegetable and mineral.
 * Al-Biruni was able to calculate the specific weight of 18 major minerals. ||
 * T || **Main Idea: Muslims had gotten many of their ideas from other cultures but had developed inventions to help with trading and warfare.**
 * **Dhows** were sailing vessels with triangular sails, which carried goods from one civilization to another.
 * Invented damascene swords (named after the city Damascus) were highly prized. ||

- Islam had reached South Asia through Muslim, invaders, traders, and migrants. - Due to numerous conquests and growing number of converts to Islam, it sparked many different Hindu responses. - Much of the people who moved to India had become Hindu or Buddhist, found their place in the caste system, and adopted their culture. -However, when the Muslims came in the last years of the 7th century, it threatened India’s civilization because they were just as sophisticated as them and they carried with them a very different religion to that of Hinduism. - Hinduism was open and tolerant of varying forms of religious devotion, from idol worship to meditation in search of union with the spiritual source of all creation. Islam on the other hand, was doctrinaire and committed to the worship of only one god. -On the social aspect, Islam was mostly classless because they believed that everyone was equal under the eyes of God, but in contrast, Hinduism followed a strict caste system. - There was a lot of violence between Muslim invaders and the indigenous people, which was unavoidable. However, there was a lot of trade and religious interchange between them. - The first Muslim invasion was in 711 C.E. It was caused by an attack by pirates sailing from Sind in western India on ships owned by some Arab traders. -Arab general, **Muhammad ibn Qasim**, (a 17 year-old), led an army of 10,000 warriors into Sind for revenge. - They were victorious and Muhammad ibn Qasim declared the region and the Indus Valley. - Most people were not fazed by the conquers because they promised lighter taxing and more religious tolerance. - Arab overlords referred to both Hindus and Buddhists as “people of the book.” - Most of the areas conquered in India remained overwhelmingly Hindu or Buddhist. - Indian learning was transmitted to the Muslim heartlands in the Middle East. -The works on algebra and geometry were translated into Arabic and their tools for celestial observation were copied and improved by Arab astronomers. - Arab thinkers were now using the numerals that Hindu scholars had devised. - Indian ideas on subjects such as music and medicine were also transferred over to the Middle East to be studied by Arab scholars. - Indian doctors moved to Baghdad to run good and healthy hospitals. - Some Arabs had even adopted the Indian’s culture, which ranged from dressing and eating like Indians. - A new series of military invasions, launched by a Turkish slave dynasty that in 962 has seized power in Afghanistan to the north of the Indus Valley. - **Mahmud of Ghazni**, (third ruler of the dynasty) led a series of quests that started the Muslim raid and conquest in northern India. - Mahmud constantly raided northwest India to spread the Muslim faith in the early decades of the 11th century. - **Muhammad of Ghur** brought the Indus valley and much of north central India under his control. His conquests were then extended as far as Bengal and into west and central India. - The next to take control after Muhammad was assassinated was **Qutb-ud-din Aibak**, one of Muhammad’s slave lieutenants. - The main carriers of the Islamic faith were the merchants, who played a growing role in both coastal and inland trade. -Sufi mystic’s mosques and schools became centers of regional political power. -Sufis organized a military to protect them from bandits or rival princes. -Most Indians who converted to Islam were from Buddhist or low-caste groups. Buddhists made up most of the Indians who converted to Islam, but the untouchables were also interested in the egalitarian social arrangements. -However some conversions were made to avoid the tax posed on unbelievers. - Hindus saw the Muslim invaders as polluting outcastes. - Separate living quarters were established throughout Muslim communities everywhere. -Muslim communities became socially divided along caste lines. Muslims generally were at the top of the hierarchies, then high-caste converts came next, followed by “clean” artisan and merchant groups, lower-caste and untouchables stayed at the bottom. -Adopted the tradition of marrying women at the earlier ages, which was favored by Hindus. -Some performed ritual called sati, the burning of widows on the same funeral pyres as their deceased husbands. - **Bhaktic cults** à Hindu groups dedicated to gods and goddesses, open to all women and the untouchables. - Mira Bai was a famous and celebrated writer of religious poetry and songs of worship. - Kabir was a Muslim mystic (also a mystic), played down the significance of religious differences and proclaimed that all could provide a path to spiritual fulfillment. - Bhakti mystics and gurus stressed the importance of a strong emotional bond between the devotee and the god and goddess who was the object of veneration. - Religious experts (Muslim ulama) grew increasingly aware of the dangers Hinduism posed for Islam. - Refused to combine the two faiths together. - After centuries of invasion and migration, a large Muslim community had been established in the Indian subcontinent. - Converts had been won, political control had been established, and strong links had connected Muslims with Persia and Afghanistan. -However, non-Muslims and Hindus still dominated the area. Asia remained one of the least converted and integrated of all the areas Muhammad’s message had reached.
 * __ The Coming of Islam to South Asia __**
 * __ Political Divisions and the First Muslim Invasions __**
 * __ Indian Influences on Islamic Civilization __**
 * __ From Booty to Empire: The Second Wave of Muslim Invasions __**
 * __ Patterns of Conversion __**
 * __ Patterns of Accommodation __**
 * __ Islamic Challenge and Hindu Revival __**
 * __ Stand-Off:The Muslim Presence in India at the End of the Sultanate Period __**

Islam Trade Notes
Explain how the expansions of Islam created a global (minus Americas) trading network. Make specific references to trading zones/cities/ ideals/methods of spread technology. When Islam spread to Africa, especially along the Swahili coast, there were major trading routes that developed, mainly maritime trade. Within African states, merchants or also known as **juulas**, spread ideas within the states. They passed their ideas and technologies and cultural beliefs between one another. Maritime trade was also a major factor when dealing with Europe and the Middle East and North Africa. The Mediterranean Sea played a huge role in transporting goods within each of these areas. The Silk road was also an important trade route when dealing with Asia. They transported goods from China to the Middle East. The major trading center of the Middle East was **Baghdad capital of the Abbasid empire**, located in present day Iraq. The Arabs, because they were located in the center of the India ports and African ports, received the bulk of the cultrual ideas, because they were flowing in from two directions. Ideas of equality between men and women. Venice becomes more involved in trading. Dhows were a key piece of technology along the Indian Ocean. Merchants brought Islam to Southeast Asia. Pilgramage to Mecca leads to trade.