THE MUSLIM
CALIPHATE
Ms. Carmelitano
Bell Ringer
• Read the following quote and then answer the question:
• “In the name of Allah, the compassionate, the merciful, this is what
Khalid ibn al Walid would grant to the inhabitants of Damascus (A
city in the Muslim Empire)… He promises to give them security for
their lives, property, and churches. Their city shall not be
demolished, neither shall any Muslim be quartered in their houses.
Thereunto we give to them the pact of Allah and the protection of
His Prophet, the Caliphs and the believers. So long as they pay the
tax, nothing but good shall befall them.”
•
- Khalid ibn al-Walid (chief general during the Muslim Empire)
• Question:
• 1) Who is this quote directed at?
• 2) What does this quote tell you about how Muslim Caliphs (rulers)
treated their subjects?
• 3) Do you think this characteristic will lead to the success or failure of
the Islamic Empire? Why?
The First Caliph
• Muhammad died in 632 CE
• He did not leave a successor
• The Muslim community elected Abu-Bakr, a friend of Muhammad,
to be the first Caliph
• Caliph means deputy
• The ruler of the clan
Caliph Successors
• “Rightly-Guided Caliphs”
• The first four Caliphs
• Abu-Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali
• Expanded the Muslim State through conquest and trade
• Jihad
• As tribes began splitting from the caliphate, they invoked jihad meaning “striving”
• This can refer to an inner struggle against evil or an armed struggle
against unbelievers
Reasons for Success
• 1) The Muslim state had well disciplined armies
• 2) Weakness of other empires north of Arabia
• Such as: Byzantine Empire and Sassanid Empire
• 3) Byzantine and Sassanid rulers persecuted those who
did not practice Christianity or Zoroastrianism
• The Muslim Empire offered religious tolerance
Treatment of Conquered People
• Religious toleration
• Qur'an forbade forced conversion
• Christians and Jews, “people of the book,” paid a religious tax each
year but did not have to be apart of the military
• Christians and Jews could be officials, scholars, and
bureaucrats
He promises to give them security for their lives,
property, and churches. Their city shall not be
demolished, neither shall any Muslim be quartered in
their houses. Thereunto we give to them the pact of
Allah and the protection of His Prophet, the Caliphs
and the believers. So long as they pay the tax,
nothing but good shall befall them.”
Internal Conflict
• 656 CE: A civil war began after Uthman was murdered
• Differing Opinions:
• One faction believed that Ali, Muhammad's son-in law should be
the successor
• Due to blood relation
• The other faction believed that Mu’awiya, the governor of Syria
should be the successor
• Due to popular election
• 661 CE – Ali was murdered
The Umayyad Caliphate (661 CE – 750
CE)
• The Umayyad family had supported Mu’awiya
• After Ali’s death, the Umayyad family came to power
• Issued coins and hired Byzantine and Persian Officials
• Made Arabic the official language
• Moved the Muslim capital to Damascus
• Away from Mecca
• Arab Muslims felt this capital was too far way
• Umayyad family began to surround themselves with wealth and
luxuries leading to a division
Battle of Tours
• 732 CE
• The Muslim empire expanded throughout Europe
• Muslim armies had been successful in Syria, Egypt, and North
Africa
• The Battle of Tours:
• Abd-al Rahman lead the military to Tours in France
• They were defeated by Charles Martel and the Frankish Army
• The Muslim expansion to Western Europe was ended
The Abbasid Caliphate (750 CE – 1258
CE)
• Religious and political opposition lead to the end of the
Umayyad family
• Rebel groups over threw them in 750 CE
• The Abbasid Family took control of the empire in 750 CE
• In 1258 CE, the Mongols destroyed Baghdad and ended
the Islamic Empire
The Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258)
• Moved the capital to Baghdad in Iraq in 762 CE
• Location was central for trade of gold, goods, and information
• Abbasid government
• Created:
• A Treasury and banks
• Credit: Sakks
• Coined Money: Dinar
• Department of Defense
• Sent Diplomats to Europe, Africa, and Asia for business
• A tax agency to collect taxes
The Berbers
• The remaining Umayyad family was murdered
• Prince Abd –al Rahman escaped to Spain, where he established
an independent Muslim state in al-Andalus (Northern Spain)
• The Berbers
Religious Split
• A minority of Muslims resisted the Umayyad Caliphate –
Shi’a Muslims
• Supported Ali
• Believed the caliph should be a descendent of Muhammad
• Members are called Shi’ites
• Those who did not resist the Umayyad family were called
Sunni Muslims
• Believed the caliph should be elected
• Sufi – Lived a simple, mystical life
• Lived life in poverty and devotion to prayer
• Became Muslim mystics who meditate, fast, and preform rituals to
commune with God