The Caliphate: The Making of Empire

Transcription

1 YAQEEN ISLAMIC SEMINARY OF AMERICA The Caliphate: The Making of Empire Fall Term 2016 Instructor: Larry Yunus Anthony Course Information: Title: The Caliphate: The Making of Empire Class Meetings: Tuesday 6:30 p.m 9:30 p.m.

2 Course Description: Islam has not only stood for more than just a faith of 1.2 billion people, but has a complete political system. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) established a nation unlike any other nation the world has ever seen. The world s greatest empires have either been founded on blood lines, ethnicity, race, or language. The new nation of the Prophet was built on something revolutionary. The new nation was built on faith alone. After the death of the Prophet, the new nation of believers burst out of Arabia and founded the largest empire of all time. The Islamic Empire stretched to the footsteps of China, across the greater Middle East, through North Africa, to the Pyrenees of Spain. This course provides an in-depth analysis on the beginnings of the Islamic Empire. It engages the student with Islam as a world civilization. The course develops chronologically and aims to familiarize students with the history and cultures of the major periods that mark the beginning of the Islamic Empire; the Rashidun, the Umayyah Dynasty, and the Abbasid Empire. The course will examine the events and individuals that were instrumental in the consolidation of the Islamic State and the rise of the largest Empire that the world has ever known. The course will use a great deal of literature to examine the early formation, propagation, and the ultimate division of the Islamic Empire. Topics covered include the

3 Sunni-Shia split, the role of the convert, and Islamic Art and Architecture. The Caliphate: Rise of Empire is the first of a series of classes to examine the institution of the Islamic State to its early beginnings, to the Golden Age splendor, and its demise stretching over four (4) great eras and dynasties. The series will span over several semesters in future courses involving case studies of Al-Andalus and the Ottoman Empire. Course Requirements: Participation/Attendance: 20% Quizzes: 10% Final Paper: 40% Reflection Papers: 30% (4 Reflection Papers 7.5% each) Required Reading: The Muqaddimah by Ibn Khaldun The Great Arab Conquests by Hugh Kennedy The End of the Jihad State: The Reign of Hisham Ibn Abd Al-Malik and the Collapse of the Umayyads by Khalid Yahya Blankenship An Introduction to Shi i Islam by Moojan Momen Early Shi i Thought: The Teachings of Imam Muhammad al Baqir by Arzina R. Lalani Lost Islamic History: Reclaiming Muslim Civilization From the Past by Firas Alkhateeb When Baghdad Ruled the World by Hugh Kennedy Islam: A Short History by Karen Armstrong Student Outcome: Students will be able to critically analyze and understand the concept of an Islamic State, its formation and the evolution into the State s dynastic entities. Students will be able to analyze and understand the formation of the spiritual and legal schools that emerged during the evolution of the Islamic Empire as well as compare and contrast the major schools and movements. Students will become familiar with world history at the time of the Medieval Period. Students will understand and articulate the importance of history as a science in the larger Islamic context.

4 Course Policies: Promptness is expected and tardiness without a valid reason leads to interruptions in the class. Absences will only hurt the student s overall grade. If a student anticipates that he or she will be have excessive absences due to business trips or family issues, he or she most notify the instructor. Please have a valid reason for not attending class. You have invested time and money in taking this course so please take it seriously. Manners of Students of Knowledge: The goal in seeking knowledge is to become closer to Allah (subhanah wa ta ala). Make sure you come to class with the right intention. Be mindful of your conduct and attitude. The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not leave any monetary inheritance. His inheritance is knowledge, thus, we are following in that chain and are responsible for carrying on that legacy. Please come to class with that in mind. Jazakallah Khair. Course Outline: Sept. 3 (at 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.) Course Introduction/Why Study History? - Introduce students to course objectives including learning the importance of history particularly Islamic history. Historical geography will be covered. -The Father of Histiography: Ibn Khaldun Sept. 6 Background: The Medieval Period - Overview of the Medieval Period and its larger themes Sept. 20 Rashidun: The Successors - The Historians: EID AL ADHA BREAK SEPT Abu Ja far Muhammad ibn Jarir al-tabari Muhammad ibn Ishaq ibn Khiyar -Discuss the concept of the Islamic State

5 -Introduction to the Rashidun and the Sahaba in the early State Sept 27 Rashidun: Consolidation and Expansion -Bayah at the Saqifa - The Khalifah of Abu Bakr and Harb al Ridda -Umar Ibn Al Khattab, Al Amir Al Mumineen, and the campaigns of expansion Oct. 4 Rashidun: Al Fitnah -Discuss the Khalifah of Uthman ibn Affan and Ali ibn Abu Taleb -Who are the Khawrij? Oct. 11 Umayyah Dynasty: The Beginning of Empire -The emergence of Muawiyah s Dynasty -Introduction to figures, places and events that led to the Sunni-Shia split and the Tragedy of Karbala Oct. 18 The Sunni/Shia Split -Describe the imamate of Shia Islam and its ideology including historical events and the Shia sects. Oct. 25 The Sunni/Shia Split -Continue the discussion of Shi i Islam. Nov. 1 The Abbasid Revolution -Discuss the last years of the Umayyad Empire including the emergence of religious and scholarly movements during the period. -The Abbasid Revolt: The Revolution of the Minorities Nov. 8 The Golden Age of Islam: Dawn of the Renaissance -The Golden Age of Islam: Innovation and progress of the Empire including the mystical movements that arose during the Abbasids. Nov. 15 The Abbasids: The Greatest Dynasty - The Persian Khalifah - The Caliphate in depth THANKSGIVING BREAK NOV

6 Nov. 29 The Abbasids: The Division - The Competing Caliphates - The Puppet Caliph Dec. 6 Writing and Conference Day - Available by appointment to discuss final writing assignment. Dec. 13 Final Paper Turn-In