Name______Global Studies 1R

Study Guide #28 The Expansion of Islam The Caliphate. Muhammad died in 632, setting off a crisis in the Islamic world. No one knew who would take Muhammad‟s place as leader. In addition, some of the desert tribes began to abandon Islam. The search for a new leader caused conflicts, but eventually a group chose Abu Bakr, Muhammad‟s old friend. Abu Bakr was not a prophet, like Muhammad. He and all those who came after him were known as caliphs, or “successors.” After Abu Bakr became caliph, he used force to bring the desert tribes back into the Muslim fold.

Islamic Expansion. Abu Bakr died shortly after being chosen caliph. He picked „Umar, another old friend of Muhammad, to lead the Islamic world. „Umar oversaw a great expansion of Islam. Other regional empires, such as the Byzantine and the Persian, were declining, creating room for Muslim influence. „Umar also instituted a new policy to build his armies. When people enlisted, they received a share of their community‟s wealth. Over the course of ten years, the Muslims built a huge empire.

Divisions Within Islam. In 644 „Umar was murdered, and a group chose „Uthman as the new caliph. „Uthman was a member of the Umayyad clan, which had bitterly opposed Muhammad. His election as caliph greatly increased the tension among the Muslim leadership. After a group of rebels killed „Uthman in 656, „Ali became caliph. The Umayyads promptly challenged his rule. Mu‟awiya, „Uthman‟s cousin, claimed the position of caliph for himself. „Ali and Mu‟awiya fought until an assassin killed „Ali. Then Mu‟awiya and the Umayyad dynasty took control of the Muslim Empire. Most Muslims accepted Mu‟awiya‟s rule, even if they were reluctant to do so. These Muslims were called Sunnis. Some Muslims, however, said that only „Ali‟s descendants should rule. These Muslims were called Shi’ah. The Shi‟ah Muslims looked to the imam, or „Ali‟s descendants, to interpret the Qur‟an.

The Umayyad Dynasty. The Umayyads moved the capital of the Muslim Empire to Damascus to be closer to the Arab tribes who supported them. The Umayyads also began an ambitious policy of expansion. They eventually reached France but withdrew to Spain. Over time, the Umayyad dynasty declined. The Umayyads made non-Arab converts serve as clients to Arab tribes. This second-class status caused resentment, and after a revolt the Abbasid dynasty came to power in 750.

The Abbasid Caliphate. The Abbasids moved their capital to Baghdad, where they adopted many Persian cultural elements. Eventually, the “Arab” style of Islam declined and the religion became more universal. The Abbasid dynasty gradually fell due to internal conflict and civil war.

Answer the questions below in your own words and in complete sentence. Highlight your evidence. Also read pages 250-255 in your textbook

1. What problems did Muhammad‟s death cause, and how were they solved? ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

2. Why were the Muslims able to expand and create an empire? ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

3. How long did „Uthman remain as caliph? ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

4. Why did the split in Islam come about? ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

5. What caused the decline of the Umayyad dynasty? ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

6. How did Islam become a “universal” religion? ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––