ISLAM EXPANSION

BEGINNING

• Began after Ali was assassinated.
• The Umayyads were prominent merchants.
• Forced tax levies; jizya
• Consequence if not converted to Islam.

MID-SPREAD

• Location helped better communication.
• There were caliph "deputies"
• Took over Syria, Palestine, and most of the Mesopotamia from the Sassanids.
• They fought with the Shia.

UMAYYAD DYNASTY (630-750)

• Abu Bakr - 1st caliph "deputy"
• Started taking over other lands.
• Syria, Byzantine Egypt, Palestine, part of Mesopotamia,north Africa
• The riches were for the military
• Levied tax

UMMAYAD DYNASTY

• Administrative problems
• Tight centralized rule and favoritism
• Theocracy/Fascism
• Strongly Muslims

5 PILLARS OF ISLAM

• Must acknowledge Muhammad as the only prophet and Allah as the only god
• Must pray to Allah daily while facing Mecca.
• Must fast during the daylight hours of the month of Ramadan.
• Contribute alms for the relief of the weak and the poor
• If physically and financially able, must make one pilgrimage to Mecca.