Describe the split in the Muslim community caused by Muhammad’s death.
After the death of Muhammad in 632 AD, the Muslim community split into two factions: the Sunni and the Shia. The Sunni believe that leadership should be chosen based on the consensus of the Muslim community, while the Shia believe that the Prophet Muhammad designated his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, as his successor. This disagreement over leadership led to a division within the Muslim community that persists to this day. Over time, various theological and political differences have further contributed to the divide between Sunnis and Shias.
What was Muhammad’s role in establishing and spreading Islam?
Muhammad is considered the last prophet of Islam and the founder of the religion. He was born in Mecca in 570 AD and began receiving revelations from Allah in 610 AD. Over the next 23 years, he continued to receive these revelations, which were later compiled into the holy book of Islam, the Quran.
Muhammad played a central role in establishing and spreading Islam by preaching the message of monotheism and social justice to the people of Mecca. He faced opposition from the ruling Quraysh tribe, which led to the migration of Muhammad and his followers to Medina in 622 AD, known as the Hijra. In Medina, Muhammad established a community based on the principles of Islam and eventually returned to Mecca in 630 AD, where he peacefully conquered the city and established it as the center of Islamic authority.
Muhammad's leadership and teachings laid the foundation for the rapid spread of Islam throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond. His successors continued to expand the Islamic empire, reaching as far as Spain in the west and India in the east. Muhammad's role in establishing and spreading Islam helped shape the religion into one of the world's major faiths, with over a billion followers worldwide.
What factors helped the economies of the Muslim empires prosper?
(4 points)
1. Trade Networks: The Muslim empires were strategically located at the crossroads of major trade routes connecting East and West, allowing them to benefit from the lucrative trade of goods such as spices, silk, and textiles. They established extensive trade networks that facilitated commerce and brought wealth to the region.
2. Agricultural Innovation: The Muslim empires introduced advanced agricultural techniques such as irrigation systems, crop rotation, and new crops, which significantly increased agricultural productivity and allowed for surplus production. This led to economic stability and growth in rural areas.
3. Urbanization: The Muslim empires built elaborate cities with sophisticated infrastructure, such as mosques, markets, and public baths, which attracted merchants, artisans, and scholars. These urban centers became hubs of economic activity and innovation, contributing to the prosperity of the empires.
4. Patronage of the Arts and Sciences: The Muslim empires valued education, scholarship, and the arts, leading to significant advancements in fields such as mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and architecture. The patronage of scholars and artists by the ruling elites fostered a culture of intellectual and artistic creativity, which in turn contributed to the economic development of the empires.