Islamic History and Expansion

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What was the Islamic split after Muhammad's death?

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Sunni believed the leader does not need to be a descendant of Muhammad, while Shi’a believed the leader must be a descendant.

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Why did Islam spread rapidly?

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Islam spread rapidly because their rulers were tolerant to a point, Islam was appealing because it offered a level of equality that other religions did not, No forced conversion

Non Muslims pay an extra tax to keep their own religions —> creates good feelings with public and strong economic base

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What was the role of Jihad in spreading Islam?

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Jihad, or the struggle to be good, included the idea of spreading Islam as a holy goal.

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How did Islamic conquerors treat non-Muslims?

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Non-Muslims paid an extra tax to keep their religions, creating good relations and a strong economic base.

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What was the Rashidun Caliphate?

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The Rashidun Caliphate (632-661) was a non-centralized government that maintained existing political structures and used local administrators.

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What changes did the Umayyads bring?

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The Umayyads (661-750) centralized the state, shifted the capital to Syria, and replaced tribal traditions with an imperial government.

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How did the Abbasids differ from the Umayyads?

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The Abbasids (750-1258) were less Arabic-focused, more inclusive, and diminished distinctions between Arab and non-Arab Muslims.

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What was the Islamic Golden Age?

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Under the Abbasids, Islamic art and culture grew, with increased literacy, equality, and intellectual achievements.

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What was the House of Wisdom?

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The House of Wisdom in Baghdad was the largest library of its time, promoting translation and preservation of knowledge.

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What was the Translation Movement?

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The Translation Movement involved translating important educational texts into Arabic, preserving Greek and Roman knowledge.