Building an Islamic Empire
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Transcript of Building an Islamic Empire
Building an Islamic Empire
Muhammad’s Death
Huge problem once Muhammad died
No successor Abu Bakr
First caliph▪ Successor to
Muhammad
Abu Bakr
Loyalty amongst Arab tribes
Once fully united, series of military campaigns
Converted massive numbers of Arabs to Islam
Early Victories
First Four Caliphs Conquered the Middle East Byzantine Empire
Dome of the Rock
Oldest surviving Islamic building
Jerusalem Muslim teaching
Muhammad ascended to heaven from the rock inside this building
Divisions
Sunni Shiite Huge impact on history
Shiites
Felt son-in-law Ali should be successor of Muhammad
Successors should be kin of Muhammad
Sunni
Any good Muslim could lead the community
Successor is called a caliph Religious and political leader
Sunnis and Shiites
90% of Muslims are Sunni
Shiites lives in Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen
Other groups Sufis▪ Mystics who sought
communion with God through meditation, fasting, etc.
Umayyad
Umayyad caliphate Dynasty of Sunni caliphs that ruled until
750 Vastly expands empire
Conquered People
Muslim leaders imposed a special tax on non-Muslims
Tax supported troops
Conversion
Easy religion to convert to No hierarchy Simple and direct message