A Thousand Years of Islamic History

Early Context

• 6th Century Context
  • Arabian Peninsula: Desert landscape, backyard of Persian Sasanian and Christian Byzantine Empires.
  • Ethnic/Cultural Groups: Nomadic Arab tribes, mostly polytheistic.

The Birth of Islam

• Muhammad (570 CE)

  • Birth in Mecca.
  • Chosen by God as the last prophet to spread monotheism.
  • Qur'an revealed to him, later compiled as Islam's central book.

• Formation of Muslim Community

  • Persecution in Mecca, migration to Medina (marking Islamic calendar start).
  • Unification of Arab tribes into a Muslim nation.

Succession Crisis

• After Muhammad’s Death (632 CE)
  • Establishment of Caliph title ("Successor").
  • The Rashidun Caliphs: First four caliphs, chosen based on ties to Muhammad.

Expansion and Internal Tensions

• Rashidun Caliphate

  • Rapid conquests from Iran to North Africa.
  • Internal tensions and assassinations of three caliphs.

• Sunni-Shia Divide

  • Dispute over Ali ibn Abi Talib's legitimacy as Muhammad's successor.
  • Shias supported Ali, Sunnis opposed, leading to a major religious rift.

Umayyad and Abbasid Dynasties

• Umayyad Dynasty (661-750)

  • Political system: Dynasty, Caliphate capital moved to Damascus.
  • Expansion to Iberian Peninsula.
  • Arab identity and administrative strengthening.
  • Downfall due to political/social divisions and massacres.

• Abbasid Dynasty (750-1258)

  • Ascension and relocation of capital to Baghdad.
  • Golden Age: Flourishing of arts, science, culture.
  • Decline in political/military power, multicultural evolution.

Regional Powers and Conflicts

• Buyid and Fatimid Dynasties

  • Buyid takeover of Baghdad, maintaining Sunni Caliph.
  • Fatimid expansion in North Africa, Egypt, calling for Abbasid overthrow.

• Seljuk Empire (11th Century)

  • Turkic migration, conversion to Sunni Islam.
  • Seljuks control Baghdad, defend against Fatimids.

The Crusades and Mongol Invasions

• Crusades (1095-1291)

  • European forces occupy Jerusalem.
  • Saladin’s rise, Ayyubid dynasty’s formation, reclaiming Jerusalem.

• Mongol Invasions (13th Century)

  • Genghis Khan’s expansion, Khwarazmian fall.
  • Hulagu Khan’s conquest of Baghdad, end of Islamic Golden Age.

Late Medieval Islamic Powers

• The Mamluks (13th-16th Century)

  • Rise post-Mongol invasion, victory at Ain Jalut.
  • Reestablishment of Abbasid Caliphate in Cairo.

• The Ottomans (14th Century Onwards)

  • Emergence under Osman, expansion into Byzantine territories.
  • Conquest of Constantinople (1453), marking end of Middle Ages.

Early Modern Period

• Gunpowder Empires
  • Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires.
  • Lasting influence, with the Ottoman Empire persisting until post-WWI.