dar-al islam (1.2)

Abbasid Caliphate Dates

750-1258 CE, led by Arabs and Persians, later shaped by Turkic peoples. Ruled vast Islamic empire until Mongol conquest.

Abbasid Caliphate Conflicts

Faced challenges from Central Asian nomads, European Crusaders, Mamluks, Mongols, Seljuk Turks. Lost power as trade routes shifted north.

Abbasid Caliphate Trade

Baghdad, a trade hub, connected Asia, Europe, North Africa. House of Wisdom fostered scholarly exchange across Afro-Eurasia.

Abbasid Caliphate Religious Policy

Allowed Christians free access to Jerusalem, unlike later Seljuk restrictions. Prompted Crusades to restore Christian access.

Abbasid Caliphate Merchants

Viewed positively, following Muhammad’s merchant background. Drove Silk Road and Indian Ocean commerce post-1200.

Abbasid Caliphate Women

Higher status than in Christian/Jewish societies; wore hijabs, could study privately. Urbanization post-1200 limited women’s rights.

Abbasid Caliphate Dress

Women wore hijabs; men wore turbans or skull caps. Reflected cultural norms adopted from pre-Islamic traditions.

Seljuk Empire Dates

1050-1300 CE, Turkish slave soldiers who replaced Abbasid political power. Extended rule from Middle East to Western China.

Seljuk Empire Society

Pastoral nomadic tribes; reduced Abbasid caliph to religious authority. Blocked Christian access to Jerusalem, sparking Crusades.

Seljuk Empire Innovations

Developed algebra, trigonometry, calculus. Advanced mathematics influenced post-1200 Islamic scholarship.

Nasir al-Din al-Tusi

Islamic scholar (1201-1274), contributed to astronomy, mathematics, philosophy. Built advanced observatory; established trigonometry as a discipline.

Mamluk Sultanate Dates

1250-1517 CE, formed by enslaved Turks seizing Egypt’s government. Facilitated cotton and sugar trade with Europe.

Mamluk Sultanate Society

Mamluks, enslaved Turks, advanced as soldiers, bureaucrats. Declined as European sea routes bypassed their trade.

Mamluk Sultanate Governance

Theocracy using shariah law; hosted university in Cairo. Defeated Mongols in 1258, preserving Islamic rule.

Ibn Khaldun

Historian (1332-1406), founded historiography and sociology. Influenced Jewish philosopher Maimonides with secular works.

‘A’ishah al-Ba’uniyyah

Prolific female Muslim poet (1460-1507), wrote “Clear Inspiration” honoring Muhammad. Contrasted intellectual Muslims with introspective Sufis.

Islamic Expansion

Post-632 CE, spread from Arabia to India, Spain via conquest, trade, missionaries. Tolerated monotheists, fostering cultural exchange.

House of Wisdom

Baghdad’s Abbasid learning center, drew global scholars. Transferred Greek, Indian, Chinese knowledge across Afro-Eurasia.

Crusaders Response

European Christians fought Seljuks to reopen Jerusalem access post-1200. Crusades impacted Islamic-Christian relations.

Mongol Impact

Conquered Abbasids, ended Seljuk rule in 1258. Stopped by Mamluks in Egypt, preserving Islamic governance.

Trade Route Shifts

Baghdad lost centrality as northern routes grew, reducing wealth. Impacted Abbasid economic power post-1200.

Islamic Cultural Region

Post-Abbasid states adopted shariah, shared knowledge via trade. Universities in Baghdad, Cordoba, Cairo fostered innovations.

Islamic Scholarship

Translated Greek classics, Indian mathematics; adopted Chinese paper-making. Laid groundwork for European Renaissance.

Sufism Role

Emphasized mystical introspection; missionaries adapted local traditions. Spread Islam, winning converts post-1200.

Islamic Merchants

High status due to Muhammad’s trade background; required charity. Drove Silk Road, Indian Ocean commerce.

Islamic Slavery

Prohibited enslaving Muslims, monotheists; permitted others from Africa, Central Asia. Enslaved women had market, performance roles.

Islamic Women Status

Higher than Christian/Jewish; could inherit, remarry, divorce, use birth control. Testimony worth half a man’s under shariah.

Islamic Women Practices

Pre-Islamic head covering became hijab; harems housed wives, concubines. Urbanization limited women’s rights post-1200.

Muhammad’s Policies

Ensured dowries to brides, banned female infanticide. Elevated women’s status, allowing business ownership.

Umayyad Spain

Ruled al-Andalus from 711, capital Cordoba; defeated by Franks at Battle of Tours (732). Promoted trade, tolerance with Christians, Jews. Islamic scholarship and science laid groundwork for Renaissance and Scientific Revolution in Europe. Controlled as Muslim forces defeat Byzantine across N Africa and invade Spain from south.

Al-Andalus Culture

Cordoba’s library, scholar Ibn Rushd influenced Jewish, Christian thinkers. Transferred Chinese paper-making to Europe.

Battle of Tours

732 CE Islamic loss to Franks halted expansion into Western Europe. Ensured Christian dominance in region.

Dhow Ships

Indian/Chinese-designed vessels carried trade goods across Islamic networks. Supported commerce but less effective for warfare.

Muhammad

Last and most prophet in Islam, initially spread Islam, died in 632.