Early Islamic Empire & Dynasties

What is an empire?

A group of countries/territories conquered and controlled by one centralized government.

Why is it harder to control a large empire?

There are more cultures and groups to control, and communication over long distances is difficult.

What happened when Uthman was murdered in 656 AD?

It led to a power struggle and civil war between Mu'awiya and Ali.

Who was Ali?

Muhammad's son-in-law and a direct relative of Muhammad.

What happened when Ali was murdered in 661 AD?

His murder led to a split in Islam that continues today.

What are the two major groups that resulted from the split in Islam?

Sunnis and Shias (Shiites).

What is a dynasty?

A family that controls an area or empire over generations.

What dynasty took control after the civil war?

The Umayyad dynasty.

What was the original political capital of the Islamic Empire?

Medina.

Where did the Umayyads move the capital?

Damascus.

What was Medina originally called?

Yathrib.

What does Medina mean?

City of the Prophet.

Why was having a centralized capital important?

It made it easier to control a large empire and communicate with different areas.

Why would a capital in the middle of an empire be helpful?

Information and communication had to travel physically, so a central location made communication faster.

What was the main focus of the first four caliphs?

The Islamic religion.

What did the Umayyads change the focus of the empire to?

Trade and gaining wealth.

What was one drawback of having a large empire?

It was difficult to maintain control over many different cultures and large distances.

About what percentage of Muslims were Sunni?

About 83%.

About what percentage of Muslims were Shia?

About 16%.

Who are the Sufis?

A small Muslim group that rejected the luxurious, wealth-focused lifestyle of the Umayyads.

What does "Sunni" refer to?

Muslims who follow Muhammad's example and teachings, called the Sunnah.

What did Sunni Muslims believe about the first four caliphs?

They believed the first four caliphs were rightly guided.

What did Shia Muslims believe about who should lead Islam?

They believed the leader should be a descendant of Muhammad and that Ali should have been the leader.

Why did the Sufis reject the Umayyads' luxurious lifestyle?

They believed Islam should focus more on religion than money and wealth.

What caused the downfall of the Umayyad dynasty?

Religious and political opposition led rebel groups to overthrow the Umayyads in 750 AD. The Abbasids then took control.