Ch+14+State+Structure

Islam is a monotheistic religion that spread rapidly throughout Eurasia. The holy law that rulers used to govern was known as the Sharia, whick was used after Muhammed's deth. I had rules for almost every aspect of life, including marrige, family life, inheritance, slavery, business, communication relationships, political authority and crime. This law transformed Islam into more than a religion. It became a way of life with ethical and social values derived from islamic law.

After Muhammed's death, the islamic leaders expaded their military rule, sprading teir poliical and cutlural influence far past Arabia.

Another important factor that helped Islam were the caliphs (literally means"deaputy"). Abu Bakr was the first chosen one. Muhammed's advisors chose him after Muhammed's death. he became the head of state. chief judge, religious leader and military commander.

Islam continued to expand, but after Muhammed died, there were disputes over who should take over as the leader. It split into two sects: Sunni and Shia. The Sunnis ("traditionalists") believed anyone could be the caliph, while the Shias believe that only direct descendents of Ali should be the caliphs. This difference in belief is what split Islam into these two main sects.

In 661 C.E., the Umayyad dynasty temporarily solved the problem of succession. They established the capital at Damascus (in Syria) and ruled the dar-al-Islam (house if Islam) for the intrests of the Arabian military aristrocracy. To encourage others to convert to Islam, they imposed a tax, called jizya, on all those who didn't convert. They discriminated against all non arabs, reguardless if they converted or not. It fell in 750 C.E. due to the unrest of the conquered people and the residence of the Shia.

Immediately following the Umayyads, the Abbasid dynasty was established in 750 C.E. Abu al-Abbis, a descendant of Muhammad's uncle, allied with the Shias and non-Arab Muslims and overthrew the Umayyad in 750 after killing their clan. They showed no favoritism in their rule, and their empire expanded but they didn;t conquer. They modled their government after the Persians and the central court ruled from Baghdad. They used ulama ("people with religious knowledge") and quadis (judges) to rule. The high point of the dynasty wwas Harun al-Rashid (786-809 C.E.). The decline of the Abbasids was because of struggled beween sons for power leading to civil war, governors who built their own power bases, popular uprisings, peasant rebellions,Persian capture of Baghdad in 945 and the Saljuq Turks controlled the imperial family.

by Alli Matthews and Chelsea Soares

checked by Angelica williams