Origins and Expansion of Islam: 7th-13th Centuries
Origins of the Islamic Religion
Religion: Monotheism arising from the Judeo-Christian tradition.
Where: The Arabian Peninsula, populated by nomadic tribes. Agriculture and ranching were practiced, with some trade supporting the economy in times of crisis. The region prospered thanks to trade routes, allowing for the growth of cities like Mecca.
When: In the early 7th century.
Who: Muhammad, born in Mecca in 570. A camel driver who married a wealthy widow and caravan owner. He experienced a great crisis in his life, during which he claimed to hear messages and have visions. He considered himself sent from God (Allah). Initially, his message was met with hostility in Mecca, forcing him to flee to Medina in 622. This event, the Hegira, marks year 0 of the Muslim era.
Muhammad became the head of the Ummah, a community based not on family or tribe, but solely on religion. In 630, Muhammad returned to Mecca, which became a place of pilgrimage. Muhammad died in 632.
Core Beliefs and Practices
Five Pillars of Islam:
- Belief in Allah as the only God and Muhammad as his prophet.
- Prayer five times a day, facing Mecca.
- Fasting during Ramadan.
- Almsgiving (charity).
- Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime (if able).
Other Duties and Considerations:
- Abstaining from pork.
- Abstaining from alcohol.
- Abstaining from gambling.
- Contributing to the expansion of Islam.
- Islam acknowledges the Old Testament and considers Jesus Christ a prophet.
- Islamic rites and worship are simplified compared to Christianity.
- The religious book is the Quran, written in Arabic.
- The Sunnah contains the sayings and teachings of the Prophet.
The Expansion of Islam
A) The Division of Islam
Muhammad died without a designated heir. His father-in-law, Abu Bakr, was elected as Caliph (successor). However, there was no agreement on whether the position should be hereditary or elective. Later, Caliph Atman (661) was replaced by the Umayyad dynasty, founded by Muawiyah. This established hereditary succession within the same family. The Umayyads ruled until 750 and were recognized by the majority of Muslims, known as Sunnis.
Muawiyah’s rise to power resulted in the death of some Muslims who supported Hussein, a grandson of Muhammad, for the Caliphate. This led to a civil war and the schism of the Muslim community. The Sunnis, the majority, formed one branch, while the Shia, a minority, formed a new branch.
B) Rapid Expansion
Islam expanded rapidly throughout the 7th and 8th centuries, supported by military force and trade. The early Muslims conquered territories from the Byzantine Empire, including Syria, Palestine, and North Africa. They then conquered the Persian Empire and expanded further into Asia. They crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and began the occupation of the Iberian Peninsula. They also clashed with a large Chinese army. However, they were stopped in Constantinople in 673 and 717.
Circumstances contributing to the expansion:
- The weakness of the Byzantine Empire.
- Upset farmers.
- The spoils of war.
- Religious tolerance towards conquered peoples in exchange for tribute.
C) The Organization of Islam
The Quran regulates both religious and political life. The Caliph held both political and religious authority. The Umayyads moved the capital to Damascus (661-750), creating a centralized empire united by faith. The Abbasids later moved the capital to Baghdad (750-1252). The Caliphs gradually became more detached, leaving the administration of the people to the Ulema (religious scholars).
From the 9th century, Islam expanded across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
From the 10th century, Islam fragmented into independent caliphates that fought one another: the Fatimids in Egypt, the Seljuk Turks in Iran, and the Almoravids and Almohads in North Africa. The Abbasid Caliphate fell in the 13th century to the Mongols.