Height+and+Decline+of+Islam

Islam expanded rapidly in its early years, influencing parts of Persia, Palestine, Egypt, North Africa, and Spain. During this time there also improvements in medicine, science, and technology. By the 13th century Islam saw a relative decline beginning. This was because they felt like technological and scientific improvements and advancements were somewhat unnecessary by then. This is how they started falling behind in the modern world.The Umayyads were seen by the Shi’ah as a symbol of unjust government, still today the shi’ah criticize political figures and they compare them back to the Umayyads (7th century). During the Umayyad dynasty, which lasted for around a century, Islam grew both size and power wise.



Despite this they faced the threats of the kharijites and the shi’ah, with especially the shi’ah spreading propaganda against them. This and other Muslims being unhappy because of what they thought was unfair distribution of wealth contributed to a revolution. By 750 the Umayyads were on the defensive, while much of the empire had fallen to the revolutionists. After that they selected a new caliph, and the Umayyad rule ended.

The Abbasid Caliphates ruled, and they were favored more by the people than the Umayyads. They established an appeal to non-Muslims as well as Muslims. They worked hard, especially near the years leading up to 800, to overcome political challenges that presentedthemselves because of the widespread empire.

Part of why they fell behind seems to be because of their religion. They didn’t value improvements in technology and science. Around the same time as Europe was going through arevolution, the Islamic world was not progressing.

While Muslim scholars say that the Quran does encourage gaining knowledge, a lot of it was specified to nature. They developed science but in the 12th century the scholars decided that what they were looking for was in nature and the Quran. What followed was mostly the end of scientific advancement in the Muslim world.This contributed as to why they fell behind at a time when the rest of the world was advancing. The Quran also says no to violance. This means invading and expanding is discouraged. Wars fought by Muslims have been considered self defense. Islam, though, is the 2nd largest religion in the world. It is also one of the fastest growing.