Glencoe World History © 2010

Chapter 6: The World of Islam

Chapter Overviews

The religion of Islam arose in the Arabian Peninsula and gave birth to an Arab empire and a rich civilization.

Section 1 The Rise of Islam
For centuries the Arabian Peninsula was inhabited by loosely connected tribes. The tribes were polytheistic, but they placed special emphasis on a supreme god named Allah. Muhammad, who grew up in Makkah, believed that he received revelations from god. Out of these revelations came the Quran, the holy book of Islam. Islam is a monotheistic religion with an ethical code based in part on the Five Pillars of Islam. Muhammad started preaching and forming the first communities of Muslims. He and his followers were persecuted in Makkah and moved north to Madinah. There Muhammad became both a religious and a political leader. After eight years in Madinah, he led a military force that easily conquered Makkah.

Section 2 The Arab Empire and Its Successors
After Muhammad's death Abu Bakr was named caliph. The Arabs rapidly embarked on a period of massive conquest. Under Abu Bakr's leadership, Islam grew and spread. Since there was no established line of succession, After Abu Bark, disputes and assassinations marked the rein of the early caliphs. Under the Umayyad dynasty, an ill-fated revolt led to a permanent schism that divided Islam into two branches—Shia and Sunni. The Abbasid dynasty displayed a greater openness to non-Arab participation in civic life and oversaw a thriving trading empire. However, Seljuk Turks began to take over parts of the Arab empire. When they threatened the heart of the Byzantine Empire, European crusaders came to the aid of the Byzantines. The century of Crusades did not have an enduring influence, except to create enmity between Christians and Muslims. A century later, Mongol invaders swept through the region, destroying entire cities. Egypt, which remained free of Mongol control, became the new center of Islamic civilization.

Section 3 Islamic Civilization
Overall, the period of the Arab Empire was prosperous. Aided by the development of banking, the Arabs carried on extensive trade by land and by sea. Cities such as Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus were the regional centers. Meanwhile, farming remained the source of livelihood for most people. Islam held that all people are equal in the eyes of Allah. In reality, however, equality was not strictly upheld. Class divisions were common, and both slaves and women faced various restrictions. Slaves sometimes gained their freedom. Early Muslim women enjoyed many rights, but these rights were eroded by older customs and traditions.

Section 4 The Culture of Islam
A major cultural contribution of the Arabs was the translation of the works of major Greek philosophers into Arabic. It was through the Muslim world that Europeans recovered the works of Aristotle and others. The Muslims were also thinkers and creators in their own right. Islamic scholars wrote commentaries on Greek philosophy, developed algebra, and made important contributions in astronomy, navigation, and medicine that would be adopted in Europe. In a major work, the Arab historian Ibn-Khaldun argued for a cyclical view of history. The great works of Middle Eastern literature include the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam and The 1001 Nights. Mosques from Iraq to Spain offered magnificent examples of Islamic art and architecture. Ornately decorated palaces, such as the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, also reflected Islam. Islamic art typically consisted of Arabic letters, natural plants, and arabesques. Human representations were avoided in accordance with Islamic tradition.