Islam Dynasties

After Ali was asssassinated their was a 5 year civil war until the Umayyad’s took control

The Umayyads ruled from 661CE - 750CE. The Umayyad capital was Damascus and it was in Syria. The Umayyads were an Arab based empire. They had a strong military, navy and were centralized. They reached as far west as Iberia (Spain) and as far east as present day Pakistan. The Umayyads set up a coinage system. They Umayyads also accepted women and women were allowed to be a part of the military.

The Abbasids ruled from 750CE - 935 was the golden ages and it ended in 1258CE. They kept classical things around from previous dynasties. The Abbasids capital was Baghdad (modern day Iraq). The Abbasids were known for the instuition of learning: the House of Wisdom in Baghdad. Learning was important to the Abbasids. One of the key things they learned about at the univesity was medicine. Harun al - Rashid was the 5th Abbasid caliph who ruled from 786CE - 809CE. He was remembered during the Golden Ages as the leader that set up scholarships, hospitals, mosques and post offices for his citizens. Women lost all their rights during the Abbasids. They can’t go outside and have to cover themselves. In 1258 CE the Mongols take down the Abbasids.

Two major groups rise after Mohammed's death the Shi'te and the Sunni

Shi'te - They believed that the leader of Islam should be blood related to Mohammed and only about 10% of the world believes this now. They're mostly in the middle east only.

Sunni - They believe that the leader of Islam should be a central popular religious figure and 90% of the world is Sunni. They're everywhere else in the world.

Imam - A sunni leader who leads prayers and the community at a mosque

Twelve Shi'te Imams - They have been chosen by God to be perfect examples to lead the Muslim people and only some Shi'te believe this.