Birth of the Islamic State
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• Linguistic and ethnic unity which helps Islam and conquests.
• During lifetime of the Propht – Quraysh network based at Haram at Mecca – leading commercial organization in northern and Western Arabia – success based on prestige of Haram and popularity of fairs that took place under its protection.
• Move to Medina openness of Islam – no longer rely on old system of protection – new form social organization needed.
• Muhammad begins struggles with Meccans early on – best way providing for supporters and of attracting new recruits – not until Quraysh subdued would Islam be more than a cult in Medina, attacked trade caravans to starve city.
• 630632  -  Muhammad after consolidating Mecca spends most of his time expanding influence among the Arabs.  Muhammad concentrates on road to Medina – but many tribes came and join umma, worried about not being part of such a large organisation.
• Death propaganda and diplomacy gains Muhammad much support across Arabian peninsula – no means universal.  Much support from supporting one side in a feud – other side treats him as enemy.
• Large numbers of people ignorant of Islam – problem became apparent after Muhammad’s death in 632.
• Muhammad competed with and eventually incorporated alliances which had formed part of Meccan commercial commonwealth.  Umma described as a “super-tribe” – defended members against outside attack, organized raids and provide a framework for solving internal feuds.  Emphasis on settling disputes peacefully
• Universality of Islam radical break with pagan cults and accounts for much of the dynamism of the emerging community.  Muhammad as superior to a traditional tribal leader a summa was to a traditional tribe.
• Closeness to prophet got elite status – Muhajirun and Ansar – not many as close at Abu Bakr.
• Take-over of Mecca added very important element – Meccan leaders.  Bought skill and contacts yes – proved vital for expansion and administration – noble families of Mecca, Umayyads led by Abu Sufyan felt they had natural rights to positions of leadership – resented by Ansar and Mhajirun endured so much for Islam.  Mainly urban, Nomadism frowned upon.
• Not new management of Meccan system – old system series of agreements among equals – expansion of Islam meant imposition of authority of Muslim elite by force if necessary.  Umma could not stand still – had to expand or disintegrate – so long as there were Arabs who did not accept authority of Muhammad – ideological position of Islam would be challenged – if raiding within community to be abolished outlet had t be found for martial energies of tribesmen and another source of revenue for impoverished nomad. Muhammad knew this and expeditions to Syria pointed this way. Islam religion of all humanity – not just Arabs, no reason umma in Medina should be confined to Arabic-speaking peoples – Islamic conquests – natural continuation of the prophet’s work.

Other Notes in this Category

1. army – its size and effectiveness for the defense of the eastern borders
2. Birth of the Islamic State
3. Byzantine authority and the nomads – divergent views
4. Byzantine reliance on arab military resistance
5. Byzantium and the early islamic conquests
6. Caliphate of ali – 656 – 661
7. Conquest and division in the time of the rashidun caliphs
8. Difficulty in devising defence for Syria
9. Elements of Failure and Endurance
10. End of the Ancient Economy
11. Foundation of the marwand caliphate and the achievemnet of ‘abd al-malik
12. Islamic conquests
13. Limitations defense-in-depth strategy
14. Military leadership of heraclius
15. relevance of recent war with persia
16. Richard n. frye – arab conquests in iran
17. State of strategy and warfare
18. The matric of the muslim world:
19. The umayyad caliphate
20. Umar and the early islamic conquests – 634 – 644
21. Whittow – making of byzantium

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