10.2 Islam Expands
In spite of internal
conflicts, the
Muslims create a
huge empire that
includes land on
three continents.
Vocabulary
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Caliph Highest political and religious
leader in a Muslim government
Umayyads Dynasty that ruled the
Muslim Empire from A.D. 661 to 750
Sunni Branch of Islam whose
members believe the first four
caliphs are the rightful successors of
Muhammad
Shi’a Branch of Islam whose
members believe Ali and his
descendants are the rightful
successors of Muhammad
Vocabulary
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Sufi Muslim who tries to achieve
direct contact with God
Abbasids Dynasty that ruled much
of the Muslim Empire from A.D. 750
to 1258
al-Andalus Muslim-ruled area in
what is now Spain
Fatimid Member of a Muslim
dynasty that traced its ancestry to
Muhammad’s daughter Fatima
Muhammad’s Successors Spread Islam
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A New Leader
• In 632 Muhammad dies; Muslims elect
Abu-Bakr to be the first caliph.
• Caliph—title for a Muslim leader—means
“successor” or “deputy.
Muhammad’s Successors Spread Islam
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“Rightly Guided” Caliphs
• The first four caliphs are guided by the
Qur’an and Muhammad’s actions.
• Jihad—an armed struggle against
unbelievers—is used to expand Islam.
• Muslims control all of Arabia, and
armies conquer Syria and lower Egypt.
• By 750, the Muslim empire stretches
from the Altantic Ocean to the Indus
River.
Muhammad’s Successors Spread Islam
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Reasons for Success
• Muslim armies are well disciplined and
expertly commanded.
• Byzantine and Sassanid empires are
weak from previous conflict.
• Persecuted citizens of these empires
welcome Islam.
• People are attracted to Islam’s offer of
equality and hope.
Muhammad’s Successors Spread Islam
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Treatment of Conquered Peoples
• Muslim invaders tolerate other religions.
• Christians and Jews receive special
consideration as “people of the book.”
From 632 to
750, highly
mobile troops
mounted on
camels were
successful in
conquering lands
in the name of
Allah.
Internal Conflict Creates a Crisis
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Rise of the Umayyads
• Struggles for power end the elective
system of choosing a caliph
• A wealthy family, the Umayyads, take
power and move the capital to
Damascus.
Internal Conflict Creates a Crisis
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Sunni—Shi’a Split
• Shi’a— “party” of Ali—believe the caliph
should be a descendant of Muhammad.
• Sunni—followers of Muhammad’s
example—supported the Umayyads.
• Sufi followers pursue life of poverty and
spirituality. They reject the Umayyads.
• In 750, a rebel group—the Abbasids—
topple the Umayyads.
Control Extends Over Three-Continents
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Fall of the Umayyads
• Abbasids murder Umayyad family; one
prince escapes, Abd al-Rahman
• He flees to Spain and establishes the
Umayyad caliphate in al-Andalus.
• al-Andalus is a Muslim state in southern
Spain settled by North Africans.
Control Extends Over Three-Continents
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Abbasids Consolidate Power
• In 762, Abbasids move Muslim capital
from Damascus to Bagdad.
• Location provides access to trade goods,
gold, and information.
• Abbasids develop a strong bureaucracy
to manage empire.
Control Extends Over Three-Continents
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Rival Groups Divide Muslim Lands
• Independent Muslim states spring up;
Shi’a Muslims form new caliphate
• Fatimid caliphate—claim descent from
Fatima, daughter of Muhammad.
• The Fatimid caliphate begins in North
Africa and spreads to the Red Sea,
western Arabia, and Syria.
Control Extends Over Three-Continents
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Muslim Trade Network
• Muslims trade by land and sea with Asia
and Europe
• Muslim merchants use Arabic, single
currency, and checks.
• Cordoba, in al-Andalus, is a dazzling
center of Muslim cutlure.