World History 1
The Muslim Empire
Islam (4.2.1) Identify and explain the origins and expansion of Islam and the creation of the Islamic Empire
including the geographic extent of Muslim empires, the Sunn-Shi’ite schism, the scientific and technological
achievements of Muslim society, and the role of the Caliphate as both a religious and political institution.
Intro Questions
2. Notes
3. Read Chapter 6 Section 1 on pages 191-194
4. GRA 6-1
1.
Intro Questions
True or False
1______ Before Islam, most Arabs were polytheistic
2._____ Muhammad believed that Jesus and Moses
revealed truths about Allah
3._____ Sheikhs were selected by tribesmen
4._____ According to Islam, Allah spoke to Muhammad
through the angel Gabriel
5._____ Muhammad was a purely religious leader
Intro Questions
True or False
1. True Before Islam, most Arabs were polytheistic
2. True Muhammad believed that Jesus and Moses
revealed truths about Allah
3. False Sheikhs were selected by tribesmen by a council
of elders
4. True According to Islam, Allah spoke to Muhammad
through the angle Gabriel
5. False Muhammad was a purely religious and political
leader
The Rise of Islam
I. The Arabs
A. Like the Hebrews and
Assyrians the Arabs were
a Semitic-speaking
people that lived on the
Arabian Peninsula, a
desert land lacking in
lakes rivers and nomads
The Arabs were nomads
who moved constantly
to find food and water
for themselves and their
animals
B. Survival in this
area of the world
was difficult and
the Arabs
organized into
tribes to help one
another . Each
tribe was ruled by a
SHEIKH who was
selected from one
of the leading
families or a
council of elders
C. Early on the Arabs
were polytheistic,
believing in many
gods. The Arabs
trace their ancestors
to Abraham who is
believed to have
built a house of
worship in Mecca
(Makkah) called the
Kaaba
C. The
domestication of
the camel in 1000
BC led to the
expansion of the
Arabs throughout
the region. The
Arabs developed
trade by using
caravans and
developed towns
along the Silk Road
II. The Life of Muhammad
A. Muhammad was born
in a merchant family in
Makkah. He was
orphaned early . He
became a caravan
manager and married
his employer a rich
widow , Khadija ,
B. Although he was
wealthy , successful ,
he became trouble by
the growing gap in his
society between Rich
and Poor.
C. He went to mediate in
the mountains. While
there he believed the
angel Gabriel revealed
messages from God
D. He came to believe that
Allah ( God) had
revealed himself to
Moses and Jesus, but
the final revelations
where made to him
E. The Quran contains the
revelations to
Muhammad . The
Quran contains the
ethnical guidelines of
Islam ( the faith ) to
Muslims ( followers),
1. Islam means “
submission to the will of
God”
2. Muslims means “
those that submit “
F. Muhammad set out to
convince people that his
The city of Madinah ( Medina )
revelations were true,
but he had only 30
followers after 3 years .
G. Fearing death,
Muhammad and his
followers went to the
city of Madinah . This
journey is called the
Hijrah in 622 ( year 1 of
the Muslim calendar)
H. In 630, Muhammad
returned to Makkah with
ten thousand soldiers.
The City surrendered
and most converted to
Islam
I. Muhammad destroyed
idols and declared the
Kaaba , a sacred shrine
of Islam
J. Muhammad died in 632
The Tomb of Mohammad
III. The Teachings
of Muhammad
A. Like Christianity
and Judaism, Islam
is monotheistic
(believing in 1 god)
B. Allah is the all
powerful being that
created the
universe and
everything in it
C. Islam emphasizes
salvation and offers
the hope of an
afterlife
On the Saudi Arabian Flag it is
says
“ there is no God, but God and
Muhammad is his prophet “
D. Muslims are
instructed to follow the
Five Pillars of Islam
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Belief – That there is
one God and
Muhammad is his
messenger
Prayer – Five times a
day
Charity – Giving to
the poor
Fasting – No food or
drink during
Ramadan
Pilgrimage – Make
at least 1 trip to
Mecca
E. Muslims developed a code
known as SHARI’AH
1. A set of laws to regulate daily
life
a. Family
b. Business
c. Government
d. Moral Conduct
2.Muslims may also not
a. gamble
b. eat pork
c. drink alcohol
d. Be dishonest
3.Shari’ah does not separate
religious law from political
law
World History 1
The Muslim Empire
Islam (4.2.1) Identify and explain the origins and expansion of Islam and the creation of the Islamic Empire
including the geographic extent of Muslim empires, the Sunn-Shi’ite schism, the scientific and technological
achievements of Muslim society, and the role of the Caliphate as both a religious and political institution.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Intro Questions
Notes
Check GRA 6-1
Quiz on Chapter 6-1 on pages 191-194
Read Chapter 6 Section 2
GRA 6-2
Intro Questions
True or False
1. ______ Muslims believe in many gods, the most
powerful is Allah
2. ______ Muslims believe that salvation ( going to
Heaven ) is possible
3. ______ One of the five Pillars of Islam is not eating Pork
4. _____ SHARI’AH is the leader of a Muslim Community
5. _____ Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet
Intro Questions
True or False
1. False Muslims believe in many gods, the most powerful
is Allah only one God , Allah
2. True Muslims believe that salvation ( going to Heaven )
is possible
3. False One of the five Pillars of Islam is not eating Pork
4. False SHARI’AH is the leader of a Muslim Community
is Islamic law
5. True Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet, but not
the Savior or the Christ
I. Creation of an Arab Empire
A. Muhammad’s death left his
followers with a problem of
succession. He had no sons
and his daughters could not
led in male dominated
society . Some of
Muhammad's closest
followers chose Abu Bakr,
Muhammad’s father in law.
He was named Caliph
(successor too Muhammad)
B. Islam grew under
Abu Bakr . To spread
the movement Abu
Bakr took part in
Jihad ( struggle in the
way of God)
1. by 650 Syria and the
Persian empire were
part of the Arab
empire
C. The Arabs were fierce
fighters led by brilliant
Generals . Military
courage was enhanced by
the Belief that a warrior
killed in battle was
assured a place in
paradise
D. The first two caliphs to
rule after Abu Bakr’s
death were assassinated.
In 656 Muhammad’s son
in law , Ali, became
caliph. He was
assassinated after 5 years
E. Arab
Administrators were
tolerant in their
conquered
territories . No one
was forced to
convert to Islam,
but non Muslims
had to pay a special
tax and had to vow
not to rebel against
Muslim rule
II. The Umayyads
A. In 661, the General
Mu’awiyah became
Caliph.
1. He used forced only
when necessary
2. He made the title of
Caliph heredity
3. He moved the capital to
Damascus, Syria
The Rock of the dome built by the
Umayyad Caliphate
B. In the 8th Century , Arabs
conquered and converted
the Berbers of Northern
Africa.
1. A combine Army of Arabs
and Berbers attacked ( in
710) and conquered ( in
725) Spain
2. In 732, the Muslims lost
the Battle of Tours and
failed to Conquer France
3. In 717, Muslims attacked
Constantinople but their
navy was defeated
C. Internal struggles
threatened the Stability
of the Empire. Revolts
broke out, the most
important was led by
Hussein , second son of
Ali. In 680, he battled
Umayyad rule
1. He had 72 warriors
against 10,000 Umayyad
soldiers . He lost
D. This struggle caused a
permanent split in Islam
1. Shiite - followers of
the descendants of Ali
2. Sunni – followers of
the Umayyad dynasty.
3. Most Muslims are
Sunni, but Shiites are
in large numbers in
Iran and Iraq
III. The Abbasid Dynasty
A. Because of Favoritism
toward Arabs and
Umayyad corruption ,
resentment against
Umayyad rule grew. In
750, Abu al-Abbas
overthrew the Umayyad
dynasty and founded the
Abbasid dynasty which
lasted until 1258
B. In 762, the Abbasids built
a new capital at Baghdad
on the Tigris River. This
location took advantage of
the river and caravan trade
routes. The move gave the
empire a new cultural
outlook;
1. Judges, merchants and
government officials
were the heroes, ( not
warriors)
2. All Muslims ( not just
Arabs ) could hold
military and political
office
C. the reign of Harun alRashid was considered
their golden Age. He
was known for his
charity and patronage of
the arts. His son alMa’mun supported
astronomical
investigations and
created a foundation for
translating Greek works
into Arabic
1. Baghdad became a
center of a huge trading
empire.
D. The Decline of the
Abbasid dynasty began
when Harun al-Rushid’s
two sons destroyed much
of Baghdad in fight of
succession.
1. Wealth led to corruption
2. Persians and Turks began
to moved away from the
Empire.
3. Spain established it own
Caliphate
4. Egypt established a
caliphate and set it
capital in Cairo
Answers GRA 6-1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What language did the Arabs speak and where did they ? Arabs
were semitic speaking people in the Arabian peninsula
How were Arabian tribes rule and how were the rulers selected
?Each tribe was ruled by a shiekd who was chosen formone of
the leading families by a council of elders
What accomplishment made it possible for the Arabs to begin
to take part ion the caravan trade ? The Camel
What object became the principal object of worship among the
Arabs? All tribes worshipped a black meteorite placed in the
Kaaba in the city of Makkah
As Muhammad grew to manhood , what did he find troubling
within his culture ? He becaem troubled by the Gap between
the simple Bedouins and the greediness of the trading elites
What do Muslims believe was given to Muhammad while he
mediated alone in the hills ? Muslims believe Muahmmad
received revelations from God through the angel Gabriel
Answers to GRA 6-1 cont.
7. What written document resulted from Muhammad's
revelations from Allah ? The Quran
8. Define Hijrah . The Hijrah was the journey of Muhammad
and his followers to the city of Madinah
9. What are three similarities between Islam, Christianity and
Judaism ? A. Monotheism ( one god), B. Salvation C. the
necessity of submitting to the will of God
10. What is the difference between Islam and Christianity?
Muslims do not believe that Jesus was the savior
11. Name the five Pillars of Islam.
1. Belief 2. Prayer 3. giving to the poor (alms ) 4. Fasting 5.
hajj ( trip to Makkah )
World History 1
The Muslim Empire
Islam (4.2.1) Identify and explain the origins and expansion of Islam and the creation of the Islamic Empire
including the geographic extent of Muslim empires, the Sunn-Shi’ite schism, the scientific and technological
achievements of Muslim society, and the role of the Caliphate as both a religious and political institution.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Intro Questions
Notes
Check GRA 6-2
Quiz Chapter 6 Section 2on pages 191-194
Read Chapter 6 Section 3 on pages
GRA 6- 3
Intro Questions
True or False
1. ___ from the 8th Century on, the three most
important Muslim cities were Makkah, Medinah ,
and Tehran
2. ___ a Bazaar was a covered marketplace that a vital
part of every Muslim city
3. ___ Most people of the Arab Empire were
merchants and they largely lived in cities
4. ___ Slavery was forbidden by the Quran
5. ____ the Quran granted women spiritual equality
with men
Intro Questions
True or False
1. False from the 8th Century on, the three most
important Muslim cities were Makkah, Medinah , and
Tehran Cairo , Baghdad and Damascus
2. True a Bazaar was a covered marketplace that a vital
part of every Muslim city
3. False Most people of the Arab Empire were merchants
and they largely lived in cities Farmers and Herders
4. False Slavery was forbidden by the Quran Slavery was
widespread in the Empire, but Muslims could not enslave
other Muslims
5. True the Quran granted women spiritual equality with
men , but women could not won or inherit property
I. Prosperity in the Islamic
World
A. The period of the Arab
empire generally was
prosperous Much of it
was based on the
extensive trade by ship
and camel. Camel
Caravans went from
Morocco to countries
beyond the Caspian
Sea
B. Trade began to prosper
around 750 under the
Abbasid Dynasty .
1.Gold and Slaves came from
south of the Sahara,
2. gold and ivory from East
Africa ,
3.India contributed
sandalwood, spices, and
textiles.
4.China contributed silk and
porcelain .
5. Egypt provided grain
6. Iraq produced linens, dates
and jewels,.
Banking and coinage developed
which made exchanges easier
C. Large magnificent cities
came to prominence ,
Baghdad under the
Abbasids and Cairo under
the Fatimids. These and
Damascus were
administrative , Cultural
and economic centers of
the region, Islamic cities
generally surpassed the
cities of the ;largely rural
Europe of the time . The
Islamic city of Cordoba in
Spain was Europe’s greatest
city after Constantinople
 D. Islamic cities had their
own physical appearance .
The palaces and mosques
were the most impressive
buildings . They had
public buildings with
fountains, public baths,
and marketplaces ( bazaars
). The Bazaar ( covered
market) was a vital part of
every Muslim city or town.
Inspectors guaranteed the
quality of goods. Bazaar
also had craftspeople and
offered services such as
laundries
E. Although the Arab
Empire was urban for its
time, most people
farmed or herded. Early
in the empire, free
peasants owned most of
the farmland. The
wealthy landowners
amassed large estates in
certain areas of the
empire. The free
peasant farmers along
the Nile farmed the way
their ancestors had
II. Islamic Society
A. Muslims live their lives in
accordance with Allah’s
teachings as revealed in
the Quran, which was
completed in 635
B. Islam claims that all
people are equal in the
eyes of Allah. Such was
not always the case in the
Arab Empire, however.
For example, it had a well
defined upper class of
ruling families , wealthy
merchants ad other elites
C. One group clearly not
considered equal was
slaves. Slavery was
widespread in the Arab
empire. Because Muslims
could not be slaves, most
of the slaves came from
Africa or Asia. Many were
captives of war. Slaves
often served as soldiers.
Many of these were
eventually freed and some
exercised power. Women
slaves were often domestic
servants. Islamic law said
to treat slaves fairly, and
setting slaves free was
considered a good act
D. The Quran granted
women spiritual and
social equality with men
and women could not
own and inherit
property. Nevertheless.
Men dominated in the
Arab Empire, Every
women had a male
guardian. Women were
secluded at home and
kept from social contacts
with men outside their
families
E. Parents or Guardians
arranged marriages fore their
children. Muslim men could
have up to four wives. But
most had fewer because of
having to pay a dowry to the
brides. Only the wealthy
could afford multiple dowries
. Although women had a
right to divorce, in practice
the right was extended only
to men . Women covered
much of their bodies when
appearing in public , a
custom that continues in
many Islamic societies today.
This custom however, owes
more to traditional Arab
practice than to the Quran
F. Despite these
restrictions , the position
of women in Islamic
society was an
improvement over earlier
times when women had
often been treated like
slaves
Answers to GRA 6-2
False 1. Muhammad left clear instructions as to who would succeed him at death
Muhammad had never named a successor and had no living sons
True 2. Raiding one’s enemies was known in the Quran as the “struggle in the way
of God “ or jihad
False 3. the courage of the Arab soldiers was enhanced by the fact that they had
superior weapons to most of their enemies
Their courage was enhanced by the belief in salvation
False 4. The General Mu’awiyah was known for one outstanding trait he used
more force than necessary whether it was needed or not
He was known for only using force when absolutely necessary
True 5. Mu’awiyah moved the capital of the Arab empire from Madinah to
Damascus
False 6. Arab Expansion in Europe came to a halt because of Geographical barriers
that stood in the way of advancing Arab armies
Arab Expansion was halted at the Battle of Tours
True 7. The Shiite Muslims accept only the Descendants of Ali as the True leader
of Islam, while the Sunni Muslims claim the descendants of the Umayyads
were the true caliphs
True 8. in 1187 Saladin’s Army invaded the kingdom of Jerusalem and destroyed
Christian forces there
True 9. As a result of the Mongol Destruction of Baghdad , the new center of
Islamic civilization became Cairo, Egypt
World History 1
The Muslim Empire
Islam (4.2.1) Identify and explain the origins and expansion of Islam and the creation of the Islamic Empire
including the geographic extent of Muslim empires, the Sunn-Shi’ite schism, the scientific and technological
achievements of Muslim society, and the role of the Caliphate as both a religious and political institution.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Intro Questions
Notes
Check GRA 6-3
Quiz Chapter 6 Section 3 on pages 191-194
Read Chapter 6 Section 4 on pages
GRA 6- 4
Intro Questions
True or False
1_____ Arabs did not value the work of ancient Greeks,
because they were not Muslims
2. ___ Arabic Numbers (example 1, 2, 3 ) were invented
by the Arabs
3.____ Medical encyclopedias created by the Arabs were
used in European Medical schools
4.____ Arabs consider the Rubaiyat to be it greatest
Arab literary work
5.____ There are many images and paintings of
Muhammad
Intro Questions
True or False
1. False Arabs did not value the work of ancient Greeks,
because they were not Muslims. Translated much of
the ancient Greek writings into Arabic
2. False Arabic Numbers (example 1, 2, 3 ) were
invented by the Arabs Indians
3. True Medical encyclopedias created by the Arabs
were used in European Medical schools
4. False Arabs consider the Rubaiyat the Quran to be it
greatest Arab literary work
5. False There are many no images and paintings of
Muhammad
I. Preservation of Knowledge and Philosophy , Science and History
A. During the first few
centuries of the Arab
Empire, Arab scholars
read and translated
into Arabic works by
Plato and Aristotle .
The translations were
put into a library in
Baghdad called the
House of Wisdom.
Mathematics text were
brought from India
B. Papermaking was
introduced from
China, which aided
this Arabs in
translating and
storing Greek and
Roman writings.
Paper factories were
established in
Baghdad.
Booksellers and
libraries followed
C. Europeans recovered
the works of Aristotle
and the Greek
philosophers thought
the Muslim world. When
Aristotle ‘s work made it
to Europe, they were
accompanied by brilliant
commentaries by Arab
scholars. One of the
most important scholars
was Ibn-Rushd . Who
wrote commentaries on
almost all of Aristotle
Works
D. Islamic scholars also made
contributions to mathematics
and the natural sciences.
They gave shape to algebra
and passed on India’s
numerical systems known as
“Arabic ‘ in Europe. Baghdad
had an observatory where
scientists studied and named
many stars. Muslims also
perfected the Astrolabe , used
by sailors to determine their
location by observing the
position of stars and planets .
This instrument enabled
Europeans to sail to the
Americas
E. Muslims also developed
medicine as a field of
study . The famous
philosopher and scientist
Ibn Sina wrote a medical
encyclopedia and
showed how unsanitary
conditions could spread
contagious diseases.
His medical works,
translated into Latin,
were standard in
medieval European
universities
F. Arabic Scholars helped
European intellectual life
develop in the 12th and
13th centuries, laying the
basis for the Renaissance
G. In his Muqaddimah (
Introduction to History )
, the Muslim historian
Ibn-Khaldun argued that
history was cyclical ,
going through regular
cycles of birth, growth,
and decay. He tried to
understand the political
and social factors that
determine the changes
in history
II. Arab Literature
A. Muslims believed the Quran
was their greatest work of
literature , but pre-Islamic
forms continued to be used .
One of the most familiar
works of Middle eastern
literature is the Rubaiyat of
Omar Khayyam, who was a
poet, astronomer and
mathematician. He
composed his poems orally.
In his work he wondered
about the meaning of life
when life was so transitory
B. Another important work
of Arabic Literature is
the Arabian Nights also
called the 1001 Nights.. It
is a collection of
folktales, fables and
romances that combine
the natural and
supernatural . The
stories were first told
orally, and then written
down over many years,
the story of Aladdin was
added in the 18th Century
III Art and Architecture
A. Islamic art blends the
Arabic ,Turkish and
Persian traditions . It
highest expression is
found in the mosques
which represent Islam's
spirit
B. The Great Mosque of
Samarra was the world’s
largest mosque at the time
it was built. In present day
Iraq, it covers 10 acres. It
minaret is famous, the
Minaret is the tower from
which the crier or Muezzin
, calls the faithful to prayer
five times a day. The
Minaret of Samarra is
nearly 90 feet high with an
impressive unusual spiral
staircase
C. Palaces also reflected the
glory of Islam. They were
designed around the central
courtyard surrounded by
high arches and massive gate
towers . They also served as
fortresses. A gallery over the
entrance had holes for
pouring boiling oil on
attackers,. The feature
became part of European
castles The Alhambra in
Granada Spain is the fines
Islamic palace . Every inch
of its surface is decorated in
floral And abstract patterns,
some done in such detail
they look the lace
D. Most decorations on
Islamic Art are of
repeated Arabic , letters,
plants and abstract
figures. These geometric
patterns are called
Arabesques. They cover
an object’s surface
completely
E. No representation of
Muhammad is in any
Islamic Art. The hadith
an early collection of the
prophet’s sayings , warns
against imitating god,
by creating pictures of
living things, From
early on, therefore no
representation of a living
appears on Islamic
religious art
Answers to 6-3
For the most part, the period of the Arab empires was
(1) Prosperous . Trade was carried both by ship and by
(2) Camel caravans, which traveled from Morocco in the
far west to the countries beyond the Caspian sea. The
development of (3) Banking and the use of (4) coins
made it easier to exchange goods.
(5) Baghdad , (6) Cairo and (7) Damscus were centers
of Administrative cultural and economic activity for
their regions. Usually the most impressive urban
buildings were the (8) palaces for the caliphs and the
great (9) mosques for worship. Rules for the sale of
meat in the market stated, “Grilled meats shoud only be
made with (10) Fresh meat and not with meat coming
from a sick animal and bought for its cheapness
Answers to 6-3 cont.
To be a Muslims is not simple to worship Allah but
also to live one’s life according to Allah's teachings as
revealed in the (11) Quran . According to Islam, all
people are equal in the eyes of Allah except one ; (12)
Slaves were not considered equal. Slavery was (13)
widespread in the Islamic world.
The Quran granted women (14) spiritual and (15)
Social equality with men. Both had (16) duties and (17)
responsibilities. Most men had one wife because the
men were required to pay (18) a dowry to their bride.
Women had the right to freely enter into marriage, but
they also had the right of (19) divorce
World History 1
The Muslim Empire
Islam (4.2.1) Identify and explain the origins and expansion of Islam and the creation of the Islamic Empire
including the geographic extent of Muslim empires, the Sunn-Shi’ite schism, the scientific and technological
achievements of Muslim society, and the role of the Caliphate as both a religious and political institution.
Time Line
2. Check GRA 6-4
3. Quiz Chapter 6 Section 4 on pages
4. Begin Review for Test
1.
A.D. 570 Birth of
Muhammad
A.D. 610 Muhammad’s first
revelation
A.D. 622 Hirah to Yathrib
A.D. Muhammad returns
to Makkah
 A.D. 632 Muhammad
dies
A.D. 650 Arabs conquer
the Persian empire
A.D. 661 Umayyads
establish Islamic Empire
A.D. 680 Hussein revolts
against Umayyad Rule
 A.D. 732 Battle of Tours
A.D. 750 Defeat of the
Umayyad s, beginning
of the Abbasid Dynasty
 A.D.762 Abbasids move
their capital to Baghdad
A.D. 848-852 Great
Mosque of Samarra is
built
Answers to time line
 1. in A.D 762, Baghdad became the news capital for the









Abbasid Dynasty
2. Muhammad returned to Makkah in A.D. 630
3. the Battle of Tours took place in A.D. 732
4. What event took place exactly s century before the Battle
of Tours ? The Death of Muhammad
5. the Hijrah took place in A.D. 622
6. the Umayyad dynasty ended in A.D. 750
7. Muhammad had his first reveletion in A.D. 610
8. the Great Mosque of Samarra was built in A.d. 848- 852
9. the Persian Empire was conquered in A.d. 650
10. Hussein revolted against Umayyad rule in A.D. 680
Answers to 6-4
1.Arabs were not only aware of Greek Philosophy , they
were translating works by Plato and Aristotle into
Arabic
2. The Muslims adopted and passed on the Numerical
system of India, including the use of the zero.
3. They also perfected the Astrolabe , an instrument the
that made it possible foe Europeans to sail to the
Americas
4. Ibn-Khaldun , who lived in the fourteenth century,
was the most prominent Muslim Historian of the age
5. One of the most familiar works of the middle Eastern
Literature is the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
Answers to 6-4 cont.
6. The Great Mosque of Samarra in present-day Iraq was the
world’s largest mosque at the time it was built covering 10
acres
7. Because the Muslim religion combines spiritual and
political power in one, palaces also reflected the glory of
Islam
8. One feature of these places that looked like castles was a
gallery over the entrance gate with holes through which
Boiling oil could be poured down on the heads of
attacking forces
9. The finest example of the Islamic palace is the fourteenth
century Alhambra in Spain
10. No representation of the Prophet Muhammad ever
adorns a mosque in painting or in any other art form